Need advice putting '51 Navy back together

[I Ben Robbed]

I have no experience with open tops, so I'm assuming alot of things putting this gun back together.  Labelling parts wasnt an option because they just werent there.  The hand was missing, the bolt, the bolt/trigger spring (and screw), loading lever latch, front sight, and a few misc. screws.  I think I have everything I need.  Most all of my 'smithing experience has been with my '58 Remingtons, so thats what I'm going on putting it back together.  I'm having trouble fitting the hand though.  Since I dont have another to compare it to, and the old one was just gone, I have no idea what I'm doing here.  If there are any particulars I should know about before I break something fiddlin around in there, I'd appreciate it. 

[Singing Bear]

Hoi, IBR!  Check out the exploded views at places like www.vtigunparts.com or www.cimarron-firearms.com. 

The hand attaches to the hammer first, then slid home.  Be prepared to take it apart and put it back together several times if you're fitting a new hand.  Usually they come a bit long so you can make any timing adjustments by filing down the top.

[I Ben Robbed]

Hey stranger!  When you going to come play with us again?  We ran outta injuns! 

Thanks for the reminder, I forgot VTI had exploded views.  I'll see what I can do tonight to get this poor thing back in one piece.

[I Ben Robbed]

Well, figured out why I'm having problems.  After looking at the pictures of the parts again, they sent me the wrong cylinder stop.  I have a cylinder stop for an Original '51 Colt Navy, and I ordered the stop for a Reproduction '51 Navy.  Driving myself crazy trying to get this thing to fit.  Grrrrrr.

[Smokin Gun]

The Bolts usually have to be fitted same as the hands do. The width/height for the bolt, the mule ears for the hammer cam, frame slot. You can probly make the one you got work jus' fine,. Ifin it ain't too far off.

[Singing Bear]

Hey stranger!  When you going to come play with us again?  We ran outta injuns! 

Don't know when I can come out to play.   Got so much stuff to do right now.  You know....the honey-do list.    Also got another hobby I want to get cracking on and also have a couple of revolvers I've been waiting for some time to work on.  One is a caliber conversion and got the info, specs and parts from VTI.  It'll be one of my main match guns when done.   Those guys are on it.    Also still waiting on some time to build my new koa gun cart with wooden pneumatic wheels with bearing hubs.  Needs lots of sanding.    I feel so tired...

[I Ben Robbed]

Ok, heres something I cant figure out from the drawings, and this is sufficiently different from my previous experience that I can only guess until I have the right part.

Does the "ear" on the back end of the cylinder stop go UNDER the trigger screw, or OVER it?  Common sense from looking at it would say it goes under the screw and up into the frame, but .............

I think while they are fairly similar, the shape is sufficiently different to merit sending it back and having them replace it with the right part.  I'll just have to wait another 2 weeks.  I really want to have this gun in working condition before the next match.  I just bought another Navy and should be getting it within a week or so.  I'd like to be able to shoot the pair of them.

I suppose I could wait for the other gun to arrive, and then take IT apart and see how it goes together...........