Wanted: Instruction manual for Colt 2nd Generation 1860 ARmy

[greg9168]

Hello,
I just purchased a true Colt Model 1860 Army pistol.  The serial number is 206XXXX.  I have two questions.  Can anyone tell me when this pistol was made, and secondly, I need a instruction manual.  The pistol came with the original black box but no manual.  It appears to be in unfired, mint condition.  Can anyone tell me how much it is worth?

Thanks,

greg

[long]

On replicas, the serial number is not the primary source of dating. Italian Replicas are proofed and marked with alpha-numeric codes.  The codes correspond with the date of manufacture.  For example: a boxed "BZ" means 2005.  This list of codes/dates can sometimes be found on the web and in several published sources.  

One such is this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0595357962/qid=1131899049/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5214135-4782359?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

The book also deals with shooting, loading and disassembly instructions.

[qajaq59]

If you go to this page it will tell you how read the proof marks so you will know who made your bp gun and when. You will need Adobe reader though to see it.
https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/POWDER/MBPProofmarks.pdf