Rating and value of Colt rifles

If you own a Colt rifle and would like to know its value, or if you don't know, the period and model of your gun, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can offer you their expert appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your weapon, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market.

Then, if you want to sell your property, we'll point you in the right direction to get the best possible price.  

Rating and value of Colt rifles

Colt rifles are highly sought-after by collectors. However, price differences can be considerable, depending on model and state of preservation.

Prices for these objects can now rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Buyers from all over the world are interested in sales of certain rare pieces.

The price at which they are selling on the art market ranges from €450 to €16,800, at the moment, a substantial difference but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these weapons.

In 2024, a Colt Paterson Model 1839 revolver was sold for €16,820, against an estimate of €3,000-4,000.  

Value order ranging from simple to prestigious

History of Colt rifles   

Colt rifles have military origins. Production began in the 19th century, following the success of Colt revolvers, with the intention of supplying long guns to the American armed forces.

The first true Colt rifle was the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carabine, which featured a revolving cylinder like those found on revolvers, but this design proved unreliable in the field.

Colt therefore opted for a transition to more modern mechanisms, gradually abandoning the barrel system in favor of safer mechanisms, particularly after the emergence of the repeating rifle.

Colt would collaborate with the US government throughout the 20th century, becoming a major supplier to the US Army, especially with the production of the M16 and M4 rifles, which were derived from the AR-15 rifle designed by Eugene Stoner.

One of the most emblematic models, the Colt M4, was adopted by the US Army in the 1990s. Compact, lightweight and versatile, it became the standard weapon for many units around the world.

Colt rifles are also enjoying strong growth in civilian circles (sport shooting, collectors) as well as in police forces, thanks to their reliability and modularity.

Colt thus became the symbol of an American tradition. Through its rifles, Colt embodies both technical innovation and the gunmaking heritage of the United States, between the conquest of the West, modern warfare and the contemporary market.

Historical focus: the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine during the American Civil War

The Colt 1855 carbine is an innovative but controversial weapon. Used by some Northern troops during the American Civil War, it was a barrel gun derived from the Colt revolver.

Its design was problematic in that its rotating barrel exposed the shooter to the risk of "chain fire", when several chambers ignited at the same time, causing serious accidents and, in particular, injuries to the hand holding the barrel.

The anecdote is documented: soldiers from the First Michigan Cavalry Regiment complained about the incidents, and many reported refusing to use the weapon on operations, preferring the safer percussion rifles.

Some soldiers modified their rifles themselves, adding leather or fabric trimmings to protect their left hand, or limiting their powder charge to avoid multiple flashover.

Faced with the dangers and criticism, the army quickly reduced orders for the Model 1855, and Colt had to rethink its plans for long guns. This setback marked a turning point in the company's history, and the system was later abandoned in favor of more modern repeating weapons.

This anecdote illustrates both Colt's technological daring and the practical limits of certain innovations, and reflects the delicate balance between invention and battlefield efficiency.

The history of Colt

The company was founded in 1836 by Samuel Colt, inventor of the revolver with rotating barrel, with the creation of Colt's Patent Fire-Armes Manufacturing Company.

It revolutionized industrial weaponry with the Colt 1836 revolver (Paterson model), which marked a decisive advance in personal weaponry, offering repeated firepower without immediate change.

Colt models, notably the Navy 1851 and the Peacemaker 1873 (Single Action Army) became benchmarks during the conquest of the West and in the major conflicts of the 19th century.

Colt soon became an official partner and supplier to the US Army, building its reputation through the American Civil War, the Indian Wars and both World Wars.

The company participated in the modernization of firearms with semi-automatic models such as the Colt M1911, designed by John Browning and used for over a century.

Colt adapts to modern conflicts. From the 1960s onwards, Colt won the contract to manufacture the AR-15/M16, an emblematic weapon of the Vietnam War, and then the M4 Carbine in the 1990s.

Despite periods of economic crisis, partial bankruptcies and increased competition (Winchester, Smith & Wesson ...) Colt remains a global icon in the arms industry, combining historical heritage with technical innovation.

Knowing the value of a Colt rifle

If you happen to own a Colt rifle from any period and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it.

If you want to sell your property, our specialists will also help you find alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.