nevets
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 5
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Post by nevets on Jun 30, 2011 14:05:35 GMT -5
About 7 years ago I purchased a .45 without knowing much of anything, for $200. It turned out to be a Colt .45, Henry Nettleton marked, serial number 50XXX. All serical numbers, parts, are intact and nice condition.
All parts and pieces are great except for 2 distinguishing features.
The barrel was cut, back in the day, so it is flush with the ejector rod 4 1/2 inches or so. Very old alteration. The gun was nickled, back in the day, a very old alteration.
We have a Colt historical letter that we sent for, should be 7 1/2 inches and blued and it is all a correct HN shipped from US Army in a lot of 250.
Is this gun worth much?
It is not mint. Thanks much. Steve New member
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Post by patdaddy on Jun 30, 2011 14:11:20 GMT -5
Welcome! Well the fact that it has been cut and refinished subtracts a lot i'd say. Are all the parts number matching? i.e. the cylinder, grip frame, frame, etc? You may also be able to have it authenticated by this fellow: www.johnakopec.com/index.php?page=authenticationyou could probably have it restored.. davelanara.homestead.com/Index.htmlas to value, im not much help..but i'd love to see pictures! btw...i have a Colt 45 that shipped in 1877....
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nevets
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 5
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Post by nevets on Jun 30, 2011 14:16:57 GMT -5
I will post some pictures next week. All the serial numbers, and there are a bunch, match. I made a special wood velvet box for it that I saw in a Colt book. Came from my friends Indian artifact collection. Had been sitting in his basement since WWII. This gun did not make it to the big Butterfield's Western auction when he sold out. Thanks.
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Post by Mark Terry on Jun 30, 2011 14:22:11 GMT -5
Welcome! That's a great find and a treasure. We do need pictures.
Mark
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Post by patdaddy on Jun 30, 2011 14:30:34 GMT -5
yeah, they stamped the numbers on everything didnt they? mine all matches too. Mine was nickeled, but letters as Blue/Case Color...Mine was shipped to Schuler, Hartley & Graham in New York. I'm assuming they nickeled it, as i hear they would do that to fill orders. The nickel is almost all gone, so it was nickeled very very long ago.
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Post by zeus on Jun 30, 2011 14:30:39 GMT -5
If it were mine....I'd mail it to Alan Harton and have it refinished to the original specs. that would be a really cool gun to have around and you won't find anyone better to rebuild an original Colt than Alan!
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Post by patdaddy on Jun 30, 2011 14:32:55 GMT -5
Also, you may want to post this over on the Colt Forum..lots of collectors who specialize in this kinda thing over there.
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Post by jayhawker on Jun 30, 2011 18:26:15 GMT -5
Lets t say it is worth 10-20 times what you paid. I would leave it alone if it were myne.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,841
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Post by cubrock on Jun 30, 2011 21:51:24 GMT -5
A lot of it depends on whether the metal was heavily buffed/polished before the nickel job. If it still has crisp edges, flat flats, and sharp markings, it will be worth a lot more than if it is heavily buffed with rounded edges, dished screwholes, faint markings, etc.
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nevets
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 5
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Post by nevets on Jul 8, 2011 10:26:25 GMT -5
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,841
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Post by cubrock on Jul 8, 2011 10:40:44 GMT -5
Yes, it got buffed prior to refinish. A lot of damaged markings, some rounded edges and dishing of the screw holes. The refinish is part of its history, as is the cut barrel. A lot of surplussed Cavalry Models were so modified to make them more useable to their new, civilian owners. Really neat gun and worth about 10 times what you paid for it, give or take, to the right person.
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nevets
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 5
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Post by nevets on Jul 8, 2011 10:44:58 GMT -5
The cartouche is completely gone too. Lots of handling.
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Post by patdaddy on Jul 8, 2011 11:27:15 GMT -5
Thank you for posting pictures. A piece of history, a great piece to own.
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nevets
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 5
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Post by nevets on Jul 8, 2011 11:35:20 GMT -5
Glad to show others. As with other guns, I wonder about its history. Likely story, as I was told, barrel was cut, nickled to make prettier. Handle worn good. Has all the serial numbers intact and screws are fairly undamaged. Wonder if it did make it out west during the Indian battles? Born in 1878.
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Post by Frank V on Jul 8, 2011 13:50:24 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing, I think if it were mine I'd leave it alone & just as it is. Frank
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