Colt SA--what CAL is it?

[roninrlm]

Help Guys

I have this 1877 Colt SA ser # 369xx,acid etched,nickle, ect. The problem is that I am unshure of what cal it is. All the books say that there were NO 44/40's made befor sr.#38704 and mine is #369xx. The cal is marked on the trigger guard .44 CAL with a "B" under the .44 cal. The barrel is acid etched "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" So any ideas what I have here"
!

Ronin

 

[rcmodel]

If it says "Colt Frontier Six-Shooter" on it, it is a 44-40 WCF, regardless of what the serial mumber says it can't be.
But they were first chambered in that caliber in 1876 or 1877, and that is what your serial # dates too.

http://www.tortugatrading.com/engine/inspect.asp?Item=2637&Filter=Arms,+Armor

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

Remove the ejector tube assembly and see if the barrel is serial number to the gun. Also the side of the cylinder.

It is possible that (1) the revolver was assembled later on an earlier frame that was still in inventory. (2) It was one of those that was in .45 Colt, but returned later by a distributor to be converted to .44-40 because of excessive demand at the time. (3) it was returned by the owner to the factory, or a private gunsmith changed the barrel and cylinder.

The only way to know for sure is to pay Colt $100(!!) to get it lettered, but in this case it might add enough value to the revolver to more then cover the cost of the letter.

 

[CraigC]

My information dates it to 1877 but that the .44-40 was introduced in 1878, which began at 41,000. I agree with Old Fuff's three possibilities.

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, Wilson says some .44-40's are "noted" as early as the 21,000 serial range but "did not appear in quantity until 1878."

Jim