Help me identify this very old Gun?

[oktx]

Definitely not a Colt SAA, you can see the pivot for the loading lever, which is under the barrel, as opposed to an ejecting rod on the side of the barrel as in an SAA. I'm pretty sure it's a Navy, although as I said above, the 1851 Navy was probably one of the most copied, infringed-upon guns of all time.

It's also not a Patterson. Grip straps are completely wrong in profile.

The reason the grip straps are preserved so well is that they were silver-plated brass on most early Colts (including the Navy) instead of stell. As a result, they don't rust.

Thats cool, just takin a stab.

[Plain Lucky]

Any murders in the area in the last 50 years where they never found the weapon???

Might not hurt to check with the sheriffs department. Of course, he should be prepared for it to be taken in as evidence...

[Bullydog]

Sorry guys been away from the site since last night.

Keith it was about 6-8 feet down. He's proceeding carefully at this point in case anything else is down there.

No plans to clean it as of now, but a gunsmith is about to have it to make it safe (if it can be)

Everything points toward a Navy, the only holdup is seeing the 7th cylinder. Everyone who looks at it agrees it appears to have 7, not 6.

We did find a company who copied the navy and produced 3,500 .36 caliber 7 shot models, of which most have been destroyed or unrecoved. The only thing that is throwing us is the trigger guard. They were known to have made a few with the rounded guard, but the majority used a squared off guard. However, none of the rounded guard early models have ever been found, just old pictured showing how they look. Determining the number of cylinders is the key.

If its a 7 shot, this could be a truly outstanding find. If not its probably a navy and not worth much in this condition.

I'll update as we find out more...

[Reaper]

awesome find, you going to clean it up or leave it be...?

[47]

why is the grip not in the same state as the rest of the gun?

why is the grip not in the same state as the rest of the gun?

why is the grip not in the same state as the rest of the gun?

Because wood rots.

Because wood rots.

Because wood rots.