Original 1871-1872 Open Tops

[Lone Oak]

Does anybody know if any of the original Colt '71/'72 Open Tops were produced in center fire? I also wonder if some were converted to center fire, by Colt or private gunsmiths,  after the re-loadable .44 Colt center fire cartridge for the converted 1860 became popular. Just wondering, anybody else have any thoughts or information?

L.O.

[Jake MacReedy]

Yes, a few were produced in .44 Russian, according to McDonald's book on Colt and other conversions.

Jake

[buckskin billy]

on page 192 in the book from patternson to peacemakers by dennis adler, is a picture of an original 71-72 open top that is nickle plated and has a rebated cylinder and is chamber for .44colt center fire. it is a colt prototype and is said to be a exception to the rules concerning the open tops of this model

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[Lone Oak]

Interesting, thanks!

Lone Oak

[Fox Creek Kid]

There were at least five in .44 Russian in the first 60 made.

[Hangtown Frye]

There's one now on Gunbroker which seems to have been converted, more or less, from rimfire to centerfire.  I say more or less, because they left the rimfire pin on the hammer face when adding the centerfire pin, supposedly to accommodate the firing of either cartridge. Now as to just which cartridge that would be is in question. I would bet .44 American, since (as I recall) it has pretty similar outside dimensions to the .44 Henry cartridge.

In any event, interesting...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=186603894

Cheers!

Gordon

[Leverluver]

Someone brought one into a shop I frequent and I had a chance to coon finger it pretty good.  It was a rough conversion to what appeared to be 44 Rus.  I went and got a Rus and it fit lengthwise and a 44 colt wouldn't.  It obviously it had the chamber reamed somewhat to handle the Rus case.  Correct me if I am wrong but doubt that the 44 rimfire had a "chamber" at all.  Let me tell you, when you do that there isn't a blonde hairs thickness of metal left under the bolt notch.  I wouldn't have fired it on a bet, no matter how weak the load.  The owner wanted it fixed (hand spring) so he could fire it.  The hammer had a huge gob of braze on it forming the "new" centerfire firing pin.  The firing pin mod actually looked too ugly to be original.  I would guess more likely a 20th century modification rather than the 19th.  If overall condition counts and comparing to the one on gunbroker, this one would have been worth three times the price if it wasn't for the brazed firing pin.  Even so it had a lot of character and some very fine weathered ivory grips.

[Tascosa Joe]

Colt built 20 SAA Army in .44 Rim and Central Fire.  Those guns had the 2 prong firing pin.

BTW the one on Gunbroker looks like the hammer came off of a Mattel "Fanner 50"!!