Double actions

[Short Knife Johnson]

Just today I finally received a package containing 2 revolvers I bought from a guy clear across the country.  It was such a steal of a price I could not turn it down.  They were just as described.  A Forehand & Wadsworth DA top break of some sort in .38 S&W (which is the gun I wanted out of the deal) and a Colt New Army (or Navy?) in .38 Long Colt.  The Colt has Patent dates of Aug 5, 1884, Nov 6, 1888, and Mar 5, 1895.  The serial number according to the Canadian registry is 78,011 but the other numbered parts are stamped 975.  On the butt of the grip the 78 is stamped over the 011.  Sorry, I don't have pics for this yet.

The handspring is very tired, the star extractor spring is too.  Cylinder lock up is kind of scary.  The bore and chambers look pretty good.  Also, I would call the exterior finish at maybe 40% with some minor signs of not nice treatment.  I'm just wondering how much trouble this thing would to get back into shooting condition.  If this piece is pre-1899, I might be willing to find it a new home stateside.  Or maybe have it made into an "antique calibre" as defined by Canadian law and have it deregistered.

The Forehand is another story.  The latch gives me concern.  Not near as tight as my other top breaks.  The lockup needs to be fixed.  The bore and chambers are not too shabby here either, but I would like some helpful tips on getting it shooting too.  Both of these guns are still too good to be stripped for parts.  Also... are the cylinders supposed to freewheel one way?  That just gives me the heebie jeebies.

Thanks for any help.

[St. George]

No, 'freewheeling' isn't a good thing - and unless there are actual bolt stops - all of these cylinders are a bit 'loose' - though they lock up fine in battery.

Replacing 'all' of their springs might show a marked difference in overall usefulness.

Sometimes, you can get springs for these from Dixie - though you may need to shorten them up a bit.

'Way back when'  - these revolvers worked as one might expect - but now, the springs are the weak point.

If you've got questions - send me a PM.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[litl rooster]

Does the Forehand cylinders turned freely till you cocked the hammer or put pressure on the trigger in DA mode? As for Forehand\Wadworth I can't say for sure. However  this is a common feature in guns of this era especially Spanish and other euro models.

"antique calibre" as defined by Canadian law and have it deregistered.

When you buy ammo for it you'll think it's obsolete.

[Forty Rod]

Get in touch with David Chicoine and see what he says.  His book may tell you how to repair it (assuming it actually needs repair) yourself.

[Montana Slim]

Lockup on the topbreak .38 S&W is achieved only by hand/trigger pressure after pulling the trigger. These things ain't Rugers, so expect a bit of play & don't try to test it "hard" with your hand. Freewheeling is typical "at rest" operation of many pocket guns of this type.

Hand springs for your Colt DA can be fashioned from Colt SA handsprings. Just trim-out the part you need to resemble the correct hand sping.

Regards,
Slim

[Short Knife Johnson]

Well I think every spring on the Colt is tired.  I peeled the sideplate off of the old girl the other day, and the hand spring is broken, the spring under the mainspring had been welded.    I think the bolt stop is worn down a scary amount.  My plan would be to change the calibre to .41 Long Colt because .38 Long Colt is somehow not an antique round.  The .38 S&W is also not antique.  The rest of the guts look pretty good, and it wants to function. 

I looked closer, and the other pistol is a Forehand Arms.  Not an F&W like the seller said, so it will take some detective work to see if it was made prior 1898.  The last Patent date is Jan 11th, 1887 with a serial # under 170,000.  The cylinder freewheels until the trigger is pulled almost halfway back.  I have not had the sideplate off of it yet.

I'm going to try to get these two back into safe firing condition.