Debunks the myths surrounding the d, e and i frame python, old model trooper, detective special. This is the colt double action 38 cal sheriffs model. A shop manual, volumes 1 and 2 by jerry kuhnhausen 2 book set. Major sections of the book cover history and development, physical. Major sections of the book cover history and development, physical characteristics, and an indepth study of each of the calibers with complete production figures for both standard and engraved revolvers. If your firearm does not appear in the listing, please understand that this is not a comprehensive database. Colt s double action revolver model of 1878 1998 by don wilkerson relates the history and development of this first true bigbore da. In our many auctions at riac, some of the most sought after guns are the legendary colt single action army revolvers. Colt automatic pistols is dedicated to collectors and enthusiasts of military and commercial colt pistols, colt revolvers, colt firearms and accessories.
Here is the complete story of colts first large frame double action revolver, the model of. Information provided here is approximate, if you wish to support your investment with the purchase of a complete history and letter of authenticity for your firearm or for more information, please contact colt s archive department. It was 15 years after samuel colts death that colt firearms finally marketed a double action revolver. A shop manual, volumes 1 and 2 by jerry kuhnhausen 2 book set volume i. In 1956, i was straight out of high school and a colt python and the colt single action army each carried a. The only gunsmithing and repair manual published on the new style colt d.
The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and throughout the world. Wild bills colt navy, and wes hardins 1876 colt double action. Samuel colt experimented with doubleaction revolver systems, but he considered them to be unreliable. Safety depends on you this manual provides information on the following four types of colt double action revolver. A total of 51,210 model 1878 revolvers were manufactured from 1878 to. A lot of the books i reference will probably cost you a lot for the amount of info on british revolvers you will find. Samuel colt did not invent the revolver, but after some 200 years of development his paterson revolver of 1836 started a revolution in repeating firearms. The first doubleaction revolver that the colt factory produced after sam colts death was the 1877 lightning. This sale can end at anytime because this item is also listed for sale in our retail store. Number barrel length caliber barrel ramrod latch bolt bore brass bullet carbine cartridges centerfire chambers cock colonel colt colt revolvers colts patent cylinder engraving cylinder shape discharge double action dragoon ejector engraving of cylinder factory fire firearms grip safety grips grooves hartford holster. Double action revolvers were almost unknown in the immediate post civil war era, although the technology had been investigated and to some degree achieved. Debunks the myths surrounding the d, e and i frame python, old model trooper, detective special and other large frames with python style lock work by carefully explaining and simplifying the complex relationships between cylinder bolt.
The webley was a double action pistol with a two inch barrel, the original version of which held 5. Featured gun classifieds colt revolvers double action prewar. The only really detailed gunsmithing and repair manual on these colt revolvers ever printed. From the world s finest collection, the 100 most significant colt revolvers are presented in this handsome volume. The cowboy guns are popular among history buffs, collectible gun enthusiasts, and newcomer collectors alike. After colts patent expired in 1857, other manufacturers began producing doubleaction revolvers, but colts manufacturing did not manufacture its own doubleaction revolver until 1877, twenty years after the patent had expired. The term is most commonly used for the historical 1877 and 1878 models, but it also may refer to the following firearms. Gunsmithing the colt double action revolvers the purpose of this section is to make the colt owner aware of the pitfalls of opening up his colt and attempting to do his own repairs, and to offer advise on what repairs to undertake and what to leave to genuine colt qualified experts. There s loads of history associated with these revolvers on multiple revisions throughout their service life. Colts long history of military contracts is a testament to their quality and innovation in both a pre and postworld war age.
