WTB 1860 Army, preferably Colt 3rd Gen, but will consider Uberti as well

[Jed Irons]

Hey, all.  I want to have Gary Barnes make me one of his Thuer conversions but first I need an 1860 Army.  He recommended a Colt (2nd or 3rd gen) for looks, but I know those aren't plentiful and can get expensive, so if you have a Uberti I'd love to take a look at that as well.  The Uberti would have to be made prior to 2015 (Uberti made some changes to the gun that make the conversion more difficult).  Anyone have one of these?

 

Thanks, all!

[Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329]

3rd generation Colt 1860 IS a Uberti

--Dawg

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

2nd Gen Colt 1860 is also a Uberti 

Rooster 

[Earl Brasse, SASS #3562]

What exactly did they change?

 

[Jed Irons]

Did not know this!  Interesting.  But, they do have prettier case hardening.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

11 hours ago, Jed Irons said:

Did not know this!  Interesting.  But, they do have prettier case hardening.

Not real case hardening .

Just Chemical's ! 

[Trigger Mike]

I think I can help you out.  I have a Uberti 1860 Army.  I bought it around 2011 or 2012 but only used it in one match .  It came with a spring job done and refinished to a finish that antiques as you clean it over time.  the polish on the grips had been sanded off so natural wood shows.  It was new when I bought it.  They guy who did the work went out of business last I heard.  It did real well in the match I used it.  I can email a picture.  It also has tress nipples with one nipple painted red so you know not to cap that chamber.  Just to be sure, can you ship cap and ball to you directly in your state?  some states you can not I hear.  $280 shipped.

[Kid Curry, SASS# 2924]

I thought the first ones were uberti parts assembled by colt and the later ones were all uberti. Wrong or right?  

[Jed Irons]

Trigger Mike, I'll send you a PM.

[Jed Irons]

Nevermind, Mike, messaging says you cannot receive messages!  So, would you mind sending me a picture or two?  My email is ryan.agadoni@biola.edu.  Thanks!

[Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329]

From the Colt Forum:

"Very briefly, let’s also not forget the history of the Colt 2nd Generation “C” Series and “F” Series and their relationship to Iver Johnson. It was Lou Imperato who persuaded Colt to assume production of their percussion revolvers. It is also Lou Imperato who had purchased Iver Johnson. Since Uberti had been producing the 1851 Navy since around 1959-60 and possibly the 1860 Army in 1962-63 for Navy Arms, Lou Imperato came to an agreement with Val Forgett to provide parts from Uberti for the Colt revolvers. These early revolvers were assembled and finished at the Colt factory thus the “C” Series. In 1977 after Lou Imerato had assumed direct control of the parts issue from Val Forgett, the “F” Series were produced at the Iver Johnson factory in Middlesex, NJ. 

Now the interesting part, most replica Iver Johnson percussion revolvers have code dates between 1975-1978. It appears that Iver Johnson was importing finished replica revolvers from Uberti at the same time that they were supplying parts to Colt. When the Colt revolvers started being produced at Iver Johnson in 1977 the Iver Johnson marked replicas disappear. It is also interesting to note that the first “F” Series Colt revolvers were packed in the black boxes with a note that stated that they were produced at the Iver Johnson factory!

 

1971 to 1982 were the years of the '2nd generation' Colt percussion blackpowder revolvers. Zeke has provided good information on where these revolvers may have been manufactured. No matter where the parts came from, or where it was assembled, the revolver went through the distribution channels of Colt and therefore are considered Colts and can be verified and Lettered by Colt. Both the 'C' series (1971-1976) and the 'F' series (1978-1982) are equally collectable. Each series has a 'standard' production model and a variety of limited editions. The 'F' series may seem more populat because there are 10 different models to choose from (1851 Navy, 1860 Army, 1861 Navy, 1862 Pocket Police, 1862 Pocket of Navy Caliber, Walker, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Dragoons, and the Baby Walker). The 'C' series only has two models; 1851 Navy and 3rd Dragoon. 

 

Also from the Colt Forum:

 

Colt´s Manufacturing Company, Inc. is the previous manufacturer of 2nd Generation Colt percussion revolvers located in Hartford, CT. Colt used subcontractors to supply rough castings for the manufacture of these black powder pistols. Throughout the production years 1971-1982, these rough castings were produced in Italy and the reproductions were completed in the United States. Initially, Val Forgett and Navy Arms provided these parts/components during 1971-73. Lou Imperato supplied these parts from 1974 to 1976. In both instances, these revolvers were assembled and finished in Colt´s facilities in Connecticut. Finally, from 1978 to 1982, Colt subcontracted both parts procurement and final production to Lou Imperato and Iver Johnson Arms in Middlesex, NJ. Colt percussion revolvers produced by Iver Johnson had frames, center pins, nipples, and screws manufactured in the United States. In all instances, these revolvers were manufactured in accordance with Colt´s strict specifications and quality control. Additionally, Colt´s performed final inspection for all models. All percussion models manufactured from 1971 through 1982, either by Colt or its subcontractor, are regarded as authentic Colt pistols and not Italian replicas.
The Colt Custom Shop also produced a limited number of special editions through the early 1990s from 2nd Generation production inventory.

The "C" Series 2nd gen.s

COLT´S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. : "C" SERIES These Colt percussion revolvers were reintroduced in 1971 (1851 Navy) and 1974 (3rd Model Dragoon). Both models were discontinued in late 1976 (no reference is made to them in either the 1977 Colt Catalog or Colt Price List). The 1851 Navy and Third Model Dragoon were the only models to be produced in both the "C" Series and "F" Series configurations. While the fit and finish of both series is of the highest quality, the difference is unmistakable. The "C" Series has a beautiful bright "Royal Blue" finish while the "F" Series has a more durable dark "Colt Blue" finish. Another distinguishing feature is the serial number range (4201 to 25099 for the "C" Series 1851 Navy and 20901 to 25099 for the "C" Series Third Model Dragoon).

The "F" Series

COLT´S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. : "F" SERIES Production of these revolvers began in November 1978 with the 1860 Army and continued with the release of the various models described below until all production ceased in November 1982. Special Edition and Limited Edition models continued to be issued from the Colt Custom Shop inventory through the mid-1990s. Rumors persist, even at this late date, that a few in-the-white specimens are still hidden away at Colt´s. "F" Series revolvers were produced with a durable dark "Colt Blue" finish while the "C" Series finish is a more lustrous "Royal Blue." 


COLT BLACKPOWDER ARMS CO. Previous manufacturer and retailer of 3rd Generation Colt Black Powder pistols and muskets located in Brooklyn, NY 1994-2002.
All 3rd Generation Colt black powder models are also referred to as Signature Series Models.
A reprise of the original Colt Black powder line, along with historic models not offered in the 2nd Generation, and a new series of Commemoratives, each model (with the exception of the Heirloom Tiffany 1860 Armyand 1842 Texas Paterson) bears the Sam Colt signature on the back strap. These 3rd Generation modelswere manufactured under an authorized licensing agreement with Colt Firearms by Colt Black powder ArmsCompany – the same company (and many of the same craftsmen) responsible for the 2nd Generation Coltrevolvers. Although parts for the Signature Series were cast in Italy, they were fully assembled and hand finished in the United States using the proprietary Colt formulas for bluing and color case hardening.
Colt Black powder Arms Company Signature Series revolvers are regarded as authentic Colt pistols. The 3rd Generation models have original Colt markings, including the barrel address and serial number stampings. There are no foreign proof marks on these authentic Colt models.

 

The real expert is Fingers McGee -- PM him 

--Dawg

 

 

[Trigger Mike]

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