Identify This Frame? Beware: Depressing

Replacing shot-out and rusted out barrels was very common in the era of black powder and corrosive primers, and many guns of that era have mis-matched barrels. (I recently saw a post about a Stevens rifle with a Remington 510 barrel - same thing.)

Further note for Tom: The front sights are easily made. Contrary to what is commonly believed, they were not soldered or welded in, they were just press fitted, using a specially shaped arbor press head to prevent them being bent or damaged in installation. In replacement, installation is usually with a vise, using brass or lead jaws to prevent damage to the sight.

Jim
 
Should we also mention that the thumbnail stud on the loading gate has been replaced with a little brass knob?

Some of the lines are just a bit "soft." Has it at some time been reblued? Apparently before it got the SAA barrel.
 
Maybe I am overloading the thread with miscellaneous comments, but anyone having a chance to look at one of those guns should check out the way the cylinder locks up, and the role of the loading gate. It is an ingenious system and was used also on the Model 1889 .38 caliber revolver, with the cylinder latch acting like the loading gate of the Model 1878.

Jim
 
Convert it to gas-ejection and magazine feeding.
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Okay JIm,

You own me a new laptop - I just laughed coffee all over mine. ;)

I must admit when I saw the pictures your name jumped to my mind - no offense.
 
I'd assume that if Colt had used SAA barrels on the 1878s that they would have either polished or struck out the SAA markings and remarked them.
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I would assume that as well but I try not to. If I did, somebody would pop in with an obscure fact to let me know that Colt indeed accidentally shipped 12 guns to Bronco Bill's Hardware Store in Chicago with the wrong barrels. Stranger things have happened and when it's something I don't know a whole lot about, like early Colt DA's, I try not to speak in absolutes. ;)


Some of the lines are just a bit "soft." Has it at some time been reblued? Apparently before it got the SAA barrel.
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That's about what I figured. Although it does look like they did a fair job of refinishing it. Not like a lot of old SAA's that look like they were polished by an angry 800lb gorilla.
 
I'm not talking about an accidental "Fred the inspector was drunk and let some interesting stuff out of the factory again" release.
 
I know but sure as anything, if I had said Colt NEVER shipped an 1878 with an SAA barrel somebody would pop in with something contradicting it. Collectors love what happens when Fred the Inspector gets drunk.
 
I think there is often a matter of swimming with Cleopatra (in de Nile) with a lot of odd guns. People who buy a gun, especially at a high price, are not happy when they are told that it is a junker or a mixmaster rather than the "rare and valuable" factory error they thought they paid a bunch of money for. So denial sets in and the owner rationalizes how his rare gun came about; local gunsmiths and Joe the blacksmith are not involved.

Jim
 
I thought this was a joke at first.
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Nope. Older single-actions are a weak area in my knowledge. You've provided me with a lot of good info.

The frame is definitely reblued, and it looks relatively recent. The polishing was done with a severity that suggests a great deal of resentment for the gun. Its finish is a total mismatch for the barrel. The barrel is marked for .45 Colt, but the charge holes are smaller. So, um, that's a problem.

Convert it to gas-ejection and magazine feeding.
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Oh boy. If I suggest that to my gunsmith, I'm going to get That Look. It's the same one he gives to folks who stipple the Punisher logo on their guns with a soldering iron. :)

It was originally dropped off in the hope that the rear sight and ejector housing could be fixed, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards at this point. Thanks for the info, all.
 
If you have a .45 barrel and the cylinder charge holes are smaller, you have lots worse problems than a few blacksmith repairs.
 
Mike Irwin said:
I can't imagine Colt allowing a gun out of the factory with the wrong model designation on it.
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Stuff happens.

There have been photos on the M1911.ORG forum of Colt 1911s in Government length marked "Commander," and Commander length marked "Government Model."

My ex-wife once owned a car that had Dodge badges on one side and Plymouth badges on the other.
 
no you misunderstand. I meant a conscious decision of putting Single Action Army barrels on the double action model with out changing the markings on the barrel. yes we all know that mistakes happen.
 
Even in the condition it's in, I'd like to have one like that. The 1878 is a cool revolver IMO.

I kind of dream about finding ones like this that are actually might be affordable.
 
Guys,

Keep in mind right after WW2 SAAs were JUNK on the market.

Plenty of them laying around.

For some gent to get two guns deemed junk and make a working gun is not depressing but a sign of ingenuity.

Now if the guy had of used a hacksaw and butchered one that's another matter but as it is it's a interesting gun to me, not some depressing piece.

Deaf
 
Looks kinda like a Colt Alaskan, this one is worn but otherwise unadulterated for comparison.
 

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It is the same gun except for the longer trigger and larger trigger guard put on the so-called "Alaskan". That name apparently was the invention of collectors who thought the gun was made for use with gloved hands. Others thought it was for two-hand use by Filipinos. Apparently neither is true. The Army had misfires and wanted a heavier mainspring. When Colt put in a stronger spring, the gun could not be fired DA by a normal individual so they lengthened the trigger to give more leverage. It helped some, but not enough; the DA pull is still a bear.

Jim
 
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