Willie Sutton
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2013
- Messages
- 2,025
Well... another theory shot down in flames...
In another thread we were mooting if the Colt marked ASM 1860's were from the same parts source as Colt second generation, with ASM possibly using parts that were left over from Colt parts supply. As some here know, there are a few ASM made 1860's (and Walkers) of very high quality, with very good finish, and superb wood, that are marked with the full Colt Address on the top of the barrel. I've gotten three of the 1860's, all fluted (I thought that two were not, but they are all fluted), and I just was able to compare the barrel markings and other features to a second generation Colt 1860, also fluted.
Result? The Colt Address markings are different. Slightly different size, slightly different length of the entire marking. There are other contour differences in the machining of the entire revolver as well.
Finding? The Richardson imported ASM 1860's are finished to the same standard or better than the Colt, the wood is equal or nicer, fit is identical, and both are of superior quality to a Uberti and equal or better than a Centaure. This is all good. The bad? I think we've blown the theory that the barrel;s are left over from ASM providing any parts for the actual manufacture of Colt second gen 1860's.
Suspicion? The story that Val Forgett had ASM start up a Colt-Marked line of revolvers that didn't in the end result in a contract with Colt, but left an inventory of Colt marked parts at ASM that were assembled and imported by Richardson with the markings intact might be true. I can'rt speak to cylinder scene differences as the (4) cylinders in my sample set (3 ASM and 1 Colt) are all fluted and without a scene. The quality of these is IMMEASURABLY better than any other ASM production that I have seen.
Willie
.
In another thread we were mooting if the Colt marked ASM 1860's were from the same parts source as Colt second generation, with ASM possibly using parts that were left over from Colt parts supply. As some here know, there are a few ASM made 1860's (and Walkers) of very high quality, with very good finish, and superb wood, that are marked with the full Colt Address on the top of the barrel. I've gotten three of the 1860's, all fluted (I thought that two were not, but they are all fluted), and I just was able to compare the barrel markings and other features to a second generation Colt 1860, also fluted.
Result? The Colt Address markings are different. Slightly different size, slightly different length of the entire marking. There are other contour differences in the machining of the entire revolver as well.
Finding? The Richardson imported ASM 1860's are finished to the same standard or better than the Colt, the wood is equal or nicer, fit is identical, and both are of superior quality to a Uberti and equal or better than a Centaure. This is all good. The bad? I think we've blown the theory that the barrel;s are left over from ASM providing any parts for the actual manufacture of Colt second gen 1860's.
Suspicion? The story that Val Forgett had ASM start up a Colt-Marked line of revolvers that didn't in the end result in a contract with Colt, but left an inventory of Colt marked parts at ASM that were assembled and imported by Richardson with the markings intact might be true. I can'rt speak to cylinder scene differences as the (4) cylinders in my sample set (3 ASM and 1 Colt) are all fluted and without a scene. The quality of these is IMMEASURABLY better than any other ASM production that I have seen.
Willie
.