Old West Six Guns

[Moonpie]

Nobody likes those old junkers.

 

[Leadeye]

I like the Schofield revolvers, here's a Navy arms one with a set of giraffe bone grips I picked up froma guy who does esxcellent work with these. While much stronger they look like vintage ivory. The vintage Heiser holsters go well with this stuff.

 

[TipBledsoe]

There are some misconceptions about those two Colt Models.
The Model 1877 DA was available in only three calibers. The .38 Colt model was known as the "Lightning" in many variations and finishes. The next was the .41 Colt known as the "Thunderer" and it too came in many variations and finishes. AND the rarity of the 1877's is the one in .32 Colt known as the "Rainmaker". Rarely seen and even more rarely offered for sale. Expect to spend in the thousands for a "Rainmaker"! The Model 1877 went out of production in 1909.
The Model 1878 was a whole different ballgame. The big brother to the 1877, was a far more robust revolver. It was offered in several calibers and many variations and finishes. The 78 was successful and widely used but at that time it had a lot of competition from other manufacturers of double action revolvers.
I hope this helps.

Help Mad John! What you said threw me for a loop. I thought I had a good handle on the early DA Colt's, but apparently I don't.

I thought the model 1877 was called the Lightening and the 1878 was called the Thunderer, but I'm understanding you to say that those names follow the caliber instead of the model, right?

Is the model 1878 called the Frontier, no matter the caliber?

Neither the 1877 or the 1878 have swing-out cylinders, correct?

 

[Leadeye]

The 1878 was called the "Omnipotent". Rainmaker, Lightning and Thunderer all go with the 1877. The term Frontier applied to guns chambered in 44-40. Other than the Frontier handle, the names weren't Colt official, they came from a distributor named Ben Kitterege.

The 1878 is also called the 1902, sometimes "alaskan" model, but it is the version that the army finally bought with the large trigger and heavy hammer spring, all in 45 Colt.

The Colt 1889 is the first swing out cylinder revolver they make, chambered in 38 LC. The 1878 when it was designed borrowed heavily from the SAA. Some of the parts are interchangeable.

 

[tonelar]

It's in Fredericksburg, a few hours away from me. It's definitely closer to me than it is to you.

The Schofields are fun shooters and it's really fun breaking open the action and throwing spent brass everywhere.

I'm not as big of a fan of those shorter barrel Remingtons, mainly due to the look but I wouldn't kick 'em out of bed for eating crackers either.

-My screwy geography had Fredricksburg much closer to Houston than it actually is.

-My stumpy .44 Russian empties do flying when there’s a stage requiring a reload.

-We’re opposites in regards to the Remis, I shoot CAS and got the shorter ones cause to me, they point and move better shot to shot.

 

[tonelar]

The idea that cowboys (settlers, rangers, etc) preferred the same ammo in their pistol & rifle was where the “Frontier“ designation originated.

In those days that was made possible w/ firearms chambered in .44-40.

 

[SQLGeek]

Ah, I don’t shoot SASS/CAS so I get the practical implications. I do want to try it one day. I just like the look of the 7.5 barrel more.

 

[tonelar]

Careful... it’s addicting.

OWSS matches had more distant pistol targets, so longer barrels made sense at their shoots, sadly I haven’t found an OWSS club locally.

Nobody likes those old junkers.

You’re right. Folks love ‘em.

 

[Armybrat]

I’ve owned this ‘51 Navy made in 1861 since 1968. Somebody long before me did the nickel finish & revarnished the grips. Action & lockup are very tight, plus a good bore. Guess they used it as a shooter.

 

[Armybrat]

Out of Old Mexico 50+ years ago... looks like some cantina backroom gunsmithing to cut off this Navy conversion serial #173 (postwar assembly from leftover parts?) and make it a “fastdraw” or for better concealed carry.
The EJR was removed & lever screw hole filled in.
Backstrap & trigger guard have lots of nickel, and the rimfire conversion was again converted to centerfire.

 

[Mad John]

Old single action six-guns are fascinating and nostalgic. I teend to carry a number of different ones depending on my mood. I am moody....
Here is nice old S&W Third Model Russian with factory ivories in .44 Russian that gets noticed when I am toting it.

 

[Mad John]

Percussion six guns are an all time favorite of mine. Especially those from the Civil War. There are so many different made during that war. Of course Colt is the top of the list.
Here is one of mine that is a prize in my collection. Pretty rare as are all 1861 Navies but this one is just plain rarely seen. With military inspectors marks.