'51 London Colts

[HorsePen Henry]

Howdy boys,

What is the history on these revolvers? Were these iron framed models sold here in the states? Why did they call them Londons? Any info would help piece this together for me.  I sure like the looks of them iron framed '51 Colts!!!

Many thanks,

X Horse Pen

[Fingers McGee]

Short answer, they were '51 Navies made in Hartford and at an armory in London that had iron backstraps & trigger guards.  The british prefered iron over brass.  I'm sure some were sold in the states; but they were primarily for the European trade.

FM

[Deadeye Don]

Alot of them are now stored at the Tower of London Armory. 

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[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Under the Militia Act of 1855, The Canadian provinces of Upper Canada (now Ontario), and Lower Canada, (now Quebec) were equiped with modern weapons.  After consideration, The Colt revolver, model 1851 was adopted in lieu of the traditional pistol for the cavalry.  In 1855, 400 revolvers were ordered from the Ordnance department, and a further 400 were ordered in 1856.  All were obtained in England through the London firm of Hebbert and Company.  All were proofed at the Tower before shipment to Canada.

In Canada the revolvers were marked on the left side of the grip;  On top were the initial U-C, for Upper Canada, or L-C for Lower Canada.  Below that was the initial of the Troop, A to E for Lower Canada, and A to L for Upper Canada.  On the bottom was the individual pistol number within the Troop, from 1 to 50.

These revolvers were still in service throughout the 1870 Riel Rebellion in Manitoba, and only replaced, on an emergency basis, in 1885 by the Colt model of 1878, for the Northwest Rebellion. Thus Canada began to procur its own arms.  We did adopt the Peabody and Spencer in the timeframe of 1867 1868.

CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUNS 1855-1985 by Clive M. Law, 1994 Museum restoration Service, ISBN  0-88855-008-1

[St. George]

First - the London Colts aren't 'iron-framed' - they use iron backstraps and brass or iron triggerguards - exactly like Colt production in the United States.

At that time - 'all' of those percussion revolvers had iron frames, since steel wouldn't be used for some time.

According to Swayze's '51 Colt Navies' - there are three variants:

1. - Early London - those that were produced first in London and assembled mostly from parts sent over from the Hartford factory.

2. - London-London - the standard London Model produced in the London Armory having the usual characteristics of iron backstraps, large, rounded iron triggerguards, high rounded screw heads, 'V' non-bevelled type loading notch in the barrel lug.

3. - Hartford-London - those that were produced in the Hartford factory specifically for the London market and having the London barrel address (with dashes instead of arrows at each end of the address) -  '- Address COL COLT London -'

These were built for the trade in London - and not for the American market.

Swayze's book goes into considerable detail on this and other Models - it's well worth reading.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Fingers McGee]

First - the London Colts aren't 'iron-framed' - they use iron backstraps and brass or iron triggerguards - exactly like Colt production in the United States.

At that time - 'all' of those percussion revolvers had iron frames, since steel wouldn't be used for some time.

According to Swayze's '51 Colt Navies' - there are three variants:

1. - Early London - those that were produced first in London and assembled mostly from parts sent over from the Hartford factory.

2. - London-London - the standard London Model produced in the London Armory having the usual characteristics of iron backstraps, large, rounded iron triggerguards, high rounded screw heads, 'V' non-bevelled type loading notch in the barrel lug.

3. - Hartford-London - those that were produced in the hartford factory specifically for the London market and having the London barrel address (with dashes instead of arrows at each end of the address) -  '- Address COL COLT London -'

These were built for the trade in London - and not for the American market.

Swayze's book goes into considerable detail on this and other Models - it's well worth reading.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

+1  Swayze's book is definitely worth reading fo ranyone that likes the '51 Navies.

[HorsePen Henry]

I sincerely appreciate the lessons on these guns. Shuckin's! I quess I best keep lookin' further. It doesn't appear that the Londons are a good choice for a I.T. feller ta be carryin'. I best go with the regular old brass TG style ones, huh? Or maybe some sartridge open top of some kind. I'm still tryin' ta figger out exactly what set of revolvers I wanna buy into. I sure like the looks of the Colts though.  Ah heck! I like 'em all!

Thanks guys,
X Horse Pen

[Fingers McGee]

In delving into the Swayze book more today; I found that there were a batch of 51 Navies sold to the US Navy that all had iron BS/TG, as well as a range of SNs that were for the Civilian market. Soooooo........ It wouldnt be out of character for someone to have a '51 with blued steel BS/TG.

A little more info:  The Early Londons parts were shipped from Hartford to London for finishing and assembly and primarily had brass BS/TG, the London Londons were made in London and were Iron; and the Hartford Londons were made in Hartford, with iron BS/TG, London markings and shipped to England.

Fm

[HorsePen Henry]

Thanks FM. There may be some hope yet. 

X Horse Pen