Hammer knurling ideas/service?

[Little Dalton]

I have a Uberti/Cimarron Old Model in .44WCF with 7.5" barrel. Bought new from Buffalo Arms 3 years ago. I have officially tired of the cheap, barely-there laser-engraved "knurling" on the hammer. I'd like it done right- and matching one of the early patterns- say, 1878 when Colt introduced the "Frontier" model 1873 in .44-40. Not being super familiar with the timeline of the early knurling patterns, I don't know what that would be exactly. I'm pretty handy with a file, and could fairly easily cut a non-bordered pattern across the whole thumbpiece, but if the correct pattern is one of those that has a smooth border, I'm assuming it would need to be stamped or engraved.

Y'all have any DIY ideas, or suggestions for someone that could do the proper pattern for me reasonably?

[Kent Shootwell]

Not having a Colt in hand I'll make a suggestion that USAF is considered to be a very good copy of a Colt. Mine has rather fine checkering for about 3/8" and fully across the spur. There is a straight groove across that the checkering ends at with no out line. with out measuring it appears to be 20 lines per inche and not real sharp points. (you don't want to tear up your thumb) They are hand filed at about a 60 degree angle. If you need I can post a photo of this one. I believe it would be correct for your use.

[Abilene]

Well I'm not familiar with the earlier knurling patterns, either, but I compared my 1901 SAA hammer with my Cimarron pre-war Model P and Old Model P's and the three are dang near identical, with the Colt being worn more.  I don't think they are laser engraved.  (unless they've changed in recently years as another cost-cutting thing?)

[Coal Creek Griff]

I will say that my fairly current Uberti 7th Cavalry revolver appears to be laser cut as well. If not, it is a very light engraving. Aside from the very faint inspector cartouche on the grip, it is the only complaint that I have about that particular revolver.

CC Griff

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Dalton -

here are some photos for your consideration

some examples:
colt 1st gen



another colt 1st gen identified as hand cut


from our own yahoody here on CAS city:
from this thread:  http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=55043.0

Left to right, 1st gen, rounded border, straight border.


yhs
prof marvel

[Black River Smith]

Been there, tried that about a 1 1/2 years ago on three different Uberti's.  Never could get the final depth or definition I wanted using -- files, diamond bit in dremel or actual engraving tools.  To get depth and width, the row count of the checking will change on the Uberti hammer.  The checking count on the three guns I worked on already started off differently.

Scroll down to list of pictures for a really good view of 1870's hammer.    http://www.antiqueguns.biz/guns/custer.htm

[Professor Marvel]

A while back ( lordy, 40 years?) I acquire a steel checkering file with 4 different lpi on it, like one of those cheap 4 side file/rasps -
but this puppy wasn't cheap! it is just the thing for checking a front or backstrap or a hammer or just cutting fine paralell lines on a modernisch front site.

now I can only find single lpi files starting at ~ $50 and going up. But that's what one needs to checker a hammer!

and the babbeling voice of experience advises to practice on cheap soft stuff like brass or aluminum, then practice on scrap steel.

yhs
prof babbels

[LongWalker]

I've checked a couple of hammers using a thread-chasing file.  Mark the appropriate face of the file (one where "threads per inch" equals the desired "lines per inch") with a black marker so you can easily identify it, then grind the sides to the desired width.  Use an appropriate 3-sided file to point up the checkering once the spacing is established.  It isn't the "right" tool, but it works.