Bought an 1865 & Looking for Info
Bought an 1865 & Looking for Info
Bought this not long ago, I believe it might be a re-blue but not sure. I was told the grips werent original but look like they are to me. S/N appears to be 134255 if I read it right, what are the marks on the other section of the grip? IGV ? Anyone have history on it??? Also, the front sight does not look correct. Here are some pics, I'm looking to get as much history on it as possible. Thank you! Todd
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Re: Bought an 1865 & Looking for Info
How do I get approved for public viewing of this post? I cant figure out how to pm the mod for it?
Re: Bought an 1865 & Looking for Info
Can anyone help with info on this pistol?
Can Anyone see this post?
The post wasnt visible for quite a bit of time and I havent gotten ANY responses on it.
Re: Bought an 1865 & Looking for Info
Hi Todd,
Your pistol is a New Model Army, and was made Feb of 1865. Production ended in March of 1865. Your pistol has Gov sub-inspector's marks so it was made on a Gov contract. The left grip will have a cartouche of the final inspector's acceptance mark.
I agree that it was re-blued, and the front sight has probably been replaced. It is possible that since this is a late production gun, a front sight from a Belt model was used. Not likely, but possible. It is more probably that the front sight was replaced.
The numbers on the cylinder should match the serial, but this one doesn't. The cylinders were only numbered if they required hand fitting to the gun. There should be matching serial numbers on the underside of the barrel, and on the trigger guard tab. That may give you a better indication if the gun is all original or a parts gun.
I have no idea what the letters on the right grip frame stand for.
Good luck with your search,
Daniel
Your pistol is a New Model Army, and was made Feb of 1865. Production ended in March of 1865. Your pistol has Gov sub-inspector's marks so it was made on a Gov contract. The left grip will have a cartouche of the final inspector's acceptance mark.
I agree that it was re-blued, and the front sight has probably been replaced. It is possible that since this is a late production gun, a front sight from a Belt model was used. Not likely, but possible. It is more probably that the front sight was replaced.
The numbers on the cylinder should match the serial, but this one doesn't. The cylinders were only numbered if they required hand fitting to the gun. There should be matching serial numbers on the underside of the barrel, and on the trigger guard tab. That may give you a better indication if the gun is all original or a parts gun.
I have no idea what the letters on the right grip frame stand for.
Good luck with your search,
Daniel
Re: Bought an 1865 & Looking for Info
Wow! Thanks for all the info! I thought the front sight was off, what a piece of history, too bad on the re-blue. Any idea on the value on it? I wont sell it but just curious. I didnt see any inspectors mark on the grip inside or outside. or a s/n on the triggerguard anywhere. Was it a common thing to have a mismatched cylinder? Barrel is marked with the s/n
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Re: Bought an 1865 & Looking for Info
Hi Todd,
The bbl and frame numbers match, so I'd guess the trigger guard also matches. The trigger guard has to be removed, and the number will be on the little tab, at the rear of the trigger guard that fits into the frame.
It's no unusual for the grips to be replaced. the cartouche will be 2 or 3 initials in an oval near the bottom of the left grip.
Since the cylinders are rarely numbered, it's hard to know how often they were mismatched, or when it might have been replaced. Your gun is very late production, and most of those went straight into military storage and were never issued.
Two things on value. First, we never give an estimate of value without having the gun in hand. Second, with a re-finish and a replaced front sight there is no way to do more than give a general guess. Some will pay a decent price for a nice gun even if re-finished, but to collectors the re-finish would kill a sale.
It's still a nice gun, and makes for a good shooter, or a nice display. Enjoy it!
Daniel
The bbl and frame numbers match, so I'd guess the trigger guard also matches. The trigger guard has to be removed, and the number will be on the little tab, at the rear of the trigger guard that fits into the frame.
It's no unusual for the grips to be replaced. the cartouche will be 2 or 3 initials in an oval near the bottom of the left grip.
Since the cylinders are rarely numbered, it's hard to know how often they were mismatched, or when it might have been replaced. Your gun is very late production, and most of those went straight into military storage and were never issued.
Two things on value. First, we never give an estimate of value without having the gun in hand. Second, with a re-finish and a replaced front sight there is no way to do more than give a general guess. Some will pay a decent price for a nice gun even if re-finished, but to collectors the re-finish would kill a sale.
It's still a nice gun, and makes for a good shooter, or a nice display. Enjoy it!
Daniel