ASM 1st Model Dragoon

IIRC, ASM made replica gun parts for Colt back then, and when Colt stopped marketing them (I forget which Gen they were), ASM was left with a bunch of parts. ASM marketed them but was then sued by Colt because of the Colt-marked parts sold as ASM guns.

I would say that is one of those.

Jim

There seem to be two or more versions of Colt marked Armi San Marco's. Some of them, usually made around the early 1980's seem to have markings exactly like Colt 2nd Generation and/or Signature Series percussion revolvers. Other Armi San Marco's have Colt markings that are of a different font than those found on Colt 2nd's and SS's.

RWMC said:

I saw one of these this past weekend at a gun show here in Iowa. It was in mint condition. The unusual thing was that it had the Samuel Colt New York address on top of the barrel.

Was this common place, or was this leftover parts from the Italian gun makers who were making the guns for Colt ( 1970s – 1980s ) at one time? Thanks for any light you may shed on the subject.

Click to expand...

I have a few Colt marked ASM's, just out of curiosity what was the asking price?

I have a soft spot for ASM's made around the time of the deal with Colt...yes, their reputation for bad product in the late '70s is deserved, but some of the product shipped around the early '80's is as good as any Italian replicas I've shot. My 1982 vintage 1860 has has pounds of lead run through it, the silver plate and color case hardening look new, and it's at Goon's right now to be Outlaw Mule'd.
The point is, I have a suspicion the the Colt addressed models from Armi San Marco dating to the early '80's may not be collectable just for the markings, but may be some of the best revolvers they made...Maybe the QC requirements from Colt (and the associated cash to upgrade QC) lead to a run of ASM that were up to par with the best of the rest? Input, anyone?

The ASM's sold through CVA were very well finished, CVA had a high standard and ASM met it with the ones they sold through them.