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Posted: 1/9/2008 6:04:31 PM EDT
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I have a co-worker that just inherited a pistol from his grandmother who passed away in December 2007. The story he gave was that the pistol was recovered from his great-grandfather's house (after his passing) by his grandmother sometime in the 1930's. He has indicated that it was handed down from his great-great grand father to his great grandfather and eventually to his grand mother. I'm making this confusing now. Anyway, the family has lived in Eastern NC since the mid 1800's. I have two photos of the pistol but they are not very clear. It is definitely a cap and ball percussion type revolver. The pistol appears to be sound but the finish is rough, some pitting noted on the frame and barrel. According tho him the cylinder rotates and the rod for seating rounds into the cylinder hinges. He said the hammer will cock and can be realeased (dry fired) without any problem. It has a brass trigger guard with numbers like "3022" He is going to bring it to Charlotte in the next month or so for me to inspect and photograph. This is the only information he gave me about the markings on the pistol: Colt 1956; New York He did not indicate or could determine caliber. He's not a gun guy and really don't know what or where to look on an old firearm for information. My question is, are there any web sites that cater to identification of of such firearms? Thanks SM |
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COLT PERCUSSION REVOLVERS 101 1.COLT PATERSON: Normally a #5 Paterson, .36, 5 shot, no trigger guard, hidden trigger the trigger emerges from the frame as the hammer is cocked, early stagecoach holdup rolled engraving on cylinder, 7.5" to 9" octagonal barrel, 2.5 lbs. 2. 1847 WALKER: Largest Colt revolver, .44, 6 shot, wedge enters from the right side unlike all other Colts that enter from the left, Rangers vs. Indians engraving, hinged loading lever has rounded tip, lever catch spring near hinge, 9" octagonal to round barrel, 4.5 lbs. 3. DRAGOON 1st Model: .44, 6 shot, hinged loading lever with tip latch, square back trigger guard, oval cylinder stops, Ranger vs. Indians engraving, 7.5" octagonal to round barrel, 4 lbs. 4. DRAGOON 2nd Model: same as 1st model, but cylinder stops are rectangle. 5. DRAGOON 3rd Model: same as 2nd model, but round back trigger guard. 6.1848 BABY DRAGOON: (pocket type) .31, 5 shot, small frame, square back trigger guard, newer stagecoach holdup engraving, no loading lever, 3" to 6" octagonal barrel, 1.5 lbs. 7.1849 POCKET: .31, 5 shot, same as Baby Dragoon with stagecoach holdup engraving, but round back trigger guard, hinged loading lever. 8. 1851 NAVY: .36, 6 shot, round or square back trigger guard, Texas vs. Mexico naval engraving, hinged loading lever, 7.5" octagonal barrel, 2.75 lbs. 9. 1855 Side Hammer so-called "Root": .31 and .28, five shot pocket pistol, spur trigger, Cabin and Indian or stagecoach holdup engraving, first revolver with the creeping loading lever, 3.5" to 4.5" octagonal barrel. 10. 1860 ARMY: .44, 6 shot, streamline round 8" barrel, creeping loading lever, Texas vs. Mexico naval engraved rebated cylinder 2.75 lbs. 11. 1861 NAVY: .36, 6 shot, streamlined 7.5" barrel, similar to 1860 Army, Texas vs. Mexico naval engraved rebated cylinder, creeping loading lever, 2.75 lbs. 12. 1862 POCKET NAVY: .36, 5 shot, small frame, similar to the 1849 and 1848 pockets, stage coach holdup engraving, hinged loading lever, octagonal 4" to 6" barrel, 1.5 lbs. 13. 1862 POCKET POLICE: .36, 5 shot, small frame, streamline 4.5" to 6.5" round barrel, creeping loading lever, and fluted rebated cylinder, no engraving 1.5 lbs. All Colt revolvers have steel frames and open tops (no top straps)., except for the model 1855 side hammer "Root". Colt did not manufacture any brass frame revolvers. Trigger guards maybe brass, steel or nickel-plated. Keep in mind that the variations of Colts are vast. There at least 200 variation of the Colt 1849 alone. Cpt. Redleg |
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