In between cylinders on 1860 Army

[jgh4445]

Is there a reason that the hammer fits and rests nicely between the caps on the 1860 army cylinder. Almost like a "safety position" of sorts. It seems as if that might be for carrying the cylinder with six loaded chambers and the hammers resting between so it can't go off. Something tells me this is not correct. I've always heard to never carry 6, only 5. Why is the gun made this way?

 

[Jaymo]

They're safety notches, for the purpose you guessed.

 

[mykeal]

Those notches are indeed intended as a safety position to rest the hammer on a cylinder with 6 loaded chambers.

 

[BHP FAN]

I thought the Colts had pins, and the Remington had notches?

 

[junkman_01]

Colts have pins, Remingtons have notches.

 

[gunnysmith]

Colts have pins, Remingtons have notchesAnd Ruffles Have Ridges.
Sorry had to do it.LOL

 

[jgh4445]

Cool. Nice to know thanks. Oh...Ubertis have notches or ruffles or ridges.

 

[hang fire]

They're safety notches, for the purpose you guessed.
__________________
Ayo Gurkhali!

In reality, they are "supposedly" safety notches, never put any trust in them for six loaded chambers, carry five and stay alive.

 

[Hellgate]

The little square gap in the bottom of the hammer face is supposed to fit over tiny pins sticking out on the back of the cylinder between the nipples which prevent the cylinder from rotating and letting the hammer glide onto a capped nipple. All the Colt repros have this notch in the hammer face but not all repro cylinders have the corresponding "safety pins" for the hammer to rest over.

 

[jgh4445]

Thanks Hellgate. Took a look and sure enough, there are those tiny pins on the back of the cylinder. When I lowered the hammer onto them so that the notch in the bottom of the face of the hammer covers them, the cylinder is locked and won't budge. Well, I just keep on learning stuff on here. Thanks to all who have contributed to my education!

 

[StrawHat]

Hellgate ... All the Colt repros have this notch in the hammer face ...

Here is a very early reproduction 1851.



No safety notch and a nice square cut for the rear sight. No pins on the cylinder either. As a matter of fact, the cylinder was plain, not engraved. One of the earlier Uberti's.

 

[Hellgate]

Straw Hat,
I guess I'll have to say "all the Colt repros I've ever owned or handled have the safety notch in the hammer". You got me for sure. Are you sure that early Uberti hasn't been modified? The hammer face looks like it has been dressed or reblued. I've also never seen a Colt C&B hammer with a squared sighting notch come that way from the factory either. Looks like you have a rare one and a nice "keeper".

 

[kohana]

I read, on a SASS forum I think, that guys would fill that notch in with braze to keep the cap from sticking to it and causing a jam. I would then consider flushing the pins also.
Bob

 

[junkman_01]

Actually the common fix is to fill it with JB weld and remove the pins. I have made that mod to all my Colt types.

 

[Smokin'Joe]

With a little tool time you cam make a real solid hammer:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=607779

 

[StrawHat]

That 1851 is unfired and original, came that way from the factory. I have used that rear sight notch as a pattern for my shooters.

 

[Hellgate]

I submitted the article published in the SASS Cowboy Chronicle recommending and describing the filling in of the notch to reduce cap jams. The idea was first suggested on the SASS Wire by Fingers McGee who got the idea from Noz. Looks like Uberti had it right to begin with but dropped it early on. I suspect they were concerned about the safety aspects and the liability. That's what the Alchemista told me (liability/insurance issues) as to why Pietta won't fill in their notches even on the guns that have no safety pins.

 

[Dellbert]

I understand that your talken about the 1860s and the two 60s I have need the hammers filed to get the POA to the POI. I was also wanting to ask the Dragoon and Walker I have only have one pin on the cylinders why is that? I'm not trying to highjack the thread just thought you guys were the ones to ask.








Dell

 

[Hellgate]

Dell,
There should be a small hole in the hammer face of the Walker to fit over the pin on the back of the cylinder to keep the hammer from slipping. My older ASM Walker had that setup but the caps kept getting stuck into the hole so I tapped a short bit of copper wire into the hole and stopped the cap grabbing. My Uberti Walker and Dragoon have the standard notch cut into the bottom of the hammer face.

 

[Berkley]

Dellbert wrote:

the Dragoon and Walker I have only have one pin on the cylinders why is that?

Sam Colt's original Paterson revolvers had no provision for any sort of "safety" position. When Colt and Samuel Walker designed the new model of 1847, a single "safety pin" was added to the rear of the cylinder. As anyone who has used one knows, they are easily mashed and worn by repeated or inattentive use. Six pins obviously improve the durability of the feature. In 1850 Colt patented a design using multiple cylinder safety pins and a hammer face hole, and made them part of subsequently produced pistols.