Colt s manufacturing company, llc cmc, formerly colt s patent firearms manufacturing company is an american firearms manufacturer, founded in 1855 by samuel colt. Early double action revolvers were slow on the path to reliability. The webley was a double action pistol with a two inch barrel, the original version of which held 5 rounds of. Debunks the myths surrounding the d, e and i frame python, old model trooper, detective special and other large frames with python style lock work by carefully explaining and simplifying the complex relationships between cylinder bolt, rebound lever and hand. For british military use double action revolvers such as the webley new model express no. A study of colts new army and navy pattern double action. A total of 51,210 model 1878 revolvers were manufactured from 1878 to. Realizing that the future of the company was at stake, labor and management agreed to end. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and. This is a colt commando that was produced during wwii in. Jun, 2019 this book, without question, will become one of the absolute best sources of information regarding the line of colt serpent firearms for decades to come.
While not as popular as singleactions, doubleaction revolvers played a role in the old west. The older colt vspring da revolvers are tricky and sensitive to repair. The book pictures every model of colt firearm made from 1836 to 1985. Want to own a piece of history and make history at the same time. Jan 29, 2018 the interesting history of remington revolvers from the 1850s1870s uberti and pietta in italy make modern reproductions of remington new model army revolvers with a variety of caliber, barrel and finish options. The interesting history of remington revolvers from the 1850s. Colt double action revolvers modern local deals, national. The colt double action revolvers a shop manual vol.
Due to sam colt s negativity regarding doubleaction revolvers, the colt factory didnt produce one until 1877, well into the cartridge era. A shop manual by kuhnhausen, jerry and a great selection of related. Colt double action revolvers modern for sale and auction. While numerous books have been written on samuel colts single action army revolvers, there has never been an authoritative reference book done on these doubleaction revolvers.
Samuel colt did not invent the revolver, but after some 200 years of development his paterson revolver of 1836 started a revolution in repeating firearms. Major sections of the book cover history and development. This is considered by colt to be the official history of colt firearms. This is a very very rare unaltered example of the colt model 1892 double action revolver from the us armys 1st contract. A study of colt s new army and navy pattern double action revolvers 1889 to 1908. Major sections of the book cover history and development, physical characteristics, and an indepth study of. In 1836, connecticutborn gun manufacturer samuel colt 181462 received a u. Swing out cylinders quickly caught on, because they combined the. Doubleaction revolvers required more parts to make the gun function, and more parts meant more chances of parts failure. Remington 1858s and 1875s were solid reliable firearms. Colt s double action revolver, model of 1878 9780961787646 by wilkerson, don and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. A study of colt s new army and navy pattern double action revolvers 1889 to 1908 robert best on.
Dec, 2011 the revolvers double action mechanism was quite intricate and very delicate. Samuel colt was born in hartford, connecticut on july 19, 1814. Today, there are quite literally just a handful of surviving model 1892 us army revolvers still in their original configuration as very few of. The colt single action revolver won the west by being the gun of. The jerry kuhnhausen book the colt double action revolver. Major sections of the book cover history and development, physical. There s loads of history associated with these revolvers on multiple revisions.
My constant association with him resulted in his affliction for old, expensive firearms rubbing off on me. Most likely, the colt double action revolver of 1877 was a response to the introduction of the webley bulldog pistol in 1872, which was already being imported into the u. If your firearm does not appear in the listing, please understand that this is not a comprehensive database. Here is the complete story of colts first large frame double action revolver, the model of. A study of colt new army and navy pattern double action. Due to sam colt s negativity regarding double action revolvers, the colt factory didnt produce one until 1877, well into the cartridge era. Styled in the bold tradition of the old west with modern autoloading action.
Colts double action revolver model of 1878 by wilkerson, don. But there was one thing he refused to do to the very endproduce a doubleaction revolver. Jun 30, 2009 know what your colt firearms are worth with this uptodate 76page. Colts big model 1898 a doubleaction hit historynet. The 10 greatest revolvers of all time the shooters log. Some shown here have kirst conversion cylinders installed. Colt patent firearms manufacturing company incorporated hartford.
