Another Colt 1849

[Leadeye]

Finished up another 1849 today, it was missing a hand spring, but that was easily made from shim stock. Found a little chunk of leather used as a spacer on the hammer spring and I had to wonder how long that had been in there. Maybe to change spring tension and hammer strength? Either way the hammer spring needed a bending and heat treating as there was no strength to it at all. It's a little too strong now so I'm leaving it cocked to see if it settles down.

 

[TipBledsoe]

Thanks for sharing and including the photo.
If those could tell their story - that would surely be interesting to hear.

 

[Mad John]

!849 .31 Colts are alot of fun and actually quite reasonable for a gun that production ended in 1872. There are so many variations that you could build a heck of a collection Of just 49s.
I have one that Letters to Mr. Jno. Brewster Proprietor of the Brewster House Hotel in Freeport Illinois sent in May 1857. The Brewster was the premier Hotel in Northwest Illinois. Abraham Lincoln stayed there along with Stephen A. Douglas for the Famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates in August 1858. US Grant and other Presidents stayed at the Brewster.

 

[billtool]

!849 .31 Colts are alot of fun and actually quite reasonable for a gun that production ended in 1872. There are so many variations that you could build a heck of a collection Of just 49s.
I have one that Letters to Mr. Jno. Brewster Proprietor of the Brewster House Hotel in Freeport Illinois sent in May 1857. The Brewster was the premier Hotel in Northwest Illinois. Abraham Lincoln stayed there along with Stephen A. Douglas for the Famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates in August 1858. US Grant and other Presidents stayed at the Brewster.

Wow. Right on.
I lived in Freeport for a couple years of my childhood. Had no idea of that history.