OT - 1851 Navy

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Were the trigger guards on the later guns brass plated steel or were they always solid brass or steel? Someone sent me a picture of what is purported to be an original 1851 Navy but the brass is worn away from the front of the trigger guard and I found that odd for a gun that would likely have been made around 1861.

Of course, the rest of the gun is mostly without finish but it's relatively pit free.

Image added ...

[gamekeeper]

London made Colts had iron trigger guards and USA made Colts had brass but I expect there are exceptions to every rule! Maybe when London ceased production spare parts may have been sent to the US.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Were the trigger guards on the later guns brass plated steel or were they always solid brass or steel? Someone sent me a picture of what is purported to be an original 1851 Navy but the brass is worn away from the front of the trigger guard and I found that odd for a gun that would likely have been made around 1861.

Of course, the rest of the gun is mostly without finish but it's relatively pit free.

Image added ...

The civilian market guns were brass grip frames with silver plating. What you are seeing as not steel showing through brass plating. It whats left of the silver plating on brass.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Thanks Steve, I know this isn't the BP forum but I knew that someone here would enlighten me. I learn something here just about every day.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool, one way or the other!

[KCSO]

+1 thats Silver plate that was NOT worn away! This is a good wear pattern showint that the gun has had typical use in that the silver is worn where the finger goes and where the holster rubbed most. This is something that a faker would husually miss when faking a gun. Looks like a real good Colt to me.

[Griff]

Yep, if that was steel under brass plating... I would claim "proof-positive" those old west gunmen used a 2-handed grip and a weaver stance!

[Tennessee Hayre]

There is just something about those old 1851 Colts that make me smile. Wounder if it was ever used in a gun fight or think how many poor souls it sent home.

[Cast Bullet Hunter]

+1 thats Silver plate that was NOT worn away! This is a good wear pattern showint that the gun has had typical use in that the silver is worn where the finger goes and where the holster rubbed most. This is something that a faker would husually miss when faking a gun. Looks like a real good Colt to me.

This is correct, a so-called "Civillian" 1851 with the silver plated trigger guard & back-strap. The silver plate has worn away on the high spots and edges revealing the brass base metal.