Uberti Walker Kit

25cschaefer · January 11, 2013, 08:57 PM

I finally scraped up enough money, thanks to ebay, to buy the Uberti Walker kit from Dixie Gun Works. This will work out great with school as we will be learning the ins and outs of single action Colts in repair class. My plan for this gun is to make it perform and be pretty; latter down the road I will do another to look ugly (real) and perform.

I will, finish to better than Colt standards, including case hardening.
Defarb/make close to original markings.
Tune and slick the action.
Ream the cylinders to the bore diameter.

What else should I do?

rcmodel · January 11, 2013, 09:23 PM

If you mark it with pretty good Colt markings?

Deeply mark it as a Repro too!

There are way enough counterfeit Colts around already.

rc

25cschaefer · January 12, 2013, 12:11 AM

RC, I will defiantly leave hints on the outside that it isn't quite right and proudly stamp or engrave under the grips with my info. I would never try to cheat anyone and I will make it very hard for anyone else to cheat someone with my work.

horsemen61 · January 12, 2013, 12:27 AM

after seeing your other work I can't wait to see pics

arcticap · January 12, 2013, 12:32 AM

I think that the more original looking and defarbed the better. The screws and nipples are metric so it won't fool anyone.
Maybe something nice can be done with the grips like adding some handmade ornamentation such as a wire inlay, and/or along with a cast metal inlay or gemstone[s]. Even if it's only a geometric design to personalize the gun.
Silver, nickel or gold plate the trigger guard to match or offset the grip inlays.
Fix the loading latch so that it doesn't drop every time it's fired.
Or better yet, come up with an innovative solution to fix it even better and then show others how to do it.
If you could add an original front latch like the Dragoons have but using a Walker lever then that would be really innovative. Even if it were only an intregral swinging clip or wire mechanism of some sort that either attaches to or loops over the end of the lever, and then connects with the barrel, would be a great benefit to its reliability as a war weapon that an armed soldier could depend on when he needs the rapid multiple shot capability without any delays.
If not a clip or wire, then maybe a rotating, round block or knob of some sort that hollowed out on one side to retain or house the tip of the lever, and which then allows the lever tip to drop out when rotated. A quick turn of the rotating knob would lock the lever in place.
Even if you needed to change the shape of the tip to make it fit into the housing, or to work with a latch, then so what if wasn't like an original.
It would be an original one of kind Colt Walker prototype.

25cschaefer · January 12, 2013, 12:48 AM

I have a chunk of super nice exhibition walnut that might wind up as grips, I also have access to a large chunk of ebony, and a lot of cocabola.

I will defiantly look at the loading lever; I would try to make it look right but work better. I have some ideas but I want to try them out first.

mykeal · January 12, 2013, 08:21 AM

Quote:

The screws and nipples are metric so it won't fool anyone.

Alas, not so. There are many who aren't aware of that rather subtle feature.

TheBigAR2003 · January 15, 2013, 09:36 AM

the walkers italian markings are on the barrel underneath the loading lever so removing those might not be necessary because you wont see them unless you are really looking for them.
just a thought

25cschaefer · Today, 01:26 PM

The semester is over and I finally started work on the Walker.

First thing out of the box, it was "assembled," but it did not work, nothing was fit.

I spent about 45 minutes deburring everything, the water table cut me pretty good. The hand would not fit into its slot and the angled clearance on the arbour was not deep enough to allow travel.

To my surprise, after getting the FCG into the frame, it timed up perfectly.

The arbor hole in the barrel assembly was burred and peened up on the inside from the wedge hole and retaining screw hole, I polished it very carefully to allow smooth assembly and a tight fit. I still need to lengthen the arbor by about .090" to get proper barrel alignment and I plan on doing that by soldering disc on the end.

I need to get some balls so I can test fire it! 44 cal that is.

CraigC · Today, 02:03 PM

Very interested to see how this turns out!

kituwa · Today, 02:32 PM

Just a few more idea's,,harden all the screws.And if you have the means,dove tail the rear of the barrel and add a two leaf site like some of the dragoons had.Then build a fancy walnut velvet lined presentation box with a silver texas ranger badge on the lid.

45 Dragoon · Today, 02:50 PM

How about a spring loaded captured ball (detent) to catch the very end of the plunger when it's at rest to help the T spring. That way everything stays the same.

Had a Walker once. Wish I knew then what I know now!!!

January 11, 2013, 08:57 PM	#1
25cschaefer Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Trinidad, CO Posts: 574	Uberti Walker Kit I finally scraped up enough money, thanks to ebay, to buy the Uberti Walker kit from Dixie Gun Works. This will work out great with school as we will be learning the ins and outs of single action Colts in repair class. My plan for this gun is to make it perform and be pretty; latter down the road I will do another to look ugly (real) and perform. I will, finish to better than Colt standards, including case hardening. Defarb/make close to original markings. Tune and slick the action. Ream the cylinders to the bore diameter. What else should I do?

