Colt Model 1877

[brj]

Years ago my Father in Law passed away and left behind what I believe
is a Colt Model 1877 revolver. The gun was disassembled when we received
it. Originally I was interested in reassembling it but have discovered that at least one part (trigger strut) is broken and unusable.

After a bit of research and I’ve learned that this particular Colt model, while
popular back in the day, was probably not Colt’s best effort. The trigger mechanism has been described as a watchmakers nightmare and parts are
prone to breakage and failure. Replacement parts (if found) are very expensive.

Even if I repaired the gun it most likely would be retired to the gun safe. The blued finish is poor and quite frankly the gun does not go well with our collection. I’m looking for opinions on whether to continue with this project
or part the gun out. I’d like to see someone get some use out of it. Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Bob Wright]

If you can get the gun back together it wil be worth far more as a gun than you can get by parting it out, unless you just happen to find someone who is looking for the parts right away.

Selling to Gunparts Corp. is hardly worth the postage.

Bob Wright

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I've seen videos of a city in the north of Pakistan where the residents make all manner of firearms completely by hand -- no lathes or drill presses or milling machines involved. And they function.

It really shouldn't be difficult to fabricate a functional replacement for the trigger strut.

 

[James K]

The trigger strut probably would not be hard to make if the existing one is good enough to copy, but like everything else in that gun it is tricky. (And made at gunsmith hourly rates, it would not be cheap.*) I checked a few of the usual parts sources (GPC, Wisner's, Bob's) and none have that part, but maybe someone can turn up a source.

*I haven't checked on the air fare to Pakistan; I am sure they could do it cheaper, but there might be drawbacks to travel there right now.

Jim