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Any old Colt collectors on here |
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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Posted: 13 Mar 2022 at 8:01am |
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I have became fascinated with old open top colts.
I can’t afford the real deal so I’ve started collecting the reproduction models. So far I have a 1851 Navy A 1860 Army. Hoping for a Walker next. |
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plummerscarin
Orange Level Access Joined: 22 Jun 2015 Location: ia Points: 3378 |
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I have those repros also. As well as an 1858 Army target model. Fun to shoot. Take them deer hunting during muzzleloader season. Have taken 3 so far.
And yes the real deal is out of league |
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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I have in my possession an 1858. It belongs to a close friend. He broke the front sight off. I’m trying to get it fixed for him. It’s a very neat ole gun. I hope to have one of those one day as well. I’m amazed at how accurate these are and yes lots of fun. |
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DMiller
Orange Level Access Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Hermann, Mo Points: 30715 |
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I trust the alloys in the Reproduction models better than the Originals. Many were made by small producers in blacksmith shops and the metals can be somewhat problematic. Know two persons that had used Original weapons in Demonstration shoots where one became damaged and unusable where was just a better grade of Black powder SUBSTITUTE used. The original weapons can be dangerous if use modern substitute powders.
Have a Colt's Dragoon replica, shot that heavy bugger a few times but barely controllable for a second shot. Are modern cartridge chambers available for these but I will not purchase knowing how it shoots on Black powder.
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TomC
Orange Level Access Joined: 24 Nov 2017 Location: Hillsboro, MO Points: 1544 |
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I have a couple of the replicas and a Ruger Old Army in stainless, the Ruger by far is the best and you can load it right up,one thing with any muzzle loading pistol is you have to make absolutely,100% sure, check it twice you have grease in front of the ball or you may have a flash fire, I had it happen one time, I was lucky the two that went off were right next to the one I fired, it left lead streamers down both sides of the barrel, had the bottom one touched off?? Kind of like a hand grenade going off in your hand, the Colt Walkers we're notorious for doing it, for a short time the government made a shoulder stock for the cavalry, that got shelved when people were blowing the hand off that was holding the barrel.
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John m
Silver Level Joined: 11 Apr 2020 Location: Wetmore, Mi Points: 275 |
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Did the same thing with my reproduction Colt. Had a flash over and sent two or three round across the field. I ended up throwing that dangerous bugger away. Loud boom and lots of kick.
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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I use lubed felt wads. I also use 454” balls in a 44 and 375 or 380” in 36. I make up paper cartridges and include the lubed wad between the ball and powder. |
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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Also retaining proper barrel cone to cylinder clearance helps prevent flash fire.
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Walker
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: oh Points: 8335 |
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The reason the Walkers blowed up so often in war was because the powder load was so large you could fit a double charge in them, happened often in the heat of battle. Walker was most powerful handgun till the 357 came along, something like 100 years later. |
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TomC
Orange Level Access Joined: 24 Nov 2017 Location: Hillsboro, MO Points: 1544 |
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You need to have a wad or grease on TOP of the ball as well as the wad in between the powder & the ball, lot of people don't & I guess people have maybe never heard of it, I'm here to tell you that thing will turn into a handful if would flash fire.
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Scott B
Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2013 Location: Kansas City Points: 1027 |
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Have 4 or 5. The old timer that sold me my first one said to just load and use one cylinder at a time to avoid that flash fire. Said you’re likely target shootin anyway and why not take your time and enjoy it.
Bought my first one while on a youth church group outing to Branson, Mo at the ripe ole age of 14. Our youth group leader said, “we can call your folks and if they’re good w it I’ll spot you the cash!” Dad, said no problem just write down some instructions as he’d never had one. AH, the irony of that happening today! Love firing them off at night and watching the flame shoot out the barrel! |
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D17 Series 1
Allis B- 1939 Allis B- 1945 |
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Walker
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: oh Points: 8335 |
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Chain fire is more of a common sense thing. I'm talking busy killin Johnny rebs and totally forgetting already adding powder.
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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Back in the day they had bullets shaped like candy corn. They would get deformed while loading so some loaded them point first. Would allow for more powder even yet.
That blew up walkers. Always make sure you see a commercial let’s round ring 💍 f shaved lead each time you load. A moon shape means not a good seal. I’m not fighting a war with mine so I pack grease over every ball. I make my own paper cartridges with lubed wad included. |
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Walker
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: oh Points: 8335 |
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If you are loading mini balls, good thing you ain't fighting a war. They were known as cap and ball pistols not cap and mini ball.
