More 1851 Colt Questions ...

WaddWatsonEllis · October 31, 2009, 12:15:44 AM

I will be wearing an 1851 Navy Colt as a docent and want to be as politically correct as possible.

The 1851 Colt (Pietta) that I have has a brass trigger guard and grip straps.

Would the first '51 Navys to arrive in California be all blued steel or have the brass on them?

Also, would they have the squared off trigger guard or the rounded type?

Thanks!

St. George · October 31, 2009, 12:32:27 AM

The first of the Model 1851 Navy Colts were .36 caliber, with silver-plated, squareback triggerguards and backstraps.

This is the model that Colt re-introduced when they began producing their Second Generation revolvers.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Major 2 · October 31, 2009, 12:47:14 AM

as St. George said ...silver-plated, Brass squareback triggerguards

The London model was the first to have the blue steel TG

WaddWatsonEllis · October 31, 2009, 06:43:22 AM

Okay,

So I could get the aft half of what I have silver-plated.

Any idea where I would find a square brass trigger guard for a mid 1980s Pietta 1851 Colt? (Serial # E57XXX)?

Then I suppose I could get the trigger guard and front half of the pistol grip silver plated as well ......

WaddWatsonEllis · October 31, 2009, 06:46:21 AM

P.S.

I tied Pietta to get a square back trigger guard .... they say they only have one part number, and can't tell if it is square or round back.

Am going to try Dixie Gun works as soon as they open ....

Major 2 · October 31, 2009, 08:07:54 AM

Before you get all panicky

The rounded TG started with the 3rd Model Navy circa 1852 with SN Range 4200-85000 With the 1st * & 2nd model range as 1-1250 & 1251- 4200 respecfully. ( 4th Model SN Range 85000-215348) (London Model with the steel began in 1853-1957 SN range 1-420000 )

3rd Model with rounded brass TG is PC for late 1852, perhaps you can adjust your docent era...

* BTW--- the 1st Model had the wedge screw under the wedge.

Frenchie · October 31, 2009, 11:26:40 PM

S & S Firearms has a square back trigger guard Navy Colt as item # RFT006. I've no idea if the trigger guard and grip frame are plated.

WaddWatsonEllis · November 01, 2009, 12:52:02 AM

Frenhie,

This computer keeps erasing my post .... beginning to work on my nerves!

This is my third attempt at a post .....

Frenchie, thanks so much for the part number; I will attempt to get the trigger guard on Monday .... applied to the backstrap....

As far as the plating, I have a local jeweler who really likes out of the box projects ... I was thinking that while he was plating the backstap and trigger guard, that he might be interested in engraving a climbing vine on the backstrap..... That would look really nice sticking up out of the holster....