2nd/3rd gen colts

H

Hardy

New member
I have always thought that these guns were made by Ubertie and possibly Pietta and were inspected by colt reps in England before they were stamped by colt. Thru a reliable source, they were not and were all made in NY with only some springs from Italy. That's good to know if you are a collector.

WBH
 
Junkman

Thanks for posting that. We have that in the store. I was just stating what I was told today by a retired Colt Ex over the phone. So---did colt make them or not?
 
No, Colt didn't make them. They did the final fit and finish on second gens. Colt only supplied their name for the third gens. They were made by a company called Colt Black Powder Arms Co. Colt acknowledges second gens as real Colt's but not third.
 
When I returned my defective 3rd Generation Dragoon back to Colt, I talked with them about "who made these"

The parts were Italian, Uberti I believe. There was just enough work to be left that by the content laws at the time, Colt was able to claim these were "made in America".

I suspect the work to be left was polishing and handfitting. They did verify that the cylinders arrived chambered and the barrels were rifled.
 
I again thought that the 3rds were made in Italy, and inspected by colt.BUT I was told that even the 3rds were made in NY except for springs. And everything else was made- finished and blued in NY.
 
Ok. I had an 1860 army 3rd (still posted under brass frame deals) look at it. I sold it/ but it shot better than any of the repos. I have! I have an 1851 navy (3rd gen colt) that I just pulled out and compared it to a Uberti 51 and a pietta 51. There is absolutly no drag on the hammer or any feel of roughness (but slick smooth) as compared to the other 2 which could possibly use some polishing in hammer hand channel and recoil slot. But , I will say the Pietta is smoother than the Uberti. I believe that Colt probably made some bad 2nd and 3rds. But I ain't shootin the ones I have except the 51 Navy. Action is great and would appeal to a marksman which unfortunately is not me.:o
 
That's the first I've heard of Colt doing anything to a sig series.
Click to expand...

+1

To rehash:

C series 2nd Gens were made in Hartford under the Blue Dome using parts that were made in the US and Italy. They were finished, inspected, marketed and warranted by Colt's

F Series 2nd Gens were made in Middlesex NJ by Iver Johnson using parts made in the US and Italy (Case hardening for these was done in Hartford). They were inspected, marketed, and warranteed by Colt's. Some later F series models were assembled in Arkansas.

Signature Series models were made in Brooklyn, NY by John Jovino and Co. under the trade name Colt Blackpowder Arms Company that was a special licensing agreement with Colt's. Colt's had nothing to do with the Sig series guns.
 
And/ Thanks Fingers. We're getting useful info on these from everyone. Again thanks for your info

ALSO ---Colt gen guns were never cleaned after the test firing. So--get to work:D

Wild B Hickup Hardy
 
um, here is warranty card from a 3rd navy "All Colt's Firearms are built to exacting standards of engineering and manufacturing and are rigidly inspected before leaving our factory. They are warranted to free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of 12 months from date of purchase. Colt's obligation is limited to repairing or replacing, F.O.B. Hartford , Conn., USA., any part of a Colt's Firearm which Colt's examination to be thus defective."

This from a 3rd gen 1851 Navy #C1121 serial 9097

But this is not a signiture but is stamped 3rd and has antiqued tarnish trigger guard and loading leaver is hard cased. Blued barrel has kida of antiqued wearing to match.
Is this better than a signiture? Curious?
 
Hardy, All Signature Series Colts, AKA 3rd Gens - except the Paterson - have the Sam Colt signature on the backstrap.

A model C1121 with serial number 9097 is a 2nd Generation C series 1851 Navy that was made in 1973. When made, it came in a two toned brown Colt clamshell box. Where is it stamped 3rd????
 
I thought it too to be a 2nd--shop keeper told me it was 3rd. The wood box has a blue felt and on the side of cardboard box is mgic market red "3rd." You know I really was confused. Now, here's the ques : Is the plated trigger guard supposed to be tarnish and the barrel and frame look a little out of perfect? I like the gun though. It vcame w/ wrappings cards etc along w/ WB Hickock postcard:) What it be worth?
 
I meant that it being in a dark blue felt box indicated 3rd. But not seeing signiture series made me wonder, especially the cardboard box but seeing in red marking 3rd next to serials, I supposed it to be a 3rd. I should no better:o

Woa- I got out of subject!!! Ok, we know 2nds were somewhat made in Hartford and 3rds were made in Brookland but questionable if they were by colt Um gona look in to that AND (uberti parts etc.) But they are still collectibles. I like the guns with colt stamped on them whether 2nd or 3rd. This might be a good thread for collectors seeking advice on buying these. Really! And posting what you have:D
 
Sounds like someone put a 2nd Gen Navy in a Sig Series case, and unknowingly passed it off as a 3rd Gen. I've seen these on the auction sites in the past.

Suggest you get a copy of 'Percussion Colt Revolvers - The Second Generation; Collectors Handbook and price guide #5' By Dennis Russell. It's got the straight skinny on 2nd Gens. He has also included some info on Sig Series guns.

The plated trigerguard is silver, and will tarnish over time if left out in the air. Boxed/stored guns take longer to tarnish. By keeping mine clean and lubed with balistol, they haven't tarnished. What do mean by 'a little out of perfect'?

There is a collectors forum at
http://blackpowdersmoke.com/revolvers/index.php and
http://blackpowdersmoke.com/collectors/index.php
 
It was purchased at auction as antiqued tarnish by colt. But , I like the gun but wonder still why red magic marker on brown and white cardboard box says 3.

You know what... The sig series colt boxes say "the Authenic Colt Black Powder"

Um, is that a lie since just posted 3rd gen were not made by colt---or some grey area hype? In my mind - Colt wouldn't claim this if they were not their product.

WB hichuping
 
So ...Colt gave them the right to to use COLT and also put Samuel Colt Address NY on gun? There has to be some type of agreement there or ????
 
So ...Colt gave them the right to to use COLT and also put Samuel Colt Address NY on gun? There has to be some type of agreement there or ????
Click to expand...

Colt authorized them yes but turn it and twist it anyway you like it doesn't make them real Colt's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top