There ya go Fingers, I knew that a 'gentleman and scholar' like you would come in here and give a good concise history of the 2nd and 3rd 'gen' Colts. I was typing from memory, was going to look up more info in a book, but the Mrs. was telling me to get my 'kiester' up and into the kitchen for supper. I recall back in the 70's seeing adverts and Colt catalogs with the 'new' Colt percussion revolvers thinking maybe I should start picking a few of them up, they could be worth a lot more someday. Ah, but growing kids and only 'X' amount of dollars as a LEO took care of that, kids are worth more anyway.
I am looking at a 3rd model dragoon and walker, both part of a colt series with the colt markings. They come in the black box with gold trim, a rubber foam cushion cut to accommodate the pistol. I'm not sure what "generation" they are . I have already ordered a copy of Dennis Russell's book but is won't arrive for a few days.
Once or both of the pistols have a colt escutcheon on the grip or the backstrap. Sorry I don't have photos.
thx
echoe:: Not sure what you are talking about ref the escutcheon on the grip or backstrap. Have never seen either the 2nd or 3rd Gen Colts with either. The 3rd's have Sam Colts Signature as I previously penned on the backstrap, but other than that neither even have the 'Rampart Colt' as most other Colt firearms have. Maybe you could be more specific if you don't have photo's. If the revolvers you are talking about are 2nd's as the black box would indicate, make sure the serial numbers on the boxes match the guns and no 'tricks of the crooked trade' restamped any numbers. Heard of sellers taking regular production Uberti's and either a black or silver 2nd/3rd Gen boxes and trying to sell the guns as 2nd or 3rd gens. Unfortunately there are 'wolves' even in the gun trade. I've heard of 'wolves' trying to sell regular production Uberti percussion revolvers as 2nd Gens or 3rd's. Saw a picture of a sloppy attempt to engrave Sam Colts signature on a backstrap. Not to long ago on Gunbroker a seller had a 2nd Gen 'F' series 1860 Army Model for sale, had the black box even showed the end cap, the serial number on the box was visible, but not real clear. The picture of the revolver looked a little 'hinkey' to me as not showing the quality of finish usually with the 2nd Gens. I sent a message to the seller as he didn't show any pictures of serial numbers of the revolver in his pictures. He wrote back that he would send. No answer, sent 2nd request, no answer. The gun sold for the average value they were selling for, but wonder if the buyer got took or not.
Several years ago a gun seller at a antique show was trying to sell several guns 'on the sly'. One a well used Uberti Open Top he was selling as a 'real' 1865 Model Colt. Gave the guy a history of Colts Open Tops/Conversions and showed him the remnants of Uberti's trademark on the defarbed gun. Also had a Genuine John Wayne (his words) 45 Colt short barrel 73' Colt. Said an extra cylinder was available, but he didn't have it. The seller advised that a person could take out the plugged cylinder and put in the extra cylinder and fire the gun. Asked the guy what ya had to do with the screw going through the end of the ejector shroud holding it on that was also protruding half way into the barrel. No answer. The gun was one of the Franklin Mint Commemorative issues. Told the guy he was selling items falsely, he claimed that was what the guy who sold them to him told him. Said he got took if true, if not he was trying to deceive buyers. A lot of people were standing listening to all the back and forth, the guy grabbed his guns and put them under his table. I reported him to the personal who were running the show, they had a talk with him, never saw the guns back on his table while I was there. The following year I checked out his wares he had, he remembered me, said he had all legitimate wares this year. There are crooks out there. Be wary. If you haven't bought the guns, check them out, ask questions. Make sure box and gun have unaltered numbers. If they are real 2nd Gens, if you don't know what their selling for, Gunbroker is a pretty good gauge of selling value, some of the guys on this forum buy them also, ask for advice. Gotta go, church bells will be ringing soon.