Klay 1851 Navy

607 Views 11 Replies 4 Participants Last post by GRI, 8 d ago

SAA 44-40

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Sorry if this was a topic before, but as I do not frequent the Percussion Forum often I would like your opinion. I have a Second generation BP Series Klay 1851 Navy I purchased at the Colt Collectors Show many years ago. It is brand new never fired in its case with all accessories. Always thought Klay did a beautiful job over the standard second generation. Could you please tell me the current market value.
Many thanks.

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desron6

· #2 · 11 d ago

Please post pictures of the revolver & its case/accessories. Also, is it engraved?

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SteveR

· #3 · 10 d ago

The Klay Colts are tough to put a price on because they very rarely come up for sale..I met Frank Klay several times in the late 70s early 80s in Glastonbury CT. .Sure wish I had the means then to buy one or two of his Colts...

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desron6

· #4 · 10 d ago

Even more so because so very few of them were plain Jane versions; most were engraved.

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SAA 44-40

Discussion Starter · #5 · 8 d ago

Gentlemen,
Thanks for your response. I bought this direct from Frank Klay at the CCA show in Orlando, FL. in I believe 1988, where he had a table display. This is the Plain Jane version, and as I later found out most were engraved. Trying to establish a fair market value. The gun and case are in 100% condition as received from Mr. Klay. I will try and post pictures in a few days as I will be gone till later this week. And yes, I will probably put it up for sale.

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GRI

· #6 · 8 d ago

I would refer you to this 10 year old thread where the ones not engraved are $3,000. I have never heard of him and I would think it is a niche market.

Did Frank Klay produce 150 Klay Colts, or not?

I recently acquired a Klay 'in-the-white' 1851 Navy, serial number 23307. Frank Klay purchased 150 'in-the-white' Colts on 8 July 1983 (see his hand-written note on 1st attachment). It was his intent to produce 25 Klay Colts and 125 Klay Colts-Engraved (as referenced by Dennis Russell in his...

www.coltforum.com

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desron6

· #7 · 8 d ago

There’s one on Guns International right now listed at $6500. It’s engraved in the Gustavo Young style, with figured walnut grips. A few days ago it was marked ‘sold’, but apparently the buyer balked. Purple case lining, standard accessories.

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desron6

· #8 · 8 d ago

‘Gustave’, not Gustavo. Stupid auto correct.

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desron6

· #9 · 8 d ago

GRI said:
I would refer you to this 10 year old thread where the ones not engraved are $3,000. I have never heard of him and I would think it is a niche market.

Did Frank Klay produce 150 Klay Colts, or not?

I recently acquired a Klay 'in-the-white' 1851 Navy, serial number 23307. Frank Klay purchased 150 'in-the-white' Colts on 8 July 1983 (see his hand-written note on 1st attachment). It was his intent to produce 25 Klay Colts and 125 Klay Colts-Engraved (as referenced by Dennis Russell in his...

www.coltforum.com

Definitely a niche market thing. These guns are to 20th century production 1851 Navy models what the Haas/Acevedo Walkers were; the closest thing to the Colt originals in existence. Pricey, but still a fraction of the cost of a mint original. As an aside, Mr. Klay also produced a few accessories and cases for other Colt percussion pistols. Very few exist, but apparently a handful were sold.

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GRI

· #10 · 8 d ago

desron6 said:
Definitely a niche market thing. These guns are to 20th century production 1851 Navy models what the Haas/Acevedo Walkers were; the closest thing to the Colt originals in existence. Pricey, but still a fraction of the cost of a mint original. As an aside, Mr. Klay also produced a few accessories and cases for other Colt percussion pistols. Very few exist, but apparently a handful were sold.

I do not see it that way, not sure how it makes it closer to a First Generation (it is already an original Colt). As far as the reference to the Haas/Acevedo Walkers, it is more like a 3rd Generation Doug Turnbull Colt SAA. Perhaps, I am missing something and more information on them would be appreciated. Some companies have bought original modern copies from Colt of their First Generation guns in the white and made commemoratives. I do find them bringing the big bucks.

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desron6

· #11 · 8 d ago

The Klay Navy’s were re-worked; cylinders chamfered, lug beveled to correct contours, nipples correctly seated, trigger guard & back strap reshaped to proper dimensions, grip properly sized, trigger re-set to proper position with hammer down, etc.
As to the Walker, true, Haas did not mark the small parts (only visible when gun is disassembled), only put a cartouche on one grip, nor apply a pressure ridge on the cylinder, but they are far more analogous to an original Walker than any Colt reproduction. In fact, I am in possession of the prototype (model?) Walker which Colt pictured in their promotional photos and on the little black pamphlet that was in every ‘F’-series 2nd generation box, and even it is much closer to the originals in overall dimensions & features than the actual production guns. Apparently Colt was obsessed with making sure their production guns were immediately identifiable as reproductions.

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GRI

· #12 · 8 d ago

desron6 said:
The Klay Navy’s were re-worked; cylinders chamfered, lug beveled to correct contours, nipples correctly seated, trigger guard & back strap reshaped to proper dimensions, grip properly sized, trigger re-set to proper position with hammer down, etc.
As to the Walker, true, Haas did not mark the small parts (only visible when gun is disassembled), only put a cartouche on one grip, nor apply a pressure ridge on the cylinder, but they are far more analogous to an original Walker than any Colt reproduction. In fact, I am in possession of the prototype (model?) Walker which Colt pictured in their promotional photos and on the little black pamphlet that was in every ‘F’-series 2nd generation box, and even it is much closer to the originals in overall dimensions & features than the actual production guns. Apparently Colt was obsessed with making sure their production guns were immediately identifiable as reproductions.

Thanks, that is great information!

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