Colt Pepperbox
 

I have a question for all of you vintage (pre-civil war) firearms buffs.

A friend of mine has an original Colt Pepperbox. For anyone not familiar with this particular firearm, it was made from roughly late-1830s to the late-1840s. Production quit when Colt produced the first true revolver. The Pepperbox was a cap and ball pistol that had four rotating barrels.

Back to my question, anyone have any idea what it is worth (approximately)?

It has a serial number of about 13,6**, and has not been fired since his grandpa bought it at an auction in the 1930s.

Nice gun if it's in good shape.

No, I've no idea what it is worth, but I couldn't find a "Colt Pepperbox", but what I did find was in the $150 - $500 range depending on make and condition.

I would warn you to not take it to a gun dealer, unless you know him personally.

If he's serious, he can take it to an antique dealer who specializes in antique firearms for an official appraisal.

I'd try a gun expo.

Does it look like this?

http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/shenandoah/pepper2.jpg

Actually, yeah it does, but it has a plain brass side and the handle is plain wood. On one of the sides there is Colt and the serial number underneath it.

Unlike every other one I have found, the one my friend has is an actual Colt, not one made by another company.

Maybe this one?

http://www.europa1939.com/infanteria/revolver/colt.JPG

Pepperbox
 

If you find an interested party, you could probably get $1500 to $3000 depending on the condition. Sorry about the “antique road show” range.