[Racinbob]

Here's a pic of a friends old revolving rifle. It was passed on from a deceased family member and had a note that it was an 1855 Colt Revolving rifle. Nope, I don't think so. It has "Theodore Jasper" on it as well as "Colt Patent". Any ideas? Thanks friends.

[Old Fuff]

It's not a Colt Model 1855. Thry had side hammers and a topstrap over the cylinder. If it's old it is possibly something that was made in Europe, by a company that might have (or might might not have) used Colt's patents under license. Much more research is needed.

[Racinbob]

Thanks Fuff,
With my uneducated eye I knew it wasn't an 1855. I about crapped when she first sent me her cell phone pic and said what the note had on it. That's a better res pic I took and I'm thinking it's not that old. Machined hammer centered in the receiver, etc. Maybe a replica? It's a neat rifle and she some other neat pieces that I'll be asking about one at a time.
Bob

[Old Fuff]

I noticed the rebated cylinder - a feature introduced on the 1860 Army. However the general lines look more like an 1851 Navy. It could be an "original finish" Italian replica, but the dark wood stock isn't what I'd expect on a replica. Colt did license some makers in Europe to use his patents, but I don't recognize the name "Theodore Jasper" which seems more English then European. Hard to say, but little old ladies are seldom into making fake antique guns, and other individuals who do try to sell them for outlandish prices - something that apparently she hasn't tried too do.

One clue might be the caliber - measure a chamber diameter. :scrutiny:

I just noticed that the frame is cut to take a detachable stock - which makes no sense at all. But the "4th screw(s)" to anchor a stock don't apppear to be there. The frame could have come from an original (or replica) revolver that was marked "Colt Patent" while the rest is someone else's work.

[Racinbob]

She's not trying anything. She's a dear friend who's daughter came upon this and several others when her father passed. I'm just trying to help and I'm in over my head.
Any suggestions on the best books to look at?

[BADSBSNF81]

Flaydermans' guide to antique firearms might help. A detailed descripitoin of all markings would also be useful.

[Old Fuff]

She's not trying anything. She's a dear friend who's daughter came upon this and several others when her father passed.

I didn't mean to suggest that she was... My point was that she obviously wasn't.

While there is a lot of information available about genuine Colt's, there is very little about contemporary copies - licensed or otherwise. Unfortunately my best material isn't where I am.

There is nothing in Flayderman...

You might ask her if she remembers when her husband first got the gun. Reproductions were not available before 1960, unless entirely hand made.

[Dr.Rob]

Confederate copy?

[Jim K]

FWIW, and with nothing to go on but the picture (BTW, please crop photos - the carpet isn't really interesting) I think it started as a genuine 1860 Army. It could be a replica, but the thing just looks old. It has the look of something made up by a competent gunsmith in a good shop. Colt experimental? I would not rule it out, but there is no proof either.

The workmanship at the lever latch and at the barrel looks good. I would like very much to see the gun with the stock off and examine the work on the upper and lower tangs, also to compare the barrel housing (if that is the right term) with that of a 51 Navy.

In any case, someone pretty competent went to an awful lot of trouble to make that gun, and I don't think it was just faked up to try and sell as a rarity.

Jim

[JamesKelly]

I think Theodore Jasper was a skilled American gunsmith who made himself a revolving rifle out of an 1860 Army (assuming it is .45 cal)
Would sure like to have that gun.
Somewhere, somewhere I have seen photos of similar gunsmith-made "Colt" revolving rifles. Can't locate where just now.

[Racinbob]

So far I've had no luck searching Jasper. All but one or two of the firearms I'm showing will be sold. The muzzleloader may be the only one kept. I'm just trying to help her in determining what she has and the value. At this point I'm thinking cool pieces but not a lot of value.