Found a gun while digging today

[Spots]

301019? Hard to see in the pix, but looks like six digits

30409

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

[R_Bert]

Here is a beautiful example showing photos of all the matching numbers (several locations)..http://home.comcast.net/~gunspotz/1851colt.htm

 

Here is another, in your serial range - http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/images/Colt-1851-Navy-Revolver-california-gold-rush-civil-war-sam-colt-3rd-model-not-squareback/Colt-1851-Navy-Revolver-california-gold-rush-civil-war-sam-colt-3rd-model-not-squareback-7.jpg

Edited September 27, 2013 by R_Bert

[Spots]

Here is a beautiful example showing photos of all the matching numbers (several locations)..http://home.comcast.net/~gunspotz/1851colt.htm

Here is another, in your serial range - http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/images/Colt-1851-Navy-Revolver-california-gold-rush-civil-war-sam-colt-3rd-model-not-squareback/Colt-1851-Navy-Revolver-california-gold-rush-civil-war-sam-colt-3rd-model-not-squareback-7.jpg

This makes me almost 100% certain its a reporduction as mine doesnt have any serial numbers on the backstrap or trigger guard.

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

[R_Bert]

This makes me almost 100% certain its a reporduction as mine doesnt have any serial numbers on the backstrap or trigger guard.

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

Still, there has to be quite a story on that one, including your addendum.

[Erik88]

Very cool Spots You just randomly found this or were you using a metal detector? 

 

Post more pictures once you get it cleaned up.

[UncleJak]

I'm never this lucky. Great find! It is definitely a conversation piece.

sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[Spots]

Very cool Spots You just randomly found this or were you using a metal detector?

Post more pictures once you get it cleaned up.

Random. We were burying a new water line at an older guys house, and I heard my shovel hit metal while shovel out loose stuff. When I threw the shivel full outta the hole it flopped out and I grabbed it up

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

[Erik88]

That's incredible. Buy a lotto ticket.

[vontar]

with that picture and 2 feet down, it sounds like it has a chance of being real.

[Fourtyfive]

Enter the number here ....

 

http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/SerialNumberLookup.aspx

[Fourtyfive]

I think you have the real deal.

[Spots]

I think you have the real deal.

Maybe. The serial number indicates a real one, but it doesnt appear on the trigger guard or back strap anywhere? And the rest is to rusted to see anything. Im almost tempted to sand blast it, since I doubt itd be worth anything in current condition

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

[vontar]

Maybe. The serial number indicates a real one, but it doesnt appear on the trigger guard or back strap anywhere? And the rest is to rusted to see anything. Im almost tempted to sand blast it, since I doubt itd be worth anything in current condition

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

 

It might be worth more as found.  I suggest investigating that before cleaning it up.  Cleaning might actually devalue it.

[Fourtyfive]

It might be worth more as found.  I suggest investigating that before cleaning it up.  Cleaning might actually devalue it.

 

Agreed. 

[56FordGuy]

Maybe. The serial number indicates a real one, but it doesnt appear on the trigger guard or back strap anywhere? And the rest is to rusted to see anything. Im almost tempted to sand blast it, since I doubt itd be worth anything in current condition

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

 

I wouldn't clean it up just yet. 

 

If you do, try the electrolisys process instead of blasting. All you need is a battery charger, washing soda, water, and a plastic bucket. I'm sure you can find some scrap metal as well. It's incredibly easy and works really well. Much gentler on any original marking that might be there than any other method I've tried. 

[gun sane]

Not to steal Spots' thunder, but 35 years ago I was teaching scuba diving in a cove at Lake Travis near Austin, Texas.  I saw the imprint of a revolver lying in the mud and brought up a Colt Trooper.  The dive master called the sheriff, who ran the number to see if it was a wanted gun.  It wasn't hot so they let me keep it.  The dive master made me an offer and I accepted.  I thought I got a good trade, but I wish I had the Trooper now.

[TrickyNicky]

It might be worth more as found.  I suggest investigating that before cleaning it up.  Cleaning might actually devalue it.

  

Agreed.

+1. I wouldn't do a thing to it until I had a few folks more knowledgable than myself check it.

[Fourtyfive]

Is the trigger missing or is it just the shadows ?

[Fourtyfive]

I say put her in an oil bath and let her soak for now to stop further oxidation. Let the research continue.....

Edited September 27, 2013 by Threeeighty

[gun sane]

I've heard that many repros (new and old) have BLACK POWDER ONLY stamped on the barrel.  Can you make that out?

[McGarrett]

That was a real find for sure. I'm betting it's the real thing.

 

The only interesting thing I ever dug up on my property was an old glass milk bottle from a diary in Knoxville, can't remember the name right off. Mostly intact but has a small hole in it. 

[tnguy]

It was in the paper recently of the local fire department doing some dive training at a (small) lake here and they turned up a dozen firearms. I'm considering putting a couple of magnets in my tackle box.

[Erik88]

Not to steal Spots' thunder, but 35 years ago I was teaching scuba diving in a cove at Lake Travis near Austin, Texas.  I saw the imprint of a revolver lying in the mud and brought up a Colt Trooper.  The dive master called the sheriff, who ran the number to see if it was a wanted gun.  It wasn't hot so they let me keep it.  The dive master made me an offer and I accepted.  I thought I got a good trade, but I wish I had the Trooper now.

 

Very cool. What kind of shape was it in?

[gun sane]

Very cool. What kind of shape was it in?

 

Not too bad.  Fortunately it was fresh water.  I estimate it had been submerged only a couple of months.  After the trade, the dive master cleaned it up and said it shot pretty well.  He was only going to shoot .38s through it as a precaution.

[Guest tdoccrossvilletn]

[quote name="Spots" post="1039857" timestamp="1380248462"] Maybe. The serial number indicates a real one, but it doesnt appear on the trigger guard or back strap anywhere? And the rest is to rusted to see anything. Im almost tempted to sand blast it, since I doubt itd be worth anything in current condition Tapatalk ate my spelling.[/quote] It won't be worth much in its current state even if real. Id check though to see if its real. Ultimately though id probably refinish for display purposes. Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy. Edited September 27, 2013 by tdoccrossvilletn