Regarding the posting I made on this thread, my source for the cylinder metal is from Jerry Kuhnhausen’s book on Colt. Page 28 “ Regarding factory change over to smokeless powder SAA model production” . He further states how there’s disagreement between people about what and when, so caution is the best route Interresting that little of the OP’s pistol is as it left the factory.
Here are some quotes from Kuhnhausen. I have made a couple of pertinent lines bold.
At the bottom of page 69 there is a frame detail note. "The transverse cylinder base pin lock (aka base pin catch or latch) associated by some collectors as a smokeless frame identifying feature, was first introduced as a target model feature in 1892 and was finally phased in as a standard production feature circa mid 1896. This said, collectors have nonetheless found S.A.A. frames in the 183,000 serial range(circa early 1899) with black powder style (front frame screw retained) base pins."
Top of page 70:
"Disagreement still exists amongst historians and collectors as to when Colt factory conversion to smokeless powder model S.A.A. Revolver production was finally completed. Some believe incorrectly, that all frames made beginning with, or after, s/n 165,000 (mid 1896) are smokeless powder frames. As far as actual changeover to smokeless powder S.A.A. production is concerned, three things are absolutely certain: (1) Colt S.A.A. Revolvers produced up to serial number 180,000 (reached about mid 1898) were not guaranteed by the factory for smokeless powder cartridges. (2)
Colt did not specifically guarantee S.A.A. Revolvers for smokeless powder cartridges until 1900 (beginning s/n in 1900 was about 192,000), and (3) the smokeless powder verified proof (the letters
VP in a triangle) was not stamped on the Colt S.A.A. Revolver triggerguards until some time in 1901."
Bottom of page 71:
"1st Generation S.A.A. cylinder material changes began to occur at about the same time that S.A.A. frames were being metallurgically updated. Cylinders prior to approx. s/n 96,000 (mid 1883) were made from materials generally resembling high grade malleable iron. Original cylinders from approx. s/n 96,000 to about 180,000 (mid 1898) were made from transitional low/medium grade carbon type steels. These cylinders and their parent frames were not factory guaranteed for smokeless powder cartridges. Cylinders after frame s/n 180,000 (mid 1898) began to be made from medium carbon type steels.
Later versions of these cylinders were better and more uniformly heat treated. S.A.A. revolvers with cylinders of this final type were factory guaranteed in 1900 for standard factory load smokeless powder cartridges."