January 11, 2013, 09:23 PM	#2
rcmodel Member Join Date: September 17, 2007 Location: Eastern KS Posts: 41,191	If you mark it with pretty good Colt markings? Deeply mark it as a Repro too! There are way enough counterfeit Colts around already. rc __________________ Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Or all your primers in a glass jar!

January 12, 2013, 12:27 AM	#4
horsemen61 Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Posts: 624	after seeing your other work I can't wait to see pics __________________ Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all. George Washington

January 12, 2013, 12:32 AM	#5
arcticap Member Join Date: March 20, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 6,176	I think that the more original looking and defarbed the better. The screws and nipples are metric so it won't fool anyone. Maybe something nice can be done with the grips like adding some handmade ornamentation such as a wire inlay, and/or along with a cast metal inlay or gemstone[s]. Even if it's only a geometric design to personalize the gun. Silver, nickel or gold plate the trigger guard to match or offset the grip inlays. Fix the loading latch so that it doesn't drop every time it's fired. Or better yet, come up with an innovative solution to fix it even better and then show others how to do it. If you could add an original front latch like the Dragoons have but using a Walker lever then that would be really innovative. Even if it were only an intregral swinging clip or wire mechanism of some sort that either attaches to or loops over the end of the lever, and then connects with the barrel, would be a great benefit to its reliability as a war weapon that an armed soldier could depend on when he needs the rapid multiple shot capability without any delays. If not a clip or wire, then maybe a rotating, round block or knob of some sort that hollowed out on one side to retain or house the tip of the lever, and which then allows the lever tip to drop out when rotated. A quick turn of the rotating knob would lock the lever in place. Even if you needed to change the shape of the tip to make it fit into the housing, or to work with a latch, then so what if wasn't like an original. It would be an original one of kind Colt Walker prototype. Last edited by arcticap; January 12, 2013 at 01:00 AM.

January 15, 2013, 09:36 AM	#8
TheBigAR2003 Member Join Date: February 26, 2009 Location: MO, USA Posts: 102	the walkers italian markings are on the barrel underneath the loading lever so removing those might not be necessary because you wont see them unless you are really looking for them. just a thought __________________ How much pistol did you bring? It is only those who are left handed that are in their right mind. Official THR Walker Club Member #101 Official THR Remmy Club Member #51

January 12, 2013, 12:11 AM	#3
25cschaefer Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Trinidad, CO Posts: 574	RC, I will defiantly leave hints on the outside that it isn't quite right and proudly stamp or engrave under the grips with my info. I would never try to cheat anyone and I will make it very hard for anyone else to cheat someone with my work.

January 12, 2013, 12:48 AM	#6
25cschaefer Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Trinidad, CO Posts: 574	I have a chunk of super nice exhibition walnut that might wind up as grips, I also have access to a large chunk of ebony, and a lot of cocabola. I will defiantly look at the loading lever; I would try to make it look right but work better. I have some ideas but I want to try them out first.

Today, 01:26 PM	#9
25cschaefer Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Trinidad, CO Posts: 574	The semester is over and I finally started work on the Walker. First thing out of the box, it was "assembled," but it did not work, nothing was fit. I spent about 45 minutes deburring everything, the water table cut me pretty good. The hand would not fit into its slot and the angled clearance on the arbour was not deep enough to allow travel. To my surprise, after getting the FCG into the frame, it timed up perfectly. The arbor hole in the barrel assembly was burred and peened up on the inside from the wedge hole and retaining screw hole, I polished it very carefully to allow smooth assembly and a tight fit. I still need to lengthen the arbor by about .090" to get proper barrel alignment and I plan on doing that by soldering disc on the end. I need to get some balls so I can test fire it! 44 cal that is.

Today, 02:03 PM	#10
CraigC Member Join Date: January 27, 2006 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 8,858	Very interested to see how this turns out! __________________ "Wise men learn by others’ harms; fools by their own." - Benjamin Franklin

Today, 02:32 PM	#11
kituwa Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Location: Repton,Al Posts: 79	Just a few more idea's,,harden all the screws.And if you have the means,dove tail the rear of the barrel and add a two leaf site like some of the dragoons had.Then build a fancy walnut velvet lined presentation box with a silver texas ranger badge on the lid.

Today, 02:50 PM	#12
45 Dragoon Member Join Date: May 18, 2013 Posts: 4	How about a spring loaded captured ball (detent) to catch the very end of the plunger when it's at rest to help the T spring. That way everything stays the same. Had a Walker once. Wish I knew then what I know now!!!