Colt directly developed their line of revolvers from their single action army, better known as the peacemaker. As with wilkersons other colt books, this one also covers each caliber which was offered as well as barrel lengths, total production figures and serial numbers. Heritage gun books colt double action revolvers repair. The colt single action revolver won the west by being the gun of choice on the american frontier, used by everyone from settlers and native americans to. Here is the complete story of colts first large frame double action revolver, the model of 1878. Sam colt invented the revolver as we know it, offering the first one for sale in 1836. This book cuts through and dispels all myths about these superb revolver actions. Wilson colt firearms by serven for factory letters contact. The advertising people at colt must have known just exactly how much i could stand. This is the big secret that the renowned colt gunsmiths of old used to deliver their best actions. For british military use double action revolvers such as the webley new model express no. The revolver of the american west by jeffrey richardson.
This book is the only source that i found that can sought through all this. This is considered by colt to be the official history of colt firearms. Colt cobra, the return of the colt double action revivaler. Colt single action army revolvers and the london agency c. The other revolvers are different, but the essential features of their function should be understood from the dsii illustrations. Colts double action revolver model of 1878 1998 by don wilkerson relates the history and development of this first true bigbore da. Colt s manufacturing company firearms, handguns, pistols, rifles, revolvers. Originally called the new double action selfcocking central fire six shot revolver, the model 1877 was designed by their wellknown employee, william mason, who also designed the famed single action army model of 1873. Would anyone have any other books to recommend on the british handguns 1840 or so to the end of ww1 and the history associated with them. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Wilson wrote these books with the full cooperation of colt firearms and some of the largest collectors of.
Prior to 1998 colt were making some of the best doubleaction revolvers available and amongst the many models was one called the cobra. The colt m1878 is a doubleaction revolver that was manufactured by colts manufacturing company from 1878 to 1907. The 1877 colt double action revolver unblinking eye. Due to sam colts negativity regarding doubleaction revolvers, the colt factory didnt produce one until 1877, well into the cartridge era. This revolver was designed as the double action version of colts famed single action army revolver and shared much of its history. How common were double action revolvers in the post civil. Apr 30, 2017 heritage gun books colt double action revolvers shop manual volume ii brownells. Most likely, the colt double action revolver of 1877 was a response to the introduction of the webley bulldog pistol in 1872, which was already being imported into the u. From buffalo bill to wild bill and from chief joseph to geronimo, the most famous guns in the west and the history behind them more than a few of the actual guns once in the hands of the heroes and villains of americas old west still exist, housed in a dozen museums across the countryfrom the model 1866. The colt m1878 is a doubleaction revolver that was manufactured by colts manufacturing. Colts manufacturing company firearms, handguns, pistols, rifles, revolvers. In 1836, connecticutborn gun manufacturer samuel colt 181462 received a u. Colts manufacturing company had a reputation for fine revolvers even as the century turned. That first paterson was a fiveshot, capandball revolver.
Colt single action army revolvers and the london agency. Single action revolvers were far more common than double action until after the introduction of the colt m1889 in 1889, and remained quite popular after that time. Top 10 colt single action army revolvers sold at riac. It is often referred to as the frontier or the double action army revolver. Major sections of the book cover history and development. Colts double action revolver, model of 1878 9780961787646 by wilkerson, don and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The first colt to have a double action trigger was the model 1877. It the book to have if you have interest in 1895 colt revolvers. But the guns accuracy was such that in his pioneer 1954 book colt firearms, jim serven, the. The former, a singleaction handgun associated with the old west and the latter, a.
Doubleaction revolvers replaced singleaction designs. Its first doubleaction revolver was the smallframed, sixshot lightningin. The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and throughout the world until production ceased in 1905. We have sold some highly embellished and extremely historic colt single action army revolvers in our years of operation. The colt single action revolver won the west by being the gun of. A very simple weapon to be sure, but in the infancy of its development, the double action revolver was not as reliable as its single action ancestors. Kathy hoyt colts manufacturing co inc historical research po box 1868 hartford ct. Among the most prolific were the british and belgians, who immediately began designing revolvers often with a double action trigger. In an earlier article we looked briefly at revolvers and mentioned a couple of prominent examples, the colt peacemaker m1873 or saa single action army and the smith and wesson model 10.