Colt revolvers for NCOWS?

[John Smith]

I've read the approved/unapproved lists and have a question about Colt DA revolvers.  The list has numbers 1901, 1903..... but how do you tell what a New Service or Official police or army special is?

[Stillwater]

I've read the approved/unapproved lists and have a question about Colt DA revolvers.  The list has numbers 1901, 1903..... but how do you tell what a New Service or Official police or army special is?

I would like to see an answer to that question too.

Bill

[St. George]

Hardly a mystery...

Pretty much all of the available references on 'Colt' will show you good, clear photos.

Try Sutherland's 'The Book of Colt Firearms' for a start, though you'll likely have to get your copy from the Public Library.

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

Just for fun I checked,  even Wiki has pictures:

New Service:



Offical Police:



I'm sure there are better sites for info on them, but Wiki looked pretty much right from a quick scan.  Of course you can kind of see it in the pictures but the name is stamped on the barrel.

[John Smith]

Thank you for your rather condescending answers.  I know what they look like, even own and shoot a couple.  Instead of referring me to my local library for a book they probably don't have, couldn't you just answer my question?  This is the "approved list":
Colt models 1889, 1892,1894,1895,1896,1901,1903, and Colt New Police

Since the only named revolver is the Colt New Police, and I only know the Colts by their name, all I'm asking is for someone to help me out by matching up a number with a name.

Going by the list it would appear that neither the 1877 or 1878 DA Colts are allowed.

[Delmonico]

http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I've read the approved/unapproved lists and have a question about Colt DA revolvers.  The list has numbers 1901, 1903..... but how do you tell what a New Service or Official police or army special is?

I have a meager library, so I pulled some info for you from one of Wilson's books.  I am by no means an expert on these guns, but Mr. Wilson is.  Here is a brief synopsis that I believe will answer your question:

Colt 1889, 92, 94, 95, 96, 01, & 03 are the mechanical progression of Colt's swing-out cylinder DA line of military handguns.  They are often discussed as a "group" due to their mechanical similarity.  The Dept of the Navy making the first order of the '89 model, thus the moniker "New Model Navy".  Differentiation of some of these models can be difficult for the untrained eye (like me).

Markings on military issue revolvers will show "U.S.N." and and anchor on the butt (if Naval issue), "U.S./ARMY/MODEL XXXX" (if Army issue).

For civilian/commercial production versions, the "Navy" version has hard rubber grips and an oval Colt decor at the top of the grip; the "Army" version has a rampant Colt in a circle on the grips. Commercial versions can be found with 2" to 6" barrels in calibers from .38S&W, .38, .41Long and Short Colt, and .32-20)

The "Army Special" and the "Official Police" succeeded these models in 1908, so they would be outside the NCOWS time frame.  Roll marks with these names and mechanical improvements will help identify.  Also the post '03 swing-out cylinders will rotate clock-wise, while the '89 to '03 models will rotate counter-clockwise.

The "New Service" is a larger framed revolver that begain in 1898.  It sold in 18 calibers and 8 barrel lengths until 1944.

The "New Police" is a .32 DA swing out cylinder which began service in 1896.  The frame and some barrels are roll marked "New Police".  Barrels are 2.5" to 6" with a "Target" version available also.


For some visuals on the '89 to '03 series:

http://www.spanamwar.com/Colt1889series.htm

Pancho

Going by the list it would appear that neither the 1877 or 1878 DA Colts are allowed.

The "approved" list you are looking at is mainly for reproductions and the more "obscure" guns (to most cowboy shooters) like the swing-out Colts and the Webley variations.

In our rule by-laws is our firearm authenticity statement:

7-2. No modern (post 1899) firearms will be allowed unless they are authentic reproductions of traditional firearms or very markedly resemble traditional firearms. Traditional firearms are defined as those manufactured prior to or during the era 1865-1899 and in documented use on the North American Frontier within that time period. Center-fire calibers may substitute for original rim-fire calibers in reproduction firearms. Reproduction firearms chambered in calibers not utilized in original models shall be allowed as long as such calibers are original to the period or are otherwise approved by the National Congress of Old West Shootists. (Amended March, 2010)

That statement would include the 77 & 78 DA's.

[Montana Slim]

Colt models 1889, 1892,1894,1895,1896,1901,1903

This is the Colt Army Model of 1889. The other model dates are all varied "improvements" of the same model and have been approved. Don't confuse these with other named Colt models. Example: I have a Model 1903 Colt Army revolver ( I really do).
I asume everyone knows what the "New Service" model is.

The Army Special is visually very similar to the Model 1889, this model is not approved as Pancho points out.
Coincidently, I had a chance to fire my Pa's Army Special in 32-20 when he visted recently. I loaded the gun "short" one round & taht is when I found out the cylinder turns the "wrong" way.    ;DNice guns & made with a LOT of the design from the earlier Arm Model.

Regards,
Slim

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Mr. Smith, to put your answer simply, YES - the Colt DA revolvers of 1877 & 1878 ARE approved.  They are often referred to as the Lightning and the Thunderer, depending on their caliber.  I'm NOT a Colt expert, but I think there may be an 1879 model as well, but I think it's simply an improvement of the others.  They (I have heard) won't stand up (mechanically) to a lot of shooting and rough handling, but I have seen them perform wonderfully for the occasional shoot.  Enjoy! 

[Texas Lawdog]

SHB, I bet that our Brother, Jed Cooper would know about those Colt revolvers.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Yep!