Antiques Roadshow guest gobsmacked as ‘most important gun ever made’ receives eye-watering valuation
A GUEST on Antiques Roadshow was left gobsmacked after his gun was valuated – and he found it was worth more than he ever dreamed.
The gentleman brought his early Colt revolver on the show for expert Bill Harriman to have a look at.
He only paid £150 for the gun in the 1970s, but decided to get it checked out on the programme.
The older man was shocked to be told it was “the most important firearm” Bill had ever seen on the Roadshow.
The leading British firearm expert explained: “This was the first firearm that used tiny percussion caps to produce a repeated effect and this pistol was made by Sam Colt in Paterson, New Jersey, and his patent was 1836.
“Production started probably around 1837 and looking at this, I think this is early in the series, I would say this was made in the first months of 1837.
“I’ve always found this one of the most iconic firearms ever made.”
Bill went on to say he’d only sold one of these weapons during his entire career.
He added: “I think this was the death knell of the Native Americans because they could not deal with troops sent against them who had so much fire power.
“When they were faced with that relentless volley of lead they stood no chance.
“Everything else that fires many times without reloading comes from that.
“I thought long and hard what it may be worth and I have to say I haven’t seen very many of these, I think in my career I’ve sold one. Obviously I’ve seen them in museums.
“To get it properly valued first you need to establish that it’s the right one, and if, as I think it is, and I have no reason to doubt it’s not a right one, if it is, then I think it’s got to be £150,000.”
The surrounding crowd all gasped in shock when they heard the hefty price tag.
When asked what he was going to do with it, the pistol’s owner laughed: “I am open to offers!”
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