Price check, Colt black box 3rd Dragoon

[Malamute]

Anyone know what the going price is on these? Has the box, unfired. Very nice color case hardening.

[Old No7]

Prices over on GunBroker are all over the map; you should look there to compare condition. Good luck.

Old No7

[Malamute]

Yes, that's what I discovered when I looked, and why I asked here. Theres quite a range, I don't know which are the realistic ones and which are hopeful prices.

[jnyork]

Yes, that's what I discovered when I looked, and why I asked here. Theres quite a range, I don't know which are the realistic ones and which are hopeful prices.

Malamute, did you check the ASKING prices, or did you check the prices of the ones that have actually sold?

[Malamute]

Just asking prices, I don't know how to check sold prices. I should go look again I guess.


ETA: Looks like gunbroker requires an account to see completed sales.

Any suggestions where I can see completed sales without an account?

[Old No7]

OK, I just took a look at the Completed Auctions for "Colt 3rd Dragoon" over on GunBroker for you:

Colt 2nd Generation, Listed as lightly used
Started at $575, with $675 "Buy it now" -- but no bids

Colt Dragoon "Giuseppe Garibaldi" Limited Edition
This is a very nice cased limited edition Colt Blackpowder percussion pistol that even has the original cardboard cover box.
Started at $695, with $695 "Buy it now" -- but no bids

Colt 2nd Generation, New In Box
Started at $1, with $850 "Buy it now" -- but no bids

Colt Bicentennial Commemorative, New In Box
Started at $750, with No Reserve -- but no bids

ASM, Used
$300 "Buy it now" -- but no bids

Guess this won't help much, as none are selling -- but then again, if you are looking at one locally, offer $300 or $350 to start and work up slowly from there if you really want it. Just tell the seller they aren't selling...

FYI, when I got my NIB Colt Signature Series (3rd Gen) 1861 Navy, I paid $400 and thought I did pretty well on it.

Good luck.

Old No7

[Malamute]

Actually, I have one I need to sell. Trying to figure out fair price for both sides.

I asked elsewhere, somebody mentioned that the 2013 Blue Book showed $750 NIB, but I don't know how that reflects the actual market.

[Old No7]

Actually, I have one I need to sell...

Well in that case, start at $750 and work down slowly...

Old No7

[Pete44ru]

There's quite a range, I don't know which are the realistic ones and which are hopeful prices.

ALL unsold gun's "prices" (opening bids, starting bids, reserves, & buy it now) are fairy tales - until/unless somebody actually pays the price.

If you don't choose to sell it here for whatever, it's true value can be had by putting it in a 7 or 14 day auction, like www. gunbroker,com or www.gunauction.com


.

[Griff]

1 auction has ended in a sale on a Colt 2nd Generation 3rd Model Dragoon, sale price listed as $700

2 auctions have ended with no sale as the reserve was not met, high bids listed as, $300 & $400, reserve price was $800.

2 auctions have ended with "no bids" and minimums set at $695 for a "C" series and $750 for a Bi-Centennial Commemorative.

A last listed "no sale" was a no reserve auction but with a starting bid listed at $550 for a Colt 2nd Gen "C" series.

Hope that helps in your negotiations.

Edited to add, IIRC, the black box versions were the "Signature Series", finished by Tony Imperato's former company, Iver Johnson and licensed to be marked with the name "Colt". Not warranted by Colt, and don't bring quite the price the Colt 2nd Gens do. I'll do a second search for these.

[Griff]

The Signature Series has one completed auction on a 3rd mdl Dragoon: $480 after 18 bids.

[Malamute]

I don't think its a signature, they had a Sam Colt signature engraved/stamped on the backstrap didn't they?

Will go get the box. Ive just heard them called Black Box. No signature.

ETA: having computer problems. Trying to open another tab to google an image of the Colt Black Boxes locks it up. Don't have camera software in this one to take a pic and load it. Box says "The Authentic Colt Black Powder Series" on the end, with all the Colt paperwork/manual inside.

