Good Book

[jcowan]

What is a good book to learn about the black powder Colt's. I know that there is a lot on the internet, but I would like a book to be able to research models and variations and see pictures of each.

 

[scrat]

The one MEC wrote is pretty good. Mike Cumptson is our very own writer.



http://www.amazon.com/Percussion-Pi...7962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1243379202&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Percussion-Revolvers-Guide-History-Performance/dp/0595436242/ref=pd_sim_b_5

 

[mykeal]

I'll second what scrat said; I highly endorse mec's book. It's my go to reference on many different black powder revolvers. It does a fine job on the Colts and covers many other designs as well. And mec is unusually (for this sport) unbiased in his reporting on the various makes.

For Colts only, try Colt Single Action: From Patersons to Peacemakers by Dennis Adler, and
A History of the Colt Revolver and the Other Arms Made by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company from 1836 to 1940 by Haven and Belding.

If you want to learn to work on them, there's no better text than:
The Colt single action revolvers: A shop manual--volumes I & II by Jerry Kuhnhausen

 

[scrat]

He needs to write another one though i already ready these two books till im blue in the face. need something on converion cylinders and stuff

 

[Old Fuff]

What is a good book to learn about the black powder Colt's.

By this do you mean the original Colt's made during the 19th century, or the current replicas and reproductions of those guns? Or perhaps both? Also is your interest focused on shooting or history - or both?

 

[scrat]

Old Fuff quit making things complicated your going to hurt yourself. hahahahhaha how was your weekend

 

[Old Fuff]

Oh I had a miserable weekend. (sob, whimper). I went over to that auction site that’s filled with original Colt’s, Remington’s, Smith & Wesson’s, Winchester’s – you name it they got it. But you know, it was “look but don’t touch.” Well anyway I looked plenty, and even learned a few things.

But never have I seen so much, going for the prices that stuff is. Not just guns, but everything else.

And then when I wasn’t looking I overstuffed myself – really pigged out.

Times are hard these days… Getting so bad I can’t cheat old widow ladies out of the guns their late husbands left them. Everybody is getting too smart because of all the blabbermouths on the Internet. What’s an honest crook too do???

 

[scrat]

hahahahahaahah

 

[Old Fuff]

Is you anywhere near Anahiem??? If so you should go down and take a look...

 

[Fingers McGee]

What is a good book to learn about the black powder Colt's. I know that there is a lot on the internet, but I would like a book to be able to research models and variations and see pictures of each.

In addition to what has been suggested:

'51 Colt Navies by Nathan Swayze

A History of the Colt Revolver by Haven & Belden

Colt Blackpowder Reproductions and Replicas by Dennis Adler

Colt Percussion Revolvers - The Second Generation by Dennis Russel

Colt - An American Legend by R.L. Wilson

Metallic Cartridge Conversions by Dennis Adler

 

[poordevil]

I have this old hard cover book from the 1950s called "Colt Firearms From 1836" by James Serven. He was a Colt collector and the book goes into deep detail about all the guns Colt made. Nothing about replicas just the original guns. Lots of history about the percussion pistols. He has pictures of all the guns broken down so you can see how they worked and what kind of parts they had. Every detail is covered about these pistols, where they were made, when they were made, how the design for the different models evolved, who was instrumental in making design changes, just about anything you would want to know about Colts percussion pistols James Serven brings to light. He talks a lot about the people involved with these guns and quotes those who owned and use them and of course Sam Colt gets a lot of coverage. It is an old heavy book printed on high quality semi glossy paper. There are many photos all in sharp detailed black and white.

I got my copy years ago before I even had a PC. The first time I saw it was at my local public library. They wouldn't let you check it out, strictly a reference book. But after I saw it and spent some time with it I wanted it, so I found an old copy in good shape through one of the used bookstores here in Seattle. I was at the library researching Cormac McCarthy's harrowing novel Blood Meridian, trying to find out what the heck kind of pistols Glanton received in that Mexican courtyard. The only Colt revolver I was aware of was the cartridge firing Peacemaker and here was McCarthy describing some kind of muzzle loading Colt



So that was how I discovered black powder revolvers. Then I found out that replicas were available that I could take out and shoot and that got me started on this black powder revolver shooting gig.

 

[4v50 Gary]

My only complaint about Mike's book is that the pictures, as reproduced, do not do his book justice. When you see Mike's photos online, your jaw drops. When the printers reproduce those same photos, it's ho-hum. Do get Mike's book though.

 

[jcowan]

Thanks all for some great info. Sorry to not getting back to this thread sooner, too busy of a week to get to the computer, which also means I missed the end of an auction for an 1851 conversion that I should be the proud owner of right now. I will start with MEC's book and continue from there. The computer age has truly changed me, I was thinking about Amazon.com and different gun shops and never even considered the Library. I am going there also. Thanks

 

[jcowan]

Ordered MEC's book