COLT issues of the 1851 Colt Navy Revolver

Where can I find information about the number of times COLT issued the 1851 Navy Revolver? I am confused about what was/is the second generation? What was/is the Signature Series? Where were commemoratives positioned? What are the real differences between these guns and the original 1851's? I guess I am also asking when is a replica NOT a replica? Thanks. Bob.

Colt wanted to save money back in the 60s and 70s so they laid off the craftsmen and sub contracted a lot of work out. They were one of the first companies to make the phrase 'buy American' meaningless. Many of the 'Second Generation' pistols were either made in entirety by Uberti of Italy (possibly some other companies as Colt doesn't talk much about this), or parts were. Then the whole thing was stamped Colt, Hartford Connecticut (etc.) and sold as a Colt. Well legally it is a Colt and if one part was made in America and it was assembled and stamped Colt here, then the fact that the other 98% was made in another country doesn't count and it is made in America, or so some want you to believe. We see the same game with cars. Japanese or Korean steel, parts made in the Pacific Rim, then all of it stuck together here and we are supposed to believe it is an American car. Man I miss the IH Scout. All of it, even the steel, made and forged in America. Colt stopped making the percussion pistols back in the 1800s. In the 1970s people started recreation shooting reverse engineered replicas made by Uberti and a few craftsmen. Colt saw a chance to earn a fast buck and jumped back in the game. For some of the models they picked up serial numbering right where the old ones left off. I think if you check a copy of 'Flayderman's Antique Firearms,' you should see the serial number ranges. Colts actually made in the 1800s are considered to be worth more than comparable replicas in similar condition. Some people fake them so be careful when buying. Interestingly enough, some of the replicas are better because of better materials, and improvements in design (sear angles, better springs and steel, etc.). Some are worse and can scarcely be made to be fired at all. Some brands vary in quality from year to year and lot to lot.

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# Colt stopped making the percussion pistols # back in the 1800s. In the 1970s people started recreation shooting reverse # engineered replicas made by Uberti and a few craftsmen. Colt saw a chance to # earn a fast buck and jumped back in the game. # There was a really fascinating article in one of the recient gun mags about the Colt reissued black powder revolvers. Handguner maybe? I think I left the magazine up in Vermont. If I find it, I'll post the publication and issue.

# Where can I find information about the number of times COLT issued the # 1851 Navy Revolver? I am confused about what was/is the second # generation? What was/is the Signature Series? Where were # commemoratives positioned? What are the real differences between these # guns and the original 1851's? I guess I am also asking when is a # replica NOT a replica? Thanks. Bob. # This is an example why it's not a good idea to go from my memory.

Guns & Ammo, Sept 2002, Volume 46, No.9 had an article entitled 'Cap & Ball Resurrection', by Dennis Adler.

It was excerpted from Dennis Adler's latest book, 'Second Edition Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values', $17.95, published by Blue Book Poublications, Dept. GA, 9009 34th Ave. So., Suite 175, Minneapolis, MN 55425 (800) 877-4867; www.bluebookinc.com