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CAS TOPICS => Gunsmithing => Topic started by: Kent Shootwell on November 09, 2020, 11:53:16 AM

Title: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Kent Shootwell on November 09, 2020, 11:53:16 AM
This Colt was tagged as needed work, that’s nearly a fool proof way to draw me in.
The issues,
Wedge missing and a brass rivet beat in its place.
Wedge screw missing.
Loading lever broken, parts missing.
Main spring missing.
Arbor bent, barrel points left.
Back strap screws replaced with zinc plated pan head screws.
Hammer screw replaced with incorrect short screw.
Hand spring weak.
Dirty!

Of coarse I bought it and have been making and fixing pieces parts for it after a thorough cleaning. I have found out that it was made in 1860 and all numbers match.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50441573236_3e80338fdd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jRmfnb)IMG_0631 (https://flic.kr/p/2jRmfnb) by Oliver Sudden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155475279@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Sir Charles deMouton-Black on November 09, 2020, 11:59:23 AM
Be Happy In Your Work! it's not like you are destroying "collectoers value".
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: DeaconKC on November 09, 2020, 04:05:03 PM
Kent, I am a sucker for "mud puppies" like that too! Mine are usually S&W K frames though. Good luck!
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Major 2 on November 09, 2020, 05:49:10 PM
Ditto to what the good Deacan said...

I love project guns ...
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Baltimore Ed on November 10, 2020, 09:18:42 AM
Gotta love a 160 year old challenge. If it could only talk. A very neat project Kent, good luck. My old choice of a project gun was the Colt Woodsman but in my retirement it’s been milsurp rifles. Keep us posted.
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Coffinmaker on November 10, 2020, 09:52:09 AM

A very worthy project indeed   ;D
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Kent Shootwell on November 11, 2020, 04:47:10 PM
So far I have done though cleaning, straightened the arbor, made new screws, fixed the hand and a from scratch wedge. The loading lever is yet to be repaired.
Before:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50591841782_ff9f537a38.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k5CpYb)IMG_0633 (https://flic.kr/p/2k5CpYb) by Oliver Sudden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155475279@N02/), on Flickr
After:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50591715036_ab590f51d2.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k5BLhU)IMG_0663 (https://flic.kr/p/2k5BLhU) by Oliver Sudden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155475279@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Coffinmaker on November 11, 2020, 07:24:27 PM
OUTSTANDING advances.  I was going to suggest you may be able to adapt many Uberti parts to work quite well.  Understanding, of course, you actually prefer solving problems the long and challenging way around.  Looking really good Sir Kent!!

Really fun thread to follow.  Be really cool when you make it "bark" again.

PS:  I have worked on several similar Problem guns.  Unfortunately, too far gone to return to serviceability, but returned to just "function."  Nice display pieces.
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Pettifogger on November 16, 2020, 06:02:01 PM
I have some 49 parts for a gun I was restoring 40+ years ago.  I got them from Dixie Gun Works and think they are around some where.  I'll look and see if I can find them.
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Kent Shootwell on November 16, 2020, 08:22:14 PM
Very interesting!  :) Maybe a lever latch?
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Major 2 on November 17, 2020, 06:38:08 AM
One of the those unfortunate , "   too far gone to return to serviceability, but returned to just "function pieces."
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Kent Shootwell on April 19, 2021, 10:51:46 AM
Finally got the lever fixed, I welded on some steel and filed it to shape. Then turned a piece of 8620 to form the catch and milled the tip flat. Hand filed the groove to depth and installed a spring and keeper pin. A bit of browning and wire brush to blend it to the old fellow so it's a functional pistol now. It could be shot but I'll just shoot the replicas instead.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51125141237_15eab26182_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kTKHjn)IMG_0732 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTKHjn) by Oliver Sudden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155475279@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Fingers McGee on April 21, 2021, 01:53:02 PM
Great project.  to look at it, one would never know it went down that path.
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Kent Shootwell on April 21, 2021, 05:51:03 PM
Thanks, Fingers. That’s what I was shooting for.
Title: Re: 1849 Colt project
Post by: Oldgold on April 21, 2021, 07:53:20 PM
Fantastic work.