How to ID the Single Action Colt...

[daveinsvaz]

I would like to know how to ID a single action Colt I picked up before sending Colt $100.00 for a letter. As I don't know enough to tell them what I have...hence my request to all of you.
I picked up a formerly nickel plated Colt Single Action. Serial number is '21' on the cylinder, on the left side of the trigger and on the inside of the frame on the right side. The serial number on the 'normal' place forward of the trigger guard is either filed off or non-existant.
The barrel now is approximately 5 1/2" and is obviously cut down, as the front sight is in the 'Colts' patent marking on the top of the barrel.
It has three lines of 'patent' numbers, starting with 'SEPT 9, 1871' and ending with, what looks like, 'JAN 18, 1875'.
The left side of the barrel has been 'wire brushed', so I cannot see if there is any etching. Internal barre/rifling is very good.
It has a 'black powder' cylinder pin.
The cylinder notches are a simple rectangle, as there is no halfmoon 'lead' into them. The notches are centered on top of the chambers, not between them. The two cylinders opposite the serial number are mashed or crushed, but there is no evidence of cartridge explosions. the pressure was inward. One of the damaged chambers has a shallow grouve, almost like it may have been hit with a bullet.
The cylinder will accept a 44 Special case, but not 44-40, 38-40 etc.
The cylinder has a shalllow grove around it, running between the notched. It was well used for a long time.
It was found aMexican family in El Paso, Texas. They had no story to go with it.

Any assistance is appriciated.
Randy Davidson
[e-mail]

[Bowenbuilt]

Good pictures would help greatly in identifying what you have.

[daveinsvaz]

How can I add pictures of the Colt Single Action, SN #21?

[Bowenbuilt]

The simplest way if you want to get them up quick is email them to me and I will post them for you on this thread.

[e-mail]

Once I get them posted for you I will explain how you can do it on here.

[Mark Terry]

Randy,

I'm an absolute rank amateur but have spent a little time reading and researching.

If it's chambered for 44 Special, it would have been made after about 1907, I think which doesn't square with the black powder frame. More than likely it's a parts gun made up of pieces and parts from different guns and as far as I can tell, parts guns aren't unusual.

If the frame is serviceable and sound, it could be made into a shooter as all the parts are available.

There are folks on here with far more experience and knowledge than me and sooner or later I'm sure they'll chime in, most likely after pictures are posted.

I wish we knew the story behind the gun. It would probably be a good one.

[jayhawker]

Sounds suspiciously like a pre- 1900 Mexican made Colt copy.
Jayhawker

[Bowenbuilt]

Sure does.

[Bowenbuilt]

Here are the pictures of the gun in question;

[weagle99]

That gun looks like a Mexican copy of a Colt. The trigger guard is all wrong and other things look 'off.'

[jayhawker]

Sorry, not a Colt. The dimensions on hammer are completely wrong. Came out of Mexico, most likely made there.

[cubrock]

Agreed - still a neat piece of history, but not any more valuable than as a conversation piece.

[carl]

Is it the lighting or is that top strap "bent"?

Carl

[cubrock]

I'd hazard a guess that the topstrap got bent by the same force that cracked that cylinder.

[daveinsvaz]

To all, thanks for helping me with all the questions this piece has raised.
The top strap does have a small ding on the loading gate side, just about in line with the gouge on the cylinder. It is not bowed or twisted.
I have extra barrels and cylinders in 45 LC, 38/40 and 44/40. What are the opinions of rebuilding this for a low pressure plinker?
Sure wist this thing could talk!

Thanks again to all.

Randy

[weagle99]

My opinion: that gun should never be shot again. It is a wallhanger only.