[Griff]

From a 2 year old post over on the ColtForum:

I know that Iver Johnson made some percussion revolvers, so I did an online search and found this info:

"Very briefly, let’s also not forget the history of the Colt 2nd Generation “C” Series and “F” Series and their relationship to Iver Johnson. It was Lou Imperato who persuaded Colt to assume production of their percussion revolvers. It is also Lou Imperato who had purchased Iver Johnson. Since Uberti had been producing the 1851 Navy since around 1959-60 and possibly the 1860 Army in 1962-63 for Navy Arms, Lou Imperato came to an agreement with Val Forgett to provide parts from Uberti for the Colt revolvers. These early revolvers were assembled and finished at the Colt factory thus the “C” Series. In 1977 after Lou Imerato had assumed direct control of the parts issue from Val Forgett, the “F” Series were produced at the Iver Johnson factory in Middlesex, NJ.

Now the interesting part, most replica Iver Johnson percussion revolvers have code dates between 1975-1978. It appears that Iver Johnson was importing finished replica revolvers from Uberti at the same time that they were supplying parts to Colt. When the Colt revolvers started being produced at Iver Johnson in 1977 the Iver Johnson marked replicas disappear. It is also interesting to note that the first “F” Series Colt revolvers were packed in the black boxes with a note that stated that they were produced at the Iver Johnson factory!

Thus we have importer marking, Iver Johnson, which is closely associated with the production of the Colt resumption of their percussion revolvers. The Iver Johnson marked revolvers were only imported for around two years. Exactly what models were produced is unknown at this time. RPRCA has four Iver Johnson revolvers in its collection:

Remington New Model Army
Remington New Model Army Target Version
1860 Army
Model Griswold & Gunnison Army .44cal.

Two other models that have been observed are the 1862 Pocket Police and the 1862 Pocket Navy."

I have two "C" 2nd Series 1851s, but no boxes; and, one Signature Series. I was told by Colt that the "C" and "F" series were assembled and finished by Colt from parts imported from Uberti. The Signature Series assembled and finished by Iver Johnson under license by Colt, also of Uberti parts, but unlike the C & F series, not warranted by Colt. I also have a Armi San Marco 1851 made of these same Uberti parts, fully interchangeable (except the barrel & frame as the pin spacing on them is different), including screws, grips, cylinder, grip frame, along with the ram and associated parts.

I know of a collector/shooter in MO that has a quite extensive collection of all these, and if you'd like, I'll contact him and ask for more info.

Yes, the Signature Series has a Samuel Colt signature on the back strap.

[Malamute]

Thanks for the details Griff. I'm not very well informed on the details of these. The model number on the box says F1740. Serial is 3055X.

The color case hardening looks more like Colts than others I've seen. will see if I can talk the old computer into working enough to get some pictures. I had a couple, but they weren't very close.

[Malamute]

Does $650 shipped sound in the realm of reasonable? I don't want to sit on it to hold out for the last dollar, just be reasonable for both sides. If I'm off, let me know.

The gun has a slight turn line, but has not been shot. I haven't messed with it, its mainly just looked good on the wall. Took it apart (barrel and cylinder) and cleaned it, it had a little dust here and there and some old oil. I believe I'm the second owner.

[Pete44ru]

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A picture (or three) DOES say a thousand words ! .

I would suggest posting it in our classifieds, since prices can sometimes be negotiable - especially if the indicated price is an "asking" price, like "$$$, OBO" ( or best offer).

I feel sure that the process will ascertain a price fair to all.

.

[Griff]

Does $650 shipped sound in the realm of reasonable? I don't want to sit on it to hold out for the last dollar, just be reasonable for both sides. If I'm off, let me know.

The gun has a slight turn line, but has not been shot. I haven't messed with it, its mainly just looked good on the wall. Took it apart (barrel and cylinder) and cleaned it, it had a little dust here and there and some old oil. I believe I'm the second owner.

I've been watching a couple of 1851s on Gunbroker where the asking price is in that range. Neither has a box, but the pictures look good. And, while I'm wanting to get another in the 4 digit range to mate with one of my main match guns for cowboy action, I just feel their starting points are a tad high. But that's just me.

[Malamute]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Been busy with Docs and such. Will probably get pictures and get it listed in the classifieds in the next day or so.

[Pete44ru]

Does $650 shipped sound in the realm of reasonable? I don't want to sit on it to hold out for the last dollar, just be reasonable for both sides. If I'm off, let me know.

I've been watching a couple of 1851s on Gunbroker where the asking price is in that range.

FWIW, a 3rd Dragoon is nothing like a Model 1851 - it's a more valuable, larger-framed "magnum" C&B revolver, on the order of a Walker (size-wise).

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