[Snaggletooth]

Need a few Colt questions answered. Is there any way to tell if a Colt is second or third generation by the serial numbers? Ive put one on layaway with a dealer on the east coast. He has always had high quality guns. Ive bought three on his word and been very pleased. Someone who seen the Colt said its second Gen. The dealer says third. Serial number is 26008.

[barneyrw]

The 3rd Generation are Signature Series with Sam Colts signature on the backstrap. 2nd Generations do not have the signature. The below website has the most info I have been able to find on the 2nd & 3rd Generation Colts.

https://www.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/POWDER/MBPHistoryOfColtBlack.pdf

[pohill]

S. Tooth, I dug a little deeper. The book I have shows that the 2nd Generation 1851s were made from 1971 up to 1981, with serial #28150 being the last one. That would make it a 2nd Generation - correct? That salesman told me that all of the Signature Series guns do not have the signature on the backstrap. I think he is wrong. He also told me that the Whitney I bought there was a "pre-Italian" Whitney, not an original. That's why I got such a great deal on it - $350. And he told me that the "Custer 1861 .36" that I bought there was not factory engraved but added later by someone.
That gun you're looking at is a beauty. Even if the salesman is right, and it is a 3rd Generation without the signature, it's a good deal. Buy it so I won't be tempted (I looked at it again last week).

[Snaggletooth]

Pohill, Ive been researching the subject and from what I read, if it doesnt have the signature on the backstrap, it isnt a sig series. Ive got it on layaway and Im sure Ill enjoy it. It was a good buy, no matter whether it is second or third gen.

[Snaggletooth]

Barneyrw. Thanks for that info and website.

[pohill]

S. Tooth, you're gonna like that suit, I guarantee it.
Just wipe my fingerprints off it hehe

[Snaggletooth]

Pohill, You have been right on those I bought before. Ive got my better guns from there except for my Colt Dragoon.

[madcratebuilder]

The only 3rg gen that does not have the sig is the Patersons, F1000 and F1001.

They made 19,775 C series and 3,551 F series standard 51 Navy 2nd gens. Odds are you have a C series. Congrats on the new shooter.

Edit, you have a F series, C series stops at 25099. The difference is the bluing.

[Fingers McGee]

Edit, you have a F series, C series stops at 25099. The difference is the bluing.

MCB. For the most part, that is true. I have seen F series with lower SNs and C series with higher; both in correct sn matching boxes. You're absolutely right about the main difference being the blueing.

FM

[higene]

What is an accurate load for a steel frame .51 Navy .36.

Higene

:scrutiny:

[pohill]

I use 15 - 20 grs of black powder with a .380 ball (or .375 if that's all I have).

[Fingers McGee]

I use 20 gr of fffg, lubed wad & .380 round ball in my '51 and '61 Navies.

FM

[Snaggletooth]

I use 20 grains in my 1851 Pietta. Seems to work well

[madcratebuilder]

MCB. For the most part, that is true. I have seen F series with lower SNs and C series with higher; both in correct sn matching boxes. You're absolutely right about the main difference being the blueing.

I wouldn't doubt it, anything is possible with Colt. I was going by the info in D Russell's book on 2nd gens. I have two revolvers that aren't 'by the book'.


What is an accurate load for a steel frame .51 Navy .36.

Colt specifications are 15 to 20 grains (18 recommended) of FFFg black powder, #10 caps and .378 to .380 (.378 recommended) lead round ball or lead conical bullets.

[higene]

Thanks,

Higene