Old Colt Revolver Serial Number Dating??

Felix · Mar 5, 2010

So someone i know has a old colt, 5 shot ball & cap revolver that he was wondering what the date was on it....He said he looked around a bit but couldnt really find anything. He doesnt know the caliber, but is pretty sure its before the 45, or not the 45 or sumthin like that....Anyways, anybody know a good site to look up the serial number on when i he lets me know the number?

wichaka · Mar 5, 2010

PM me the number, along with any markings on the gun and I'll get ya the approx. year.

BillM · Mar 5, 2010

Online serial number reference here: http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

Kind of sounds like your buddy doesn't have a clue about what he's got.
There were LOTS of different Colt cap-n-ball revolver models, each with
it's own serial numbers. You SURE it's 5 shot? That would narrow it
down a lot. Doesn't happen to have a folding trigger does it?

madcratebuilder · Mar 8, 2010

If it's a cap and ball Colt revolver it's 1836 to late 1860's. Five shoot means it's a pocket frame, so 1848 to 1862. Is it a .31 or a .36? Round barrel or octagon? Probably a 49'er, that is the most common, 249,000 made.

BillM · Mar 10, 2010

madcratebuilder said:
If it's a cap and ball Colt revolver it's 1836 to late 1860's. Five shoot means it's a pocket frame

Well---It COULD be a Patterson. But you are probably right, there were a lot
more of the various 5 shot pockets.

madcratebuilder · Mar 10, 2010

BillM said:
Well---It COULD be a Patterson. But you are probably right, there were a lot
more of the various 5 shot pockets.

I could be, I should have added "probably" Does any one in Oregon own one? A real one that is. I have a old counterfeit, about as close as I well ever get.