Steinar,

Although I agree that this gun is not a Colt manufacture, it may still be as old as the seller claims. A colt mainspring and trigger spring should be adaptable IMHO to make this gun functional. You may not have wasted your money just yet. We will keep you in prayer that you don't get cheated. But if this gun is really made before 1870 and not just designed before that date, it may be ever rarer that a Colt of that vintage. Please keep us informed on the auction progress, and if you end up with this gun, Please post a good photo essay on the parts and we will investigate it's origin further.

Since you are high bidder, why not ask the seller to send you good clear photos of any stamps or markings on this gun. Perhaps the origin will be easier to ascertain.

Steinar, what did you find out about the old cap and ball 5 shot?

I asked the seller to withdraw my bid on this item, and it was ok by him.

I believe it might be a post 1870 fabrication.. Any gun produced after that year, needs a license here in Norway. And as you guys probably know, that's not so easy to obtain, even for an active shooter like me. I 'could' in theory get a license for it, but then I would have to document participation in shooting competitions including that particular calibre. Wich raises the question; 'do I feel comfortable shooting this old thing?' Nah.. I rather not..
Sounds silly perhaps, but I don't want to risk owning a possibly post 1870 made firearm without a license, even if it's a pre 1870 model. These things are strict 'over here'.. so I don't want to be in any gray area concerning this.
Still not given up my dream of finding an original pre 1870 Colt to hang on the wall, it was just not this one :)

Would something like this cut in? Look at the second set of pics.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=17822

Missed this thread
 

Hi Allan,

Well you drop off the forum for a couple weeks - and I just about missed out on this discussion of your old Colt percussion. I'll throw in my $ 0.02 late.

As the rest of the board has commented - It's the 1849 pocket model in .31 cal.

I have my Grandads - as I also posted in the other thread listed.
Your stage coach hold-up scene roll mark on the cylinder has held up better than mine has.

I once found a detailed description on the web of that scene and the name of the engraver that did the original work for Colt. It was a marketing feature depicting a traveler defending hismself from several bad guys with the multi shot revolver. I had to look it up because on mine it's barely visible thru the wear & patina.

I don't think mine is up for shooting - but I have seen shooting replicas of the 1849 pocket models for sale in local shops for less than $200, and considered buying one.

The serial number link you provided gave a more granular year of production figures than I have seen before. Mine falls into the 1856 production range in that chart.

Regards,
Fritz.
Here's the picture of mine:
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...9_small_l_.jpg