Hi Old Fuff,
If the Ejector Rod and Star would interchange from the early era Cylinder to a later era Cylinder...then, that might be a help, if it were the Ratchet geometry which had changed.
If the location of the Cylinder indicing notch or cut were to have been re-located in it's location on the periphery of the Cylinder, of course that would be a deal breaker, but, I doubt they moved that part's location in the Frame.
Though they might have changed it's width or depth or somehting I suppose...which would then require some attentions.
But, yes...I was thinking a newer era Cylinder, going onto an older era Army Special, would have to be 'fitted' to some degree anyway, rather than being a drop-in.
But, depending on what that entails, it might not be a hardship.
I understand that usually, it is some minute aspect of the length and end geometry of the Hand, to the configuration of any particular Cylinder Ratchet, which on Colts, tends to require the Hand Fitting if replacing a Cylinder.
Hence, my curiousity, as to whether the Star and Ratchet and ejector Rod sub-assembly, could be or would interchange...thus possibly allowing a new era Cylinder to be in effect, a drop in...or, to need only some very small amount of re-fitting, if for some reason the central locating aspect of the Cylinder was to permit the Ejector Rod/Ratchet aspect to be right on, or, if it ended up possibly a few seconds or arc off or something.
If so, and, if then the only difference between the Cylinders proper, would be their Alloy or Heat Treatment, with the newer era Cylinder of course being stronger...I would be able to make that change, without feeling I have violated either the Revolver itself, or, the integrity and or Romance of the underlieing notion animating the motive for the project.
Personaly, I like the older narrow "U" channel of the rear Sight, and, the thin front Blade, half round, of the Front Sight...and that is about all I have every shot to any extent anyway.
It would detract from the mood and presence and sense of the Revolver, if these were, if the Revolver on the whole was, of a later era...even 'if' the side profile could be adjusted to come close or to represent pretty well, the look of the earlier ones.
Next Antique Arms Show ( ie: the old 'Saraha Gun Show', even if now at the Riviera ) which is coming up soon, I will see if I can find, and have some conversations with various people who are heavy into later era Colts, and, find from them recomendaitons for Gunsmiths they rely on, to whom I can appeal for possible Parts, and or obscure details of parts continuity through the variuous series or brachiations to which the Army Special, in effect, had been subject.
Orphan Cylinders occur both at Gun Shows of course, as well as on Gunbroker or other internet Auction sites, and or in the junk Boxes of Gunsmiths, and, are not usually very expensive unless minty and or for high dollar Revolver types or both.
But, since Colt did not Serial Number their Cylinders in these latter eras, or even in the earlier eras, however would one identify one, in a box of parts on a table, at a Gunshow or other, if, the Cylinder itself appears identical from the Army Special of the early 1900s,on to and through several of it's permutations up into the 1970s?
One could guess by the kind of Blue I suppose, somewhat...but...
Oye!
Thanks so much Old Fuff for your taking the time to discuss this with me, and, for your indulgence and good will that goes along with it.
It is much appreciated.
