Colt Root

[pohill]

I'm looking for info on the internals of a Colt 1855 Root revolver. The hammer will cock but will not stay cocked, the trigger does not drop, and the cylinder does not lock in place (I don't have the gun to take apart). Does anyone have a repro or original that can explain the mechanics?
Thanks.

 

[Dr.Rob]

You might contact Dixie Gun works for a manual/parts list as they make a repro:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=7856

 

[pohill]

It looks like the parts might be pricey.
http://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=128

 

[unknwn]

dimes to dollars it has a case of hardened/sticky once-was lubricant.

 

[arcticap]

Here's a Colt Model 1855 Root Revolver parts diagram (click to embiggen):

http://www.bevfitchett.com/firearms-assembly/images/3523_2499_1108-colt-patent.jpg


It's located on this page along with some other Model 1855 diagrams:

http://www.bevfitchett.com/firearms-assembly/sidehammer-revolver.html

 

[pohill]

Great link and info. Thanks. I looked at the gun I described today but I didn't have a clue as to why it wasn't working as it should. It's definitely not as simple as the opentop Colts.

 

[Jim K]

Gawd, those are awful guns to work on. Almost as bad as the Colt Lightning rifle and the Model 1877 revolvers.

Jim

 

[pohill]

I got some really good info today from East Taylor LLC.
Helpful and knowledgeable people.
http://www.partsforantiqueguns.com/index2.html

 

[Digger Odell]

Boot to the Root!

Hi pohill!
Good luck with the Root! Jim K. certainly is the one with the knowledge about these cantankerous firearms. He was able to help me out a couple of years ago with mine, which amounted to properly adjusting the main spring on mine. However in an attempt to take it down further just for the sake of taking it down, I found 2 of the screws for the side plate shaped like a crankshaft on a chevy 350, v8. So I just put every thing back & have been looking for replacement screws. Good luck with your Root.

Digger

Aren't guns fun!!