This gun made in 1882

GunClick Rick · January 16, 2011, 12:55:47 AM

Who could have used it?

St. George · January 16, 2011, 01:08:18 AM

Well, if you have more money than you really need - ask Colt for a Historical letter.

First - ask the lady you got this from to see how far back her information may go.

She may surprise you with what she may know.

These revolvers were kinda avante garde, at the time - and folks loved new things, so it could've been used by almost anyone during the era.

That it shows as much wear as it does on the grip panels would indicate it was likely more of a 'holster' weapon, than one found in a drawer.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Dead I · January 16, 2011, 03:25:05 PM

It's a Thunderer right? Well worn grips means that it was used heavily...or at least carried heavily. Billy the Kid used one of these as well as a Lightening which was confiscated from him when he was captured at Stinking Springs on 22 Dec. 1880.

Pat Garrett used one and so did John Wesley Hardin. Many are broken, does this one work? I have a Lightening and I seldom cycle it. The trigger pull is very long and "clacky". They feel good in one's hand however. Least it does in mine.

It is a nice old west pistol, congratulations! I don't think the chip in the grip hurts it any. Those old bakelite grips were brittle.

Wild Billy Potts · January 16, 2011, 07:04:29 PM

Quote from: Dead I on January 16, 2011, 03:25:05 PMThose old bakelite grips were brittle.

Thought they were gutta percha?

Skeeter Lewis · January 16, 2011, 07:09:26 PM

Bakelite came along later.

St. George · January 16, 2011, 07:27:23 PM

Indeed.

They're Gutta Percha - sort of the 'Pachmayr' of the era.

Bakelite came about far later - to be replaced by plastic in its many variations...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Dead I · January 16, 2011, 10:22:02 PM

Quote from: Skeeter Lewis on January 16, 2011, 07:09:26 PM
Bakelite came along later.

Oh....

Will Ketchum · January 17, 2011, 06:35:32 PM

I have been told that Colt designed these revolvers to be shot double action. If a person does so exclusively the springs may last for a long time. If, however the owners chooses to cock the hammer this puts more stress on the main, hand and trigger springs.

Several years ago Bill Curran wrote an account in the NCOWS magazine "The Shootist" where a Texas Ranger, I believe, came into a camp with a warrant for a hardcase who was camped with some cowboys. He was sure the guy would resist and was ready to shoot. When the bad guy stood up the Ranger started to pull the trigger on his Lightning when the guy put his hands up and surrendered. They all looked at the revolver. The hammer had stayed at full cock. The Ranger later said he tried numerous times and never could get it to stay at full cock.

Will Ketchum