[tonyque]

Hi all,

I've recently got into Colt revolvers, both SAAs and the old C&B models. I picked this one up at a local firearms store, but I'm having difficulty finding information on it. I believe from what I've been able to find, that it's a 2nd generation, but not positive. Would love some input if anyone can help! I'm also trying to figure out if I can at some point get a conversion cylinder for this, maybe from Taylors, and have one from Pietta or Uberti fit, and be safe to fire smokeless 38LC out of it. It was $500 out the door so I'm hoping I didn't overpay, but for the condition(seems to be unfired), I couldn't say no. Thank you! View attachment 688471 View attachment 688473 View attachment 688475 View attachment 688477

 

[fingersmcgee]

It is a 2nd gen, and you didn't spend too much. A Uberti conversion cylinder would be the one to fit to it. Keeping in mind that the barrels on .36 Navies are .375 in and the 38 special are .357.

And, Welcome to the forum

 

[gunner5]

It is a 2nd generation Colt 1861 Navy. The model number is F-1300. The serial number range is 40000 to 43165. The price range for the standard production models are roughly $600 to $900. So you did well on your purchase.

What puzzles me is the finish on your gun. There are two models of the 1861 Navy, 2nd generation: The standard production model (F1300) has a blue finish (below is the '2nd' serial number of the series - 40001) and the 8 stainless steel models (F1310 - this one is number 7 of eight) is 'stainless steel.' Could your gun be one of those Colt 'mysteries?'

 

[tonyque]

It is a 2nd gen, and you didn't spend too much. A Uberti conversion cylinder would be the one to fit to it. Keeping in mind that the barrels on .36 Navies are .375 in and the 38 special are .357.

And, Welcome to the forum

Thank you for the information! I've read that hollow based wadcutters might be my best friend when shooting through the conversion cylinder, so I might look into that.

 

[tonyque]

It is a 2nd generation Colt 1861 Navy. The model number is F-1300. The serial number range is 40000 to 43165. The price range for the standard production models are roughly $600 to $900. So you did well on your purchase.

What puzzles me is the finish on your gun. There are two models of the 1861 Navy, 2nd generation: The standard production model (F1300) has a blue finish (below is the '2nd' serial number of the series - 40001) and the 8 stainless steel models (F1310 - this one is number 7 of eight) is 'stainless steel.' Could your gun be one of those Colt 'mysteries?'

View attachment 688737 View attachment 688739

Thank you for all that awesome info. I think it's definitely the finish on the left. It might just be the lighting that was used when I took the pictures, but it definitely has that dark blueing from the first photo you posted.

 

[desron6]

If the OP’s ‘61 was, in fact, a stainless model, then he picked it up at about $20k below current value. They made only a handful of them.