in 1993 (which produced the 3rd Generation Colt Blackpowder line through 2002), recalls that Forgett sold Colt's the components (rough castings) to build the first 2nd Generation 1851 Navy revolvers, which were completed at the Hartford factory from 1971 through 1973. Imperato, who founded Colt Blackpowder Arms Co.
4, 1864.Īs for the tooling used to make the later percussion models produced through 1873, it was simply discarded over the years, so Colt's could never have brought back the 1851 Navy, or any other percussion era model had it not been for Forgett, Uberti and, ultimately, Lou Imperato. There have been countless tales how Colt's dusted off the old tooling from the 1851 and began manufacturing new guns at Hartford, which would have been very interesting had the tooling not been destroyed when a fire razed most of the factory on Feb. They chose the Colt 1851 Navy as the first percussion revolver to be reproduced in Italy in 1958.Īfter a dozen years and thousands of Colt reproductions, the success of the Italian-made '51 Navy-which Aldo Uberti frequently supplied to filmmaker Sergio Lione and Clint Eastwood for early spaghetti westerns-had finally come to the attention of the company that invented it. The tale of the 2nd Generation Colt black-powder line actually began in the late 1950s with Val Forgett, founder of Navy Arms, and Italian gunmakers Vittorio Gregorelli and Aldo Uberti.
#Colt 2nd generation black powder for sale series
With the reintroduction of the legendary 1851 Navy-a gun made famous by James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok-Colt's embarked on an 11-year odyssey that would result in one of the most popular and collectible series the Hartford, Connecticut, armsmaker would ever produce. One of the more interesting footnotes in the company's story, however, began in 1971, when it made the unprecedented decision to re-introduce a model it had last built in 1873.
Throughout the storied history of Colt's, there has been a succession of illustrious models, from the innovative Paterson revolvers of the late 1830s to the 1860 Army-the principal sidearm of Civil War Union officers-to the 1873 Peacemaker and Model 1911A1, the most distinguished military sidearm in American history. 'Metallic Cartridge Conversions' - by Dennis Adler - a worthwhile book for the folks interested in the time frame immediately following the Civil War.Īlso by Adler - 'Colt Blackpowder - Reproductions and Replicas' - a better reference, but out of print. Though the later 'Signature Series' is touched upon - it doesn't seem to have the 'cachet' of being a 'real' Colt. Much has been speculated about as to the 'actual' manufacturers of these fine revolvers - and the following references will illuminate much of the history behind their recent production.Ī note - this article really concerns the 'true' 2d Generation Colt Black Powder revolver. In the early 1970's - Colt decided to reproduce much of their original product line - starting with the famed 'Squareback' Model 1851 Navy and continuing on to the big Dragoons - beautifully-made guns, all - with the rich Colt Blue, and distinctive color-case-hardening. Of course - this was true of many other guns - but the Colt was more or less ubiquitous - most likely because of its military connotation and the subsequent familiarity with it. The big 1860 Army Colts - and the smaller 1851 Navys - and all of the rest - saw service far past the their initial Military service and well into the Cartridge Era - many eventually being converted for cartridge use, after the Rollin White patent for bored-through cylinders elapsed. Many C&WAS folks carry and use cap and ball revolvers as a part of their Impression - and with good reason - there were thousands available - beyond what was carried during 'the War', and brought home by returning veterans.Īfter the Civil War - they were available through the sales of Government surplus, and for someone headed West - they were fairly cheap. To start this forum off, I'll re-visit earlier articles.
0 kommentar(er)
