1851 .31 cal navy

[7tharkinf]

I am talking to a guy who has a pistol for sale it?s supposedly a .31 cal replica arms steel frame 1851 navy. Anyone know what it?s worth and if it?s worth buying?9607

[Muley Gil]

In my experience, Replica Arms imported some well made replicas. However, 1851s were .36 caliber. I believe this is a 1849 replica in .31 caliber.

[7tharkinf]

Yes I thought so too.

[Occupied Maryland]

Looks like the .31 caliber 1849 model to me.

[7tharkinf]

Any idea on the worth?

[Ron The Old Reb]

Dose it have a round back or square back trigger guard? It's hard to tell from the picture.

[7tharkinf]

Dose it have a round back or square back trigger guard? It's hard to tell from the picture.




looks square.

[Ron The Old Reb]

If it's square it's a 1848 Baby Dragoon model 31 Cal. It is not a Navy. The Navy model is 36 cal. and much larger all most a big as the 1860 Army. If it's rounded then it's a 1849 Pocket model 31 cal. Both the Baby Dragoon and the 49 Pocket models are the same revolver it's just that people nicknamed the square back the Baby Dragoon because the Dragoons have square back trigger guards.

[7tharkinf]

Any idea on the dollar value?

[Ron The Old Reb]

First I am wrong the Baby Dragoon is a 1848 model it was made before the pocket model still the same revolver. As to it's value I have no idea. I don't think that anyone makes it anymore and it would depend on it's condition and how bad someone want's it for their collection. I have an old Dixie Gun Works catalog 2012 and they have it listed for $295.00. The one I have I bought about 20 years ago and I think I gave $75.00 for it. But I found it in a gun store down the road from me and they did not know what it was. Plus someone had taken it apart and did not get it back together right and messed it up. I got some new parts and put it back together and it worked fine. If I need it for my collection and it's in really nice shape I would go maybe around $200.00 If it'a a Uberti or Piatta not a San Marko.
I hope this helped you out.
Ron

[Hal]

1849s are 5 shot, are they not?

[J. C. Hall]

Some were 5 shot and some were 6 shot. I think all of the 1848's were 5 shot, I may be wrong, I am certainly not an expert.

[Ron The Old Reb]

All 1848's were 5 shot the 1849's were made in both 5 and 6 shot. Some 49's were made without loading leavers called the Wells Fargo Model.
I guess Colt felt Wells Fargo agents were good shots and didn't need to reload.