Manufacturer of 2nd and 3rd Generation Colt BP

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

So, does anyone here know who manufactured these guns? I  have been told that Uberti actually made the parts and they were assembled here in US.

[Deadeye Don]

Others will be along shortly I am sure.  I have heard that the Signature Series were bascially Uberti guns, but that the Generation guns were not. 

[Flint]

Actually the other way around.  The Second Gen guns were made from Uberti parts by Iver Johnson, I believe the small parts  like screws were USA made.

Third Gen, Signature Series were made from a mixture of Italian and American parts, I recognized ASM arbors and frames, for instance, the are different in having a series of grooves cut, rather than the helical cut grease/clearance groove.  They were assembled by a company in Brooklyn set up by Anthony Imperato, called "Colt Blackpowder Arms Company", but it was not part of Colt.

[St. George]

St. George's Notes XVI - 'Real' BP Colts...
« on: April 07, 2005, 10:38:02 AM »     

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Many C&WAS folks carry and use cap and ball revolvers as a part of their Impression - and with good reason - there were thousands available - beyond what was carried during 'the War', and brought home by returning veterans.

After the Civil War - they were available through the sales of Government surplus, and for someone headed  West - they were fairly cheap.

The big 1860 Army Colts - and the smaller 1851 Navys - and all of the rest - saw service far past the their initial Military service and well into the Cartridge Era - many eventually being converted for cartridge use, after the Rollin White patent for bored-through cylinders elapsed.

Of course - this was true of many other guns - but the Colt was more or less ubiquitous - most likely because of its military connotation and the subsequent familiarity with it.

In the early 1970's - Colt decided to reproduce much of their original product line - starting with the famed 'Squareback' Model 1851 Navy and continuing on to the big Dragoons - beautifully-made guns, all - with the rich Colt Blue, and distinctive color-case-hardening.

Much has been speculated about as to the 'actual' manufacturers of these fine revolvers - and this link will illuminate much of the history behind their recent production.

A note - this article really concerns the 'true' 2d Generation Colt Black Powder revolver.
Though the  later 'Signature Series' is touched upon - it doesn't seem to have the 'cachet' of being a 'real' Colt...

The article was written by Dennis Adler - who wrote "Metallic Cartridge Conversions" - a worthwhile book for the folks interested in the time frame immediately following the Civil War.

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ga_handguns/cap_ball/index.html

I'm sure you'll find it of interest.



Scouts Out!