Colts double action revolver, model of 1878 hardcover. The magazine tube contained 6, 8 or 10 of their cartridge. Major sections of the book cover history and development, physical. Plus, supplemental data on the old army, bearcat, and out of production models. Most doubleaction revolvers can be fired in either of the two ways. If you just got your hands on a revolver, or are in search of one, you should know a few differences of the most common categories singleaction and doubleaction revolvers. A revolver is a repeating handgun that has a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers. A starr revolver starr da is a doubleaction revolver which was used in the western theater of the american civil war until the u. The webley was a double action pistol with a two inch barrel, the original version of which held 5 rounds of. Overall, this revolver rates in about fairgood condition as antique.
The second way is double action, or from a hammerdown position. In 1908, colt improved and strengthened the lockwork, and changed the cylinder rotation to a clockwise movement. A starr revolver starr da is a double action revolver which was used in the western theater of the american civil war until the u. The first successful doubleaction revolver was the colt m1877, which was known by a variety of nonofficial monikers. How common were double action revolvers in the post civil. A detailed book for any double rifle owner but directed toward the novice. The 1877 colt double action revolver unblinking eye. You have a 1st model flat recoil shield, should have a round head hammer screw american double action 4th variation company name and address stamped into left barrel flat. Army description of the original army model 1892 revolver and its. Most double action revolvers can be fired in either of the two ways. It the book to have if you have interest in 1895 colt revolvers. Without a cartridge stamp on the left side under the address block. The gun digest book of combat handgunnery iola, wisconsin ed. This was an improvement over the colt 1889 design since it used a combined centerpin.
The colt m1877 was a doubleaction revolver manufactured by colts patent fire arms from january 1877 to 1909 for a total of 166,849 revolvers. The colt 1878 lighteningthunder models in 38 and 41 colt calibers were successful and that is what william bonney carried in lincoln county. Study of the colt single action army revolver by graham. It does look like it was carried often, fired little. This is a list of single and double action revolvers, listed alphabetically by manufacturer. Double action revolvers were not common in the peak cowboy period of the old american west which i think is your main question.
Discusses the history and features of each revolver design, theory of operation, plus indepth cartridge and chamber data. Dixon larson a copy is included at the end of the pictures, you are bidding on their model 1889 6shot d. Known as a second model pocket revolver, this specimen was one of the handguns produced by the companys philadelphia facility between 1864 and 1869 and it closely resembles the colt model 1849 pocket. I agree that double action pistols are faster to fire. The single action cowboy six shooter is a famous part of american culture and history.
This is a very very rare unaltered example of the colt model 1892 double action revolver from the us armys 1st contract. In very good overall condition with even wear, this cooper sidearm is a doubleaction. The cylinder does reliably stop when fired in double action. A double action revolver uses a long trigger pull to both turn the revolvers cylinder to align a fresh round with the barrel and to cock and release the hammer to fire the round. Today, there are quite literally just a handful of surviving model 1892 us army revolvers still in their original configuration as very few of these escaped the upgrades to models 1894 and 1901 specs. Discontinued in the late 1990s, pythons soon became scarce on the marketplace,and today heavy sums must be laid out to purchase one. How common were double action revolvers in the post civil war. Double action revolvers quickly replaced the single action revolver for police and military after the success of the m1877. Today, there are quite literally just a handful of surviving model 1892 us army revolvers still in their original configuration as very few of these escaped the.
This revolver was designed as the double action version of colts. The m1877 was offered from the factory in two basic finishes. The model 1877 was offered in three calibers, which lent them three unofficial names. Cylinder is plain with no engraving but has the five rectangular safety notches. The m1892s counterclockwise cylinder rotation tended to force the cylinder out of alignment with the frame over time, and this was exacerbated by relatively weak lockwork used to time, or match individual chambers to the barrel. Colts patents arms manufacturing company new model 1899 6.
Most doubleaction revolvers may be fired in two ways. Presented here is a civil war secondary martial sidearm produced by the j. Doubleaction revolvers quickly replaced the singleaction revolver for police and military after the success of the m1877. It is the successor corporation to colts earlier firearmsmaking efforts, which started in 1836. By that point, the singleaction revolving pistol had been joined by the doubleaction revolver and both single and doubleaction semiautos. Interesting from a historical perspective, with some stillusable insights. Here is the complete story of colts first large frame double action revolver, the model of 1878. As far as i can tell, this is the second model smokeless powder only for sale by sdguns on gunsamerica 992140607. Study of the colt single action army revolver by graham ron. Colts big model 1898 a doubleaction hit historynet. Revolver models 1889, 1892, 1894, 1895 and 1896 by david l. A study of colt new army and navy pattern double action. Just like many other products, revolvers come in many shapes and sizes, configurations, and of course prices. A very simple weapon to be sure, but in the infancy of its development, the double action revolver was not as reliable as its single action ancestors.
It was part of keiths article that month and is the same one he referenced in sixguns. The colt m1877 was a double action revolver manufactured by colts patent fire arms from january 1877 to 1909 for a total of 166,849 revolvers. The official record of the colt single action army. Aug 06, 2016 traditional double action revolvers all have more or less the same manual of arms. A french antique fine engraved 12 shot single and double action pinfire revolver with folding trigger. Here is the complete story of colts first large frame double action revolver, the model of. Buy colt double action revolvers for sale at auction. The secrets of double action shooting is the pistol book of all modern pistol books. The weapon was a nofrills design with a solid frame, sixshot capacity cylinder and doubleaction trigger system. Description harrington and richardson the american double action revolver. Explains fundamentals of handling double action revolvers. The first doubleaction revolver that the colt factory produced after sam colts death was the 1877 lightning. Most double action revolvers may be fired in two ways. When the first double action revolver came out the.
