Cimarron Pistolero .45 Colt
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Driftwood Johnson
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Howdy
Yes, steel can be case hardened. Colt has been doing it since they started using steel frames about 1883.
A little bit of history: The first Colt Single Action Army revolvers, starting in 1873 had frames and cylinders made of what we would call today Malleable Iron. Another name for Wrought Iron. In mid 1883 Colt began using what we would call today low-medium carbon steel for frames and cylinders. The lowest carbon count in these frames tested to about .0155. Around 1896 the metal used in the production of frames and cylinders changed to medium carbon steel, with a carbon content of about .0213. In 1900 Colt began factory warrantying the SAA for Smokeless Powder because of advancements in heat treating.*
Yes, Case Hardening was used because in the early days iron and steel could not be hardened all the way through. Case Hardening infused extra carbon into the surface of the steel, forming a hard 'case' only a few thousandths thick, while the interior metal remained relatively soft and ductile. The brilliant colors of Case Hardening have nothing to do with the hardness of the surface, they are simply a by product of the process. However the gun buying public became so enamored of the colors produced that each gun company developed their own jealously guarded process for Case Hardening their products.
Let's look at some photos.
A 2nd Gen Colt that left the factory in 1963. The colors are still vibrant on the Case Hardened steel frame.
In 1900 Colt began marking V/P in an upside down triangle on the trigger guard that stood for Verified Proof, indicating the revolver had been proofed for Smokeless Powder.
A pair of 2nd Gen Colts. The top one left the factory in 1973, the bottom one in 1968. The colors produced by Case Hardening are fragile. Strong chemicals and even sunlight can cause the colors to fade. The colors on the 7 1/2" Colt have faded with time. The SAA at the bottom of the photo left the factory in 1968. Before I bought it some clown tried to 'antique' it by removing all the blue and almost all of the Case Hardening colors. The surface of the steel is still hard, but the colors are almost gone.
This 1st Gen Bisley Colt left the factory in 1907. The colors are still quite vibrant on the steel frame.
This 1st Gen Bisley Colt left the factory in 1909. Time has almost completely erased the Case Hardening colors. Very little blue left either.
The 1973 2nd Gen Colt is at the top of this photo, a Cimarron Cattleman made by Uberti is at the bottom. True Color Case hardening is an expensive process, so Uberti does not Case Harden their frames, but instead uses a chemical process to create similar colors.
Ruger uses modern steel for their frames and cylinders. Ruger heat treats the steel so it is hard all the way through. Case Hardening the steel would be redundant. Instead Ruger uses a chemical process to imitate the colors of real Case Hardening. This 'original model' Vaquero left the factory in 1994.
Until very recently, Smith and Wesson always Case Hardened triggers and hammers. The colors on the hammer of this New Model Number Three, which left the factory in 1882, are still vibrant.
For a while, I forget for just how long, Smith and Wesson obtained a Trademark for their Case Hardened hammers and triggers. This was an attempt to keep cheap imitations from being imported into the US. These hammers and triggers were marked REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. Indicating the Trademark was registered with the US Patent Office. Eventually, the government rescinded S&W's Trademark, but hammers and triggers continued to be Case Hardened for many years. Obviously, these hammers and triggers were steel, not iron.
*Source: The Colt Single Action Revolvers A Shop Manual, Volumes 1&2 by Jerry Kuhnhausen
Yes, steel can be case hardened. Colt has been doing it since they started using steel frames about 1883.
A little bit of history: The first Colt Single Action Army revolvers, starting in 1873 had frames and cylinders made of what we would call today Malleable Iron. Another name for Wrought Iron. In mid 1883 Colt began using what we would call today low-medium carbon steel for frames and cylinders. The lowest carbon count in these frames tested to about .0155. Around 1896 the metal used in the production of frames and cylinders changed to medium carbon steel, with a carbon content of about .0213. In 1900 Colt began factory warrantying the SAA for Smokeless Powder because of advancements in heat treating.*
Yes, Case Hardening was used because in the early days iron and steel could not be hardened all the way through. Case Hardening infused extra carbon into the surface of the steel, forming a hard 'case' only a few thousandths thick, while the interior metal remained relatively soft and ductile. The brilliant colors of Case Hardening have nothing to do with the hardness of the surface, they are simply a by product of the process. However the gun buying public became so enamored of the colors produced that each gun company developed their own jealously guarded process for Case Hardening their products.
Let's look at some photos.
