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September 7, 2008, 05:57 PM | #1 |
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Is it an Army or a Navy?
Examine these original Colts.
Closely. Last edited by Cimarron Lawman; September 8, 2008 at 04:17 PM. |
September 7, 2008, 06:27 PM | #2 |
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Yep, pretty close. I don't understand why they left the cutout for loading short tho. Makes it a booger to load conicals without removing the cylinder.
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September 7, 2008, 07:12 PM | #3 |
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So is it an Army or a Navy?
By caliber, it's an Army. By grip and barrel length, it's a Navy. Or, maybe it's a Narmy?? Interesting that one is fluted and one isn't. Could these be prototypes? Limited production models? |
September 7, 2008, 07:25 PM | #4 |
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The first 25,000 1860's had fluted cylinders. Maybe the grip frames were changed out at some point. Lots of those old guns were built from parts or customized by their owners much like today. I'd have to see matching serial numbers.
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September 7, 2008, 07:28 PM | #5 |
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Odd that they have 7.5" barrels. At first glance, I thought they were 1861 Navies.
I hope I'm not violating copyright laws here. Serial numbers: |
September 7, 2008, 07:38 PM | #6 |
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I dunno but I'm no expert. The low numbers bear out the fluted cylinder tho.
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September 7, 2008, 07:47 PM | #7 |
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The non-fluted one is serial #24.
Weird huh? And a final example, serial unknown: Last edited by Cimarron Lawman; September 8, 2008 at 04:15 PM. |
September 11, 2008, 02:17 PM | #8 |
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Nice pieces.
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September 11, 2008, 02:43 PM | #9 |
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Ummm, you need to go back and reread the first post. The pics are original Colt's but unusual ones. They may be first models based on the 51 which evolved into the 60 as we know it.
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September 11, 2008, 02:57 PM | #10 |
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Yeah, I was doing a few things at once, I got busy there for a second and missed a few important details.
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September 12, 2008, 11:21 PM | #11 |
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The pictures intrigued me; so I had to do some research. They appear to be a rare variation of the 1860. The New Model Holster Pistol of Army Caliber could be had with a number of options. They were advertised with 7.5 or 8 inch barrels; with steel handle strap, brass, plated, or blued trigger guard; and the same arm with "attachable carbine breach". They could also be had with square back trigger guards and full or half fluted cylinders. Here's an ad from the period:
[A history of the Colt Revolver; Haven & Belden; 1940] And from Wilson's Colt, an American Legend. "A scarce variation dating from the first year of manufacture is the fluted cylinder version, identified in the original shipping ledgers as the "cavalry" model. To the confusion of the novice collector, specimens were made in 7.5 and 8 inch barrel lengths, and with Navy and Army-size grips. Another scarce and sought after type is the Army with round, roll engrqved cylinder, the Navy-size grip, 7 1/2" barrel, Hartford barrel address marking, no channel in the capping cutout (on right side of the frame), and silver plated brass gripstraps. Only fifty five were made."
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Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce Last edited by Fingers McGee; September 13, 2008 at 10:38 AM. |
September 13, 2008, 10:31 AM | #12 |
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At a glance, 1860's with Navy grip frames.
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September 13, 2008, 05:09 PM | #13 |
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Yes, and Navy-length barrels. Too bad Colt didn't make more of them.
Perhaps the ultimate configuration. |
September 13, 2008, 07:47 PM | #14 |
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I like the longer grip frame of the 60 better.
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September 13, 2008, 10:33 PM | #15 |
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I have been kicking the idea around of doing something similar with my 1851. Put on the 1860 barrel, Thunderer grips, and the Kirst Konversion on it and have a unique gun. Taking a look at an original with matching numbers, I would not be so hard pressed to do the Kirst Konversion and stick with my R&D cylinder. The only thing that bugs me about Pietta is that they didn't make the 1860 Civilian model. All of the 1860s I have seen by Pietta have been four screw, not three. Uberti makes an 1860 Civilian model, but then again IIRC Uberti has to take smaller OAL cartridges than Pietta. I think it is a part of what makes this gun cool: You can mix and match different parts, and come up with something cool.
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September 13, 2008, 11:10 PM | #16 |
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I also prefer the 1860 grip frame over the Navy. I wish it had always been an option on the SAA, or at least the replicas.
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September 14, 2008, 08:49 AM | #17 |
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The Army grip feels good in my hand also. I like the Navy grip a bit better if the grips aren't too fat and have flat bottoms, or close to it. Uberti's Navy grips flair more than the originals; they feel too fat down low. Whenever I pick up an original Navy, I can't help but smile.
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