Colt Lingo

[Shawnee]

Hi Y'All...

Often see reference to "first", "second" and "third generation", and "signature series" Colt handguns. Have always assumed these refer to specific time periods (or maybe serial number ranges) of manufacture.... don't know if there were any mechanical/cosmetic differences.
Am relatively new, and relatively casual, to BP guns and so am wondering if someone of you august Gentlemen of The Charcoal knows of a website that does a good job of explaining these terms ?


Many thanks !!!

 

[jphendren]

Colt percussian dates of manufacture.

First Gen - 1830's-1872 Built in Hartford at Colt's armory.

Second Gen - 1971-1982 C-series finished in Hartford, F-series finished at Iver Johnson. All of these guns were shipped from Colt's armory and are regarded as genuine Colt's and will letter as such.

Third Gen "Signature Series" - 1994-2002 Colt's in name only, Colt liscenced the name "Colt" to the Colt Blackpowder Arms Co. in New York.

I didn't check these dates, but I believe that they are pretty close.

 

[Shawnee]

Wow ! Thanks a Bunch, JP !!!

 

[jphendren]

One thing that I forgot to mention. The first gen guns that were made in the 1830's were made in Patterson, New Jersey. The company did not move to Hartford until around 1848.

 

[Bad Flynch]

Third Generation are regarded as genuine Colts, too, and a factory letter can be had. They were made by Lou Imperato's gunworks that makes the Henry rifles now. The Signature Series were made by some of the same craftsmen that made the 2nd generation. Although some of the parts were made in Italy, the guns were fully hand fitted and finished in the U.S. and there are no foreign proof marks on the 3rd generation guns. The bluing and case-hardening formulas were proprietary Colt formulas. Colt shipped the last batch from the factory to Natchez Shooter's Supply.

 

[Pancho]

Bad Flynch, I wished that I'd read your thread before contributing to another thread saying that I thought that the 3rd gen. was made and assembled by Uberiti. I stand corrected.

 

[.44walkersabot]

Shawnee---I like that sir. "August Gentlemen of The Charcoal". That is so cool. (Talking about me undoubtedly. I understand you had to refer to me in the plural sense so as not to give the impression you were deliberately omitting these other folk) " Gentleman of The Charcoal"...Yeah, I like that a whole lot...Okay...

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Shawnee--- I told you I liked that name--(.44WS)...Okay...