A 2nd Gen Colt that left the factory in 1963. The colors are still vibrant on the Case Hardened steel frame.
In 1900 Colt began marking V/P in an upside down triangle on the trigger guard that stood for Verified Proof, indicating the revolver had been proofed for Smokeless Powder.
A pair of 2nd Gen Colts. The top one left the factory in 1973, the bottom one in 1968. The colors produced by Case Hardening are fragile. Strong chemicals and even sunlight can cause the colors to fade. The colors on the 7 1/2" Colt have faded with time. The SAA at the bottom of the photo left the factory in 1968. Before I bought it some clown tried to 'antique' it by removing all the blue and almost all of the Case Hardening colors. The surface of the steel is still hard, but the colors are almost gone.
This 1st Gen Bisley Colt left the factory in 1907. The colors are still quite vibrant on the steel frame.
This 1st Gen Bisley Colt left the factory in 1909. Time has almost completely erased the Case Hardening colors. Very little blue left either.
The 1973 2nd Gen Colt is at the top of this photo, a Cimarron Cattleman made by Uberti is at the bottom. True Color Case hardening is an expensive process, so Uberti does not Case Harden their frames, but instead uses a chemical process to create similar colors.
Ruger uses modern steel for their frames and cylinders. Ruger heat treats the steel so it is hard all the way through. Case Hardening the steel would be redundant. Instead Ruger uses a chemical process to imitate the colors of real Case Hardening. This 'original model' Vaquero left the factory in 1994.
Until very recently, Smith and Wesson always Case Hardened triggers and hammers. The colors on the hammer of this New Model Number Three, which left the factory in 1882, are still vibrant.
For a while, I forget for just how long, Smith and Wesson obtained a Trademark for their Case Hardened hammers and triggers. This was an attempt to keep cheap imitations from being imported into the US. These hammers and triggers were marked REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. Indicating the Trademark was registered with the US Patent Office. Eventually, the government rescinded S&W's Trademark, but hammers and triggers continued to be Case Hardened for many years. Obviously, these hammers and triggers were steel, not iron.
*Source: The Colt Single Action Revolvers A Shop Manual, Volumes 1&2 by Jerry Kuhnhausen
sobrbiker883
Member
[QUOTE="Driftwood Johnson, post: 12353264]
In 1900 Colt began marking V/P in an upside down triangle on the trigger guard that stood for Verified Proof, indicating the revolver had been proofed for Smokeless Powder.
View attachment 1089949
[/QUOTE]
Thanks, very cool info provided in post. It would have been nice if Colt put the VP on the frame itself, rather than a removable part…
In 1900 Colt began marking V/P in an upside down triangle on the trigger guard that stood for Verified Proof, indicating the revolver had been proofed for Smokeless Powder.
View attachment 1089949
[/QUOTE]
Thanks, very cool info provided in post. It would have been nice if Colt put the VP on the frame itself, rather than a removable part…
Nevmavrick
Member
I've been out "making noise" with my Uberti "Thunderer" .45 Colt and really enjoy shooting it, Mostly I use handloads with Red Dot and cast 255gr semi-wadcutters. The grip soaks up the recoil just fine, but I would like to put a more conventional plowhandle frame and grip on it. does anyone know where I could find one?
I've kept an eye out for one at the shows here in town, but no luck, yet. The short 3 1/2" barrel may have a little "snap" to it, but I like it, anyway.
I've got a custom holster for it that I find quite comfortable, but I find the "plowhandle" easier to grab from the holster. Sometimes I need to readjust my hand using the "birdshead,"
I am comparing with my Ruger "Flattop" Blackhawk .44Spl with 4 5/8" that has a similar carry rig. They are high-carry western rigs.
Thanks if you can help,
Have fun,
Gene
I've kept an eye out for one at the shows here in town, but no luck, yet. The short 3 1/2" barrel may have a little "snap" to it, but I like it, anyway.
I've got a custom holster for it that I find quite comfortable, but I find the "plowhandle" easier to grab from the holster. Sometimes I need to readjust my hand using the "birdshead,"
I am comparing with my Ruger "Flattop" Blackhawk .44Spl with 4 5/8" that has a similar carry rig. They are high-carry western rigs.
Thanks if you can help,
Have fun,
Gene
Jim Watson
Member
Uberti parts at
https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/s...d=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target
CAUTION. I do not know what fits which. Shop carefully.
https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/s...d=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target
CAUTION. I do not know what fits which. Shop carefully.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
You will have to speak to Colt about that.
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