[Kitt]

A friend just got a 36 cal. black powder revolver. 7 1/2" blued barrel, cylinder has a naval scene with " engraved by W L Ormsby" on it. Top of the barrel says -Address Sam Colt New-York City- every piece has the number 22990 stamped on it. It this an original Colt or a made in Italy reproduction? Where can I go for info? THANKS:confused:

[SDC]

Can you post some pics, and have you had it apart? If it IS Italian, there'll be Italian proofs on it, likely hidden on the frame below the cylinder or under the barrel.

[Kitt]

On the bottom of the barrel it looks like the letter Z Will try to post pics..

[Old Fuff]

Kitt:

Many of the reproductions are very close to the originals, including the cylinder engraving. However the "New York" barrel marking was used up to serial number 74,000 (and your gun is in this range) and then again as "New York U.S. America" between serial numbers 101,000 to 215348 (end of production).

If the revolver is an original one it should have a SMALL round trigger guard. Most, if not all of the reproductions have either a square-back trigger guard or a larger rounded one.

The original Colts had what is called "gain twist" rifling. The twist started out almost straight at the back and curved faster toward the front of the barrel. Modern reproductions have rifling that is a uniform twist throughout.

The letter "z" on the bottom of the barrel sounds more like a Colt inspector's mark then a European proof mark.

There is still much to doubt, but the revolver could be an original 3rd. issue 1851 Navy made before the Civil War.

[TerryBob]

Does it have an octagon barrel like the 1850 navy or a round barrel like the 1862 navy? Either way, if it's origional, it's worth a lot of money.

TerryBob