Here is the complete story of colts first large frame double action revolver, the model of 1878. The colt double action revolvers a shop manual, vol 1. This book is the definitive reference on the subject. Handguns of world war ii, the secondary pistols and revolvers charles pate colt s double action revolver model of 1878 don wilkerson. Colt new police revolver colt antique single action army revolver 1sy year production colt antique single action army revolver early military model 18731877 colt antique single action army revolver early civilian model 18731877 colt antique single action army revolver. But there was one thing he refused to do to the very endproduce a double action revolver. Colt double action revolvers pre 1945 local deals, national. The colt m1878 is a doubleaction revolver that was manufactured by colts manufacturing. Colt double action revolvers pre 1945 for sale and auction. Double action revolvers required more parts to make the gun function, and more parts meant more chances of parts failure. The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and throughout the world until production ceased in 1905.
Models, serial number ranges and photos of these fascinating colt revolvers is presented. Colt is continuing its expansion into revolvers, bringing out the upgraded night cobra for 2018. Its first double action revolver was the smallframed, sixshot lightningin. These second generation colt single action army revolvers were produced from 1956 to 1974 and carried serial numbers in the range of 0001sa to 73,205sa. Read the instructions, warnings and cautions in this manual carefully before using this firearm. While pat garrett owned a merwin hulbert, he used a colt peacemaker to gun down the kid. This revolver was designed as the double action version of colt s famed single action army revolver and shared much of its history. Brand new in hard case available for purchase at our online store colts legendary doubleaction revolvers return the colt cobra is now av. Colt single action army revolvers and the london agency c. Due to the popularity of the television show, the life and legend of wyatt earp, colt introduced the aforementioned buntline special as a second generation offering from 1957 to 1974. Swing out cylinders quickly caught on, because they combined the best features of earlier designs. Colt s double action revolver model of 1878 1998 by don wilkerson relates the history and development of this first true bigbore da. A shop manual, volume one for the older style action guns, or the colt double action revolver. Colt new service revolvers bob murphy colts new service revolver tim mullin a study of colts new army and navy pattern double action revolvers 18891908 bob best u.
The term is most commonly used for the historical 1877 and 1878 models, but it also may refer to the following firearms. Completely updated pricing for colt firearms with new entries and photos. Wild bills colt navy, and wes hardins 1876 colt double action. Oct 25, 2017 and only now has colt begun to delve into its own history of double action revolvers, which dates back to 1877, an appropriate 140year span from which colt double action revolvers have only been totally absent since the anaconda and python elite were discontinued back in 2006. Colt colteer 122 operating instructions and safety manual. Seven serpents the history of colts snake guns gun. Colt single action army revolvers and the london agency. Double action revolvers were almost unknown in the immediate post civil war era, although the technology had been investigated and to some degree achieved. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Nagant 1895 revolvers with the advancing cylinder that seals the end of the cartridge in the breach. Colt even had other gunsmiths create new designs, such as the root model pistols and rifles.
What you should know about the new colt night cobra revolver. The night cobra has a bobbed double action only dao hammer. Colt model 1892 us army da revolver unaltered 1 of 7 known. The webley was a double action pistol with a two inch barrel, the original version of which held 5. Information provided here is approximate, if you wish to support your investment with the purchase of a complete history and letter of authenticity for your firearm or for more information, please contact colt s archive department. The 1877 colt double action revolver unblinking eye. Ruger makes excellent revolvers in both single and double action. As with wilkersons other colt books, this one also covers each caliber which was offered as well as barrel lengths, total production figures and serial numbers. A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing. A study of colt s new army and navy pattern double action revolvers 18891908 bob best u. Apr 30, 2017 heritage gun books colt double action revolvers shop manual volume ii brownells. The colt double action revolvers a shop manual, vol 1 jerry.
Its first doubleaction revolver was the smallframed, sixshot lightningin. In 1889, colt introduced the model 1889, the first truly modern double action revolver, which differed from earlier double action revolvers by having a swingout cylinder, as opposed to a topbreak or sideloading cylinder. Colt single action revolvers, by martin pegler, osprey publishing, oxford, u. A study of colt new army and navy pattern double action revolvers 18891908.