Colt python double action revolver rock island auction. Colt model 1892 us army da revolver unaltered 1 of 7 known. Difference between a singleaction and doubleaction revolver. Plastics, indeterminate ferrous metal inscription and marks. The official record of the colt single action army revolver, 18731895. I dont mean when the first ever one was made but when did they actually start getting utilized by lots of people. Many americans choose the revolver as a selfdefense weapon due to its ease of use, maintenance and general reliability.
The civil war ushered in the cartridge era but not the da revolvers. Gun digest book of the revolver covers all aspects of living with the double action revolver. I picked up my first double action wheel gun yesterday. The colt was not the first revolver, but it was the first cartridge revolver to be officially adopted by the u. The double action revolver at its cunning best is actually deadlier, far deadlier. One exception i found is the revolver made by starr. It was made to be suitable for black powder loads only.
Keep an eye on your ifruit for a special ingame email containing the first clue, then follow the trail to unlock the double action revolver in gta online. To fire a revolver, a novice gun owner merely needs to aim and pull the trigger for double action revolvers or cock the hammer and then pull the trigger for single action revolvers. The colt m1878 is a doubleaction revolver that was manufactured by colts manufacturing. Keep an eye on your ifruit for a special ingame email containing the first clue, then follow the trail to unlock the doubleaction revolver in gta online. How common are or were double action black powder firearms. The m1877 was the first successful usmade doubleaction cartridge revolver. The american double action revolver the firearms forum. It tends to be overlooked as it came between the vaunted no.
Its a big part of the movies and fiction which surround the history of the wild west, the quick draw, fanning the hammer of the gun etc. Contains a complete parts section and stepbystep procedures for troubleshooting, repair, and inspection of each model. Most likely, the colt double action revolver of 1877 was a response to the introduction of the webley bulldog pistol in 1872, which was already being imported into the u. Well, in fact two calibers were offered, designated as number on and number two and realy measured.
Double action selfcocking handguns go back to the 1830s at least, so by the turn of the 20th double action revolvers werent new or exceptional. But the guns accuracy was such that in his pioneer 1954 book colt firearms, jim serven, the. This revolver was designed as the double action version of colts famed single action army revolver and shared much of its history. The double action revolver is easy to operate, fast to fire, and easy to draw. Oct 11, 2011 you have a 1st model flat recoil shield, should have a round head hammer screw american double action 4th variation company name and address stamped into left barrel flat. I know they were used not sure how much in the civil war. Can somebody tell me when the double action revolver really took off.
Dec 02, 2014 most cap and ball aka percussion or black powder pistols made through the 1830s and 1870s were single action. Colt was the first manufacturer to produce a revolver with a swingout cylinder. I dont believe there was a double action revolver with nipples that achieved any level of success. Colts manufacturing company, llc cmc, formerly colts patent firearms manufacturing company is an american firearms manufacturer, founded in 1855 by samuel colt. National archives and records administration arc identifier 4523715 local identifier 330dvic27541 fundamentals of double action revolver shooting department of defense. Based upon a 1966 article in the american rifleman entitled colts doubleaction revolvers by e. The cylinder does not reliably stop when cocked in single action. This was an improvement over the colt 1889 design since it used a combined centerpin and ejector rod to lock the cylinder in position. The first way is exactly the same as a single action revolver.
The weapon was a nofrills design with a solid frame, sixshot capacity cylinder and double action trigger system. Some double action revolvers, called double action only or d. This book is the only source that i found that can sought through all this. When the first double action revolver came out the high.
Some doubleaction revolvers, called doubleaction only or d. A double action revolver uses a long trigger pull to both turn the revolvers cylinder to align a fresh round with. The revolver was available in barrel lengths from 2. Its a 107, seems to be in pretty decent shape, there was some rust on the butt that i have cleaned off. Most cap and ball aka percussion or black powder pistols made through the 1830s and 1870s were single action. Nickelplated finish with blued triggerguard and casehardened hammer. Colts first attempt at a double action revolver to compete with the european.
Buy the gun digest book of the revolver book online at low prices. Da revolvers and followed the same design changes and improvements over the years. The development of their double action pocket revolver introduced in 1880 helped them stay ahead of the competition. Harrington and richardson the american double action. The first colt double action revolver was introduced in 1877. Description of the colts double action revolver, caliber.
The doubleaction revolver is a design almost as old as the single action. Known foroutstanding ergonomics and accuracy and an exceptionally smooth, tight action,the python remains to this day an icon among fine doubleaction revolvers. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. Traditional double action revolvers all have more or less the same manual of arms. The double action revolver is a design almost as old as the single action. Sixtyseven years of the singleaction revolver closer to 110 if you count blackpowder revolvers thus came to an ignominious end in a pile of rusted junk. Gun digest book of the revolver covers all aspects of living with the doubleaction revolver. That means the real deciding factors when buying a revolver are what role you want the revolver to fill and quality control. Jul 19, 2008 double action revolvers were not common in the peak cowboy period of the old american west which i think is your main question. Most double action revolve rs may be fired in two ways. The revolver retains 85% of the original blue finish with scattered scratches, minor muzzle and barrel wear, and finish loss on the cylinder, trigger guard, back strap, and a faint cylinder drag line. Rumors of a lost relic from the frontier have begun to surface, and treasure awaits those bold enough to seek it.
Buy colt double action revolvers for sale at auction invaluable. If you just got your hands on a revolver, or are in. Name manufacturer image cartridge country year apache revolver. There s loads of history associated with these revolvers on multiple revisions throughout their service life. The first successful double action revolver was the colt m1877, which was known by a variety of nonofficial monikers. The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and throughout the world until production ceased in 1905.
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