COLT SAA SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS

That was in the late '70's - early '80's. Only after numerous complaints - and a few new machines - did the Custom Shop take over the line. When Colt was purchased by the UAW - QC dropped off exponentially. Georg you are quit right, but I was talking of another fact. George on January 04, 2011, 10:15:34 AM From 1873 until 1905, the firing pin had a cone-shaped point. Ref: 'Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia' by Cochran and 'A Study of the Colt single Action Army Revolver' - by Graham, Kopec and Moore.īoth books are highly recommended for review and addition to your own libraries.

If it didn't - then CAS may never have been born - nor cartridges like. Today's modern-made factory ammunition 'will' fit earlier revolvers just fine. John Taffin (aka - 'Sixgunner') referenced this collaboration a number of years ago - as did many other gun writers - all of whose articles can be readily found on the web.īolts and hands 'can' be fitted to earlier production - barrels no, because of the thread measurement. It did not do well - folks expected more from Colt. The 'Colt Cowboy' was a collaboration with the Czech arms industry to compete with the various clones. Today's new-production Colts now feature a removeable barrel bushing, and are great revolvers and are a continuation of the Third generational line.Ĭolt differentiates by serial number, by the way.

The writings of popular gun writer Skeeter Skelton have been credited with creation of a public demand for Colt to continue production, and he wrote numerous articles on the 'new' Colts.

COLT SAA SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS

Serial numbers began with the prefix 'SA'. The so-called 'Third Generation' came about in 1978, when the cylinder bushing was made as a press-fit and the hand and bolt were cast and machined, instead of forged, and barrel threads were changed, as well. The 'generational' difference arose after production resumed - post WWII - thanks due in large part to the popularity of Westerns on both the large and small screens. That is a personal opinion and in some circles, a bit of a heated discussion!įrom 1873 until 1905, the firing pin had a cone-shaped point.Īll were held in place by a rivet - and in the case of the rimfire calibers - two. I think due to marketing ideas, a newer generation usually indicated a better product, and hence, those selling Colts from the late 1990's, are attempting to make them seem the best to date. Gotta wait until another major event/change occurs and the blessing of the historians and experts to call em the 4th generation Colt! Then Colt began, somewhere maybe in late 1990's, making the cylinder with the removeable bushing again! Yeah! I think most folks, and I use that term very loosely, call these the late 3rd Generations. I am not sure, but this may have been somewhat of a limited production. The cylinder was made without a removeable bushing! This became the 3rd Generation. Then another 'Major changes(s)' began in 1976, one of which encurred the wrath of myself and others.

The new production was deemed 2nd Generation Colts, which ran from about 1956 to 1975. Those Colts before that date, became Pre-War or 1st Generation Colts. Somewhere in 1956, Colt started up production of the Single Action Service revolver, again. yet ! Production ended in 1941-42, and then the War occurred. Although there were many small and important changes, throughout the Colt 1st Generation era from 1873 to about 1941, they ( those called Company officials of COLT, historians and experts ) did not even call it the 1st Generation Colt. It has been traditional for Colts to have a significant event(s) occur, before calling a new generation.

Colt saa serial numbers