The colt thunderer was also among the handguns of choice carried by. Details about the colt double action revolvers a shop manual vol. Colt has made a lot of great revolvers, but i dont know that theyve made 8 of the top 10. Sam colt invented the revolver as we know it, offering the first one for sale in 1836.
In this coffee table book, richardson lays out 100 examples of the colt. How the colt single action army revolver won the west. Jul 28, 2011 in this video we shoot two classic revolvers of the mid20th century. The advertising people at colt must have known just exactly how much i could stand. Handguns of world war ii, the secondary pistols and revolvers charles pate colts double action revolver model of 1878 don wilkerson.
It was built on the colt iframe, which also was known as the old. As a result of their shared history, the colt revolver and the american west will forever. Nov 03, 2016 how the colt single action army revolver won the west. This page details the development and operational history of the colt model 1917 service revolver including technical specifications and pictures. How common were double action revolvers in the post civil war. Some gun historians say it was the best revolver ever made. Colt s manufacturing company firearms, handguns, pistols, rifles, revolvers. The next colt book i found was the 1940 edition of a history of the colt revolver from 1836 to 1940 by haven and belden. Here is the complete story of colt s first large frame double action revolver, the model of 1878. The model 1877 was offered in three calibers, which lent them three unofficial names. One of his favorite collectibles that i, too, became fond of was the colt model 1877. Colt 175 years the history of americas premier gunmaker by dennis adler. In 1956, i was straight out of high school and a colt python and the colt single action army each carried a.
That first paterson was a fiveshot, capandball revolver. Colt automatic pistols is dedicated to collectors and enthusiasts of military and commercial colt pistols, colt revolvers, colt firearms and accessories. Buy a colt double action revolvers pre 1945 online. There were several things that attracted us to this model, not the least of which was the fact that it was the first double action revolver made by colt. The first doubleaction revolver that the colt factory produced after sam colts death was the 1877 lightning. A study of colt new army and navy pattern double action revolvers 18891908 robert best on.
The colt m1877 was a double action revolver manufactured by colt s patent fire arms from january 1877 to 1909 for a total of 166,849 revolvers. Carbine cartridges centerfire chambers cock colonel colt colt revolvers colt s patent cylinder engraving cylinder shape discharge double action dragoon ejector engraving of cylinder factory fire firearms. Pdf download from the standard catalog of firearms. The colt agent was a small double action revolver with a shortened grip frame for better concealment. These books can be bought from brownells, midway usa, or direct from the publisher, heritage gun books. In depth research by the author into colts shipping records and government archives is used to document the material. The 1877 was often referred to as the gunsmiths best friend. A detailed look into colts development and production of double action swing out cylinder new army and navy series revolvers. But the guns accuracy was such that in his pioneer 1954 book colt firearms, jim serven, the.
Dec 21, 2015 of these three, only the colt python was a radically new design, even though it could trace its ancestry back to the army special, a popular. Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods. The colt m1878 is a double action revolver that was manufactured by colt s manufacturing company from 1878 to 1907. But the python was a dramatic change from anything colt had done before. Today, there are quite literally just a handful of surviving model 1892 us army revolvers still in their original configuration as very few of these escaped the upgrades to models 1894 and 1901 specs. The revolver of the american west by jeffrey richardson. It covers the history of all the colt revolvers, both single and double action, and the semiautos as well. Designed by colt employee william mason, the 1877 was notorious for breaking down, rendering it useless or, at best, a single action. This revolver was designed as the double action version of colts famed single action army revolver and shared much of its history. Major sections of the book cover history and development, physical characteristics, and an indepth study of each of the calibers with complete production figures for both standard and engraved revolvers. The colt single action revolver won the west by being the gun of choice on the. The finish and grips show very little wear or damage. Jul 19, 2008 single action revolvers were far more common than double action until after the introduction of the colt m1889 in 1889, and remained quite popular after that time. It is the successor corporation to colt s earlier firearmsmaking efforts, which started in 1836.
992 601 1618 1551 1280 1551 182 492 824 226 1384 407 976 668 787 886 1357 846 1003 1197 482 1254 1001 365 1168 988 1299 1089 1491 774 1201 645