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Scott B
Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2013 Location: Kansas City Points: 1027 |
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The 4 or 5 I mentioned in earlier post are all replicas. But I do have a cap and ball past down from my Dad. It was dug up when they relocated John Browns house to Osawatamie, Ks for a museum. It’s for sure original though non-operational. Believe it to be in .36 caliber.
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D17 Series 1
Allis B- 1939 Allis B- 1945 |
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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Who’s loading mini balls ? |
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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That’s cool. Is it a revolver? I do have an original 1861 Springfield. It’s not a shooter. |
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Walker
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: oh Points: 8335 |
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The that's what blew up walkers made me think somebody must be. It was because of increased cylinder length to the point of being capable of holding two charges and blowing cylinder. The amount of powder you could pack around a conical bullet wouldn't be enough to blow your nose.
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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Google walker Colt billet mold. You’ll see the round ball and corn shaped bullet option. It’s neither a round ball or mini ball. The story is just something I read in Colt history. They were purposely designed to hold six shots rather than 5 and in 44 rather than 28 or 36 . They’re all designed to have the projectile just below the surface of the end of the cylinder. |
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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DMiller
Orange Level Access Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Hermann, Mo Points: 30715 |
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Are several reasons of having Grease across the face of the cylinder was one to keep the Powder DRY in wet or damp environment, next was to reduce the reaction of the lead to the Cylinder (Corrosion), A most important was cross fire cylinder firing reduction, another to add gas seal at the Barrel gap somewhat while also lubricating the rifling as the slug pushed said grease down the barrel. Was but two options to Offload these for Cleaning and inspecting the cylinder bores, fire all the shots or pull the bullets and dump the unused powder back into a storage cup to reuse.
These weapons were a learning curve, spare cylinders were often fitted where were carried almost as a Speed loader to acquire extra shots without manual hand loading a Hot Cylinder. The coming to age of the Metallic Cartridge with a replacement cylinder to use them in these became common but were still Black Powder not modern powder cartridges and many being Rimfire as well.
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DonDittmar
Orange Level Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Location: MIllersburg, MI Points: 2479 |
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Wouldnt mind having a lineup of snake guns.......
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Experience is a fancy name for past mistakes. "Great moments are born from great opportunity"
1968 D15D,1962 D19D Also 1965 Cub Loboy and 1958 JD 720 Diesel Pony Start |
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Dave H
Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Central IL Points: 3491 |
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I am not collecting but I got my pappy's 1887 45 Long Colt Frontier model. It is all in one piece but loose as a goose.
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Scott B
Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2013 Location: Kansas City Points: 1027 |
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Yep. Revolver |
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D17 Series 1
Allis B- 1939 Allis B- 1945 |
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desertjoe
Orange Level Access Joined: 23 Sep 2013 Location: New mexico Points: 13528 |
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Well,,,,,,,,,,,,UMmmmm,,,,,,I'm thinkin I got a lead on what ole Thad is plannin ,,,er .,,,Thinkin,,,and,,,and,,,,we should ALL be at least thinkin on starting to plan like ole Thad is,,, Ya'll know how them Ozark Mountain boys is on being "prepared" and nuttin wrong in being RIGHT,,,,,,,,before the chit hits the fan. I knew it when he went and stole,,,er bought that backhoe that he has some serious diggin in mind,,,,, OOOPS,,,I best stop here fore I give up all his well laid plans,,,,,,
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fjdrill
Silver Level Access Joined: 13 May 2012 Location: Alabama Points: 283 |
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Dixie Gun Works in Union City Tn, Has reproduction guns, canons and parts. If you ever get a chance to go by there-do it. They have many flint , cap and curio guns. They also have a scratch and dent table that had a few pistols on it. Their Catalog ( A Good read ) are $5.
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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Good to know. I’ve ordered from them but didn’t know they had a store. Smokey mountain knife works has a relic room in the basement. Has some nice real Colts. |
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BrianC
Orange Level Joined: 16 Jun 2011 Location: New York Points: 1617 |
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I had a 1851 navy reproduction. Must had been a 1974 model. Italian made, I think it was a Lyman import. Pretty case hardening, engraved cylinder. I always used Crisco grease to prevent multi-fire. I cast my own lead balls. I shot it so much the internals wore out, trigger wouldn't hold in the hammer notch (dangerous). You could get replacement parts, thank you, Lyman. |
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Points: 9422 |
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Did you use pure soft lead? I’ve been saving lead and wheel weights for years. I’m told not to use those for BP balls. Gonna order some soft lead from midway. |
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TomC
Orange Level Access Joined: 24 Nov 2017 Location: Hillsboro, MO Points: 1544 |
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Thad, it is better to use soft lead for casting. The open top Colts are not the strongest design, they shoot loose. They are definitely a good looking gun but not nearly as strong as one with a top strap.
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