Colt revolver
- Thread starter Racinbob
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Digger Odell
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Old Line
Hi Racinbob
What you have there is an OLD LINE .22 cal. (short) single action Pocket Revolver. The barrel is removable by throwing the rotary catch to one side. They usually had a nickel finish. Some were made with an ejector on the right side similar to the Frontier but was discontinued soon after. The one you show has the high hammer spur The low hammer spur was a later feature.
They were made from 1871 to 1885.
Resource, A History of The Colt Revolver, By Charles T. Haven and Frank A. Belden.
Enjoy, guns are fun.
Digger
Hi Racinbob
What you have there is an OLD LINE .22 cal. (short) single action Pocket Revolver. The barrel is removable by throwing the rotary catch to one side. They usually had a nickel finish. Some were made with an ejector on the right side similar to the Frontier but was discontinued soon after. The one you show has the high hammer spur The low hammer spur was a later feature.
They were made from 1871 to 1885.
Resource, A History of The Colt Revolver, By Charles T. Haven and Frank A. Belden.
Enjoy, guns are fun.
Digger
Last edited:
Open top 22 (Old line)
Excellent post by Digger Odel,
Just a couple things to add. Its important that the numbers match. You should see a number under the barrel just behind the latch and also a matching number under the brass frame below the grips. The walnut grips often too have matching numbers on the inside of the grips. Be careful removing the grips on this one!The grip screw passes thru a fixed hole in the frame so the screw must be completely removed before you try to remove the grips. The barrel address should be clear and ledgeable and the action should work. Don't try to fire this puppy either. Its a black powder gun and a modern 22 short would blow the cylinder into bits and/or buldge the barrel. In the back of the Dixie gunworks catalog they have a photo of one of these engraved and in pieces from someone trying to fire a modern round thru it. CB caps might work but "I wouldn't". Just enjoy its history as being from the old west carried in a vest pocket or perhaps even a garder belt.
Excellent post by Digger Odel,
Just a couple things to add. Its important that the numbers match. You should see a number under the barrel just behind the latch and also a matching number under the brass frame below the grips. The walnut grips often too have matching numbers on the inside of the grips. Be careful removing the grips on this one!The grip screw passes thru a fixed hole in the frame so the screw must be completely removed before you try to remove the grips. The barrel address should be clear and ledgeable and the action should work. Don't try to fire this puppy either. Its a black powder gun and a modern 22 short would blow the cylinder into bits and/or buldge the barrel. In the back of the Dixie gunworks catalog they have a photo of one of these engraved and in pieces from someone trying to fire a modern round thru it. CB caps might work but "I wouldn't". Just enjoy its history as being from the old west carried in a vest pocket or perhaps even a garder belt.
Thanks guys. That's some excellent information. This belongs to my brother and I'll pass it on to him. Especially the black powder part. I understand but it was clear when I was up in Indiana last week visiting that he doesn't. He was talking about using smokeless in a muzzle loader he has. I did my best to make it clear to him. NO!!!!!
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