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Post by jamesjames on Sept 3, 2010 21:58:19 GMT -5
I have a an unmarked black powder frame in the white that was acquired at a gun show. It has a couple of deep pits, one in the frame and one in the loading gate. It has no patent dates and no other identifying marks on it. It has 24 TPI, non-tapered barrel threads. This says to me its a gen 3 Colt, but I'm not sure. Could it have been pulled off the Colt assembly line during QC and then found its way onto the secondary market? The black powder frame came along with a trigger guard and back strap (ITW and drilled for screws, but not fitted to the black powder frame), and a beautiful Colt .44 special cylinder. I'm in the process of fitting the trigger guard and back strap to the black powder frame. I want to build a .44 special "project gun" out of these parts. How can I (or who can) assess this black powder frame to tell if its worthy of putting Colt parts on it?   The only marks on the frame are these:  Any help in ID-ing this frame would be much appreciated. |
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Post by peacemaker on Sept 3, 2010 22:06:34 GMT -5
That doesn't look like a Colt frame to me. Some of the contours are wrong. But, then, maybe that is why it may have been rejected?
Great basis for a project though.
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Post by jamesjames on Sept 3, 2010 22:14:34 GMT -5
I also see marks on the cylinder window top and bottom in the first picture that indicate someone put a screwdriver through the frame to turn a barrel, which tells me little more, except that somebody tried to work on it before, either putting a barrel on or taking it off (or both).
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Post by taffin on Sept 4, 2010 2:51:32 GMT -5
How can I (or who can) assess this black powder frame to tell if its worthy of putting Colt parts on it?
THIS FRAME WAS MADE BY UNITED STATES FRAME SPECIALISTS OF MILWAUKEE IN THE LATE '80s. MINE WAS USED TO BUILD A .45 "COLT SAA" USING COLT PARTS. IT WAS COVERED IN THE JAN'FEB '89 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER. THE TWO PARTNERS HAD A FALLING OUT AND THE BUSINESS CLOSED. TOO BAD AS THEY WERE OFFERING SHERIFF'S MODEL FRAMES AND FLAT-TOP FRAMES ALSO.
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coyote
.30 Stingray
posting from a remote solar-powered cabin in the mountains of eastern oregon
Posts: 300
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Post by coyote on Sept 4, 2010 9:07:49 GMT -5
once again, master john comes thru with an answer. bravo!
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Post by jamesjames on Sept 4, 2010 9:27:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I'll look up your project in the Jan-Feb'89 AH magazine. This gives me more confidence to proceed with the project with Colt parts and make the kind of investments in gunsmithing and finishing to build a quality piece. Coyote and I have been talking about a 3 1/2 inch barrel with dovetailed sight. Ejector assembly. An exciting and fun project.
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Post by jayhawker on Sept 4, 2010 9:48:10 GMT -5
Looks like a lot of metal in the top strap. Perfect for the populsr S&W rear sight installation. Should be a fun project.
Jayhawker Bob
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Post by jamesjames on Sept 4, 2010 21:58:58 GMT -5
Thanks to John Taffin for the great information and article. I went to the American Handgunner website and looked up the article from the Jan-Feb 1989 edition. The article is: "Got a box full of SAA parts?---Build your own SAA!" (or words to that effect) Articles are $4.00 each from the American Handgunner website. A treasure trove of information.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,836
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Post by cubrock on Sept 5, 2010 21:24:02 GMT -5
Yep - I've got one of their flat top frames. Got it from a parts stash in Bill Grover's estate. He was saving it to build a Number Five replica. I think I'm going to have to buy that article, too!  |
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Post by taffin on Sept 5, 2010 22:35:49 GMT -5
Yep - I've got one of their flat top frames. Got it from a parts stash in Bill Grover's estate. He was saving it to build a Number Five replica. I think I'm going to have to buy that article, too! WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW (I MAY BE THE ONLY ONE HE TOLD) BILL WANTED TO BUY THE FRAME COMPANY AND OFFER SEVERAL MODELS. WE HAD PLANNED A FEW TOGETHER. THEN THE COMPANY DESTROYED ITSELF. |
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,836
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Post by cubrock on Sept 6, 2010 12:03:51 GMT -5
Yep - I've got one of their flat top frames. Got it from a parts stash in Bill Grover's estate. He was saving it to build a Number Five replica. I think I'm going to have to buy that article, too! WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW (I MAY BE THE ONLY ONE HE TOLD) BILL WANTED TO BUY THE FRAME COMPANY AND OFFER SEVERAL MODELS. WE HAD PLANNED A FEW TOGETHER. THEN THE COMPANY DESTROYED ITSELF. I look forward to learning more good stuff like this from you when we can talk. This summer has not gone as planned and I am way behind on my book research. I've been holding off calling you until I have more of my notes sorted out so that I ask better questions. Thanks! |
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