Dual Cylinders Question

[gw]

Good morning,

I recently purchased a Colt SAA in the original wooden presentation box (1970s manufacture).

It included an extra factory cylinder but the spare is the exact caliber as the primary caliber. It’s for sure a factory cylinder as it’s fitted to the box and has the rampant pony stamped on the cylinder face. 

The seller said it came from an estate with other fine firearms. He had no clue as to why it was ordered with an extra cylinder of the same caliber. He said there had to be a backstory as to why it was ordered that way.

The revolver is in great shape. Has a very minor turn ring. 

It is the first Colt SAA I’ve owned. 

Why would it come with two cylinders of the same caliber?

[Encore64]

So one could be kept without a turn line to increase resale value even though the gun had been shot...

[gw]

Well, that was anti-climactic and without cool drama/intrigue/mystery of any kind. Makes sense given what the seller said about all the nice guns in the estate.

I appreciate the quick reply. Thank you. gw

[singleaction]

Oct 26, 2024 12:04:39 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

So one could be kept without a turn line to increase resale value even though the gun had been shot...

I imagine this is, by far, the most likely reason. However, I have to wonder if, perhaps, the other cylinder has a different throat size?


Are you absolutely certain that there is no difference in the chambers? I would, with both cylinders removed from the gun, attempt to seat rounds in both cylinder’s chambers, just to be absolutely sure. I do not wish to imply incompetence, on your part, but we all make mistakes. I certainly do.

[jgt]

It depends on what caliber it is chambered for. Could you share the caliber with us? I could think of something like two 44 special cylinders. One could be rechamber to 44-40 if that was not offered at the time of purchase. Or one cylinder could be used exclusively for other 44 cartridges like 44 Russian. Without knowing the caliber, the possibilities are too numerous to even try to speculate.

[Encore64]

Hopefully I'm wrong!!! A dual cylinder/caliber Colt would be awesome.

I've got a New Frontier 44 Special/44-40 with two cylinders of each chambering.

But, all Colt Collectors are obsessed with "No Turn Line."

While I hope for dual calibers, logic usual triumps...

[gw]

It’s a .357… which I liked as I have plenty .45s and .44s… and I’m getting no younger so .38s will be pleasant to plink with!

Singleaction, you are not nearly the first person to imply incompetence on my part. I’ve always wanted a Colt SAA (have Rugers) but I’m not familiar with them other than they need to be carried with five. I probably am incompetent… So it’s all good!

[bigbrowndog]

I could see throat dimensions different, as well as one in 357 and one in 38sp. Forgive my Colt ignorance but are both cylinders actually stamped 357??

Trapr

[gnappi]

If they truly are the same caliber one for .38's.

[gw]

I’m away from home and will look later. The seller told me both were .357. He said he never thought to check whether the spare was set up for moon clips (I assume for 9mm? Are moon clips even a thing in a single action?)

When a saw the revolver, I immediately thought the spare was in 9mm or .38 special. The seller ( a dealer who had some nice older stuff) told me it was definitely a second .357 cylinder, which he considered unusual. But to be honest I haven’t looked too hard at the spare as I took his word for it.

It’s a really nice revolver from what I can tell. gw

[rjm52]

...you didn't say...any serial numbers on the cylinders?

9mm revolvers have the chambers cut just like a semi-auto, to headspace on the case mouth. The only reason DA revolvers have clips if to facilitate ejection. SA revolvers load and eject just like a rimmed round.

Bob

[Encore64]

Any way you slice it, those cylinders are desirable!!!

They are so due to the fact they can be rechambered to proper specs in the larger cartridges.

Sounds like you did well...

[gw]

I thought I posted a reply but I don’t see it. Guess I messed it up.

There are no markings I can find on the spare cylinder save for the rampant pony on the ratchet side face of the cylinder. I need to see if .357s will chamber in both cylinders. If one is a .38 special it may be the one in the gun.

I’ve been on the prowl for a 4.75 inch SAA for a while now. I passed on a nickeled .45 in a gun shop recently as I wanted a 44 or smaller… and they were way too proud of that gun. I’m a 1911 snob and have plenty.45s… although not the same as .45 Colt they are enough .45 for me.

When I ran across this revolver I snapped it up. While not in a “traditional” chambering, I could envision having a lot of fun shooting at rabbits with .38. +Ps…

[lkydvl]

must be some tough rabbits.....

[gw]

Can’t kill anything too hard as far as I know. If that was an issue I’d go buy a Crossman .177 pellet rifle . It’d kill jackrabbits just as dead.