Help identifying old Colt

[MassMan]

A friend's mother just passed and he found an old Colt single action revolver in stainless. The gun has black plastic grips with the Colt horse on a raised oval on both sides. On the left side of the frame reads "Pat. Sept. 19, 1871" and under that line it reads "July 2. 72. Jan. 19. 75." It also has the Colt horse w/i a circle to the right of the above patent lines. On the left side of the barrel reads "32 W.C.F." The hammer has a small area of fine checkering only where your thumb would rest. The shell ejector rod in encased in a shroud under the barrel but slightly off center to the right. On the left side of the frame is also the button which allows the rod to be removed and the cylinder to be removed.The serial # is 277xxx. Any help in identifying this revolver would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Old Fuff]

A picture would help confirm my speculation, but I believe you have a Colt model 1873 Single Action Army revolver, that is chambered in .32-20 Winchester (also known as the .32 W.C.F. or .32 Winchester Center Fire).

The serial number should be stamped on the bottom of the frame, just in front of the trigger guard. The number you posted (277,XXX) was made in or about 1905. There is a remote possibility that it's a Bisley model, which explains the need for a picture. The stocks are not plastic in the modern sense, but black hard rubber. Given the time of manufacture it is not stainless steel. It could be nickel plated, or the original blue and case hardened finish has worn or been polished off.

The .32-20 offered an advantage, in that one could purchase and carry a Colt revolver, as well as a Winchester or Marlin lever-action rifle, and all would use the same ammunition.

 

[vanfunk]

Pics, please! Let's see this old Colt! Is your friend going to sell it?

Thanks,

vanfunk

 

[MassMan]

vanfunk, yes he is interested in selling. I have taken pictures but do not know how to post them. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[MassMan]

Pictures posted a short time ago under "old colt identification pictures." I hope this helps solve the mystery. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Jim Watson]

No mystery. You are showing a Colt Single Action Army revolver in .32 WCF = .32-20.
Not stainless, it is likely nickel plated. Kind of neglected but it looks original.
Read Olf Fuff's post.

 

[savit260]

vanfunk, yes he is interested in selling.

If you are selling, PLEASE don't let it leave Mass. Find someone in state to buy it.

 

[vanfunk]

If you are selling, PLEASE don't let it leave Mass. Find someone in state to buy it

AGREED!!! I am a MA guy We need to hold on to all the Colts we can in this state!

vanfunk

 

[savit260]

AGREED!!! I am a MA guy We need to hold on to all the Colts we can in this state!

vanfunk

If I had any money at all, I'd be making an offer on that Colt. Really would like a 1st gen SAA some day, but finding them in Ma. is a chore. I've lucked into a few old Colts here and there, but never a 1st Gen SAA. There's one up in Kittery Me. that I could almost afford if I sold off a few things and cut a few corneres, but being in Me. it does me no good at all. Just get to look at it and drool.