Colt 1860 London?

[Tommygunn]

I was paging through my most recent Cabela's catalog and happened on the cap & ball revolvers. Looking at them I managed to control my drooling long enough to notice what is being marketed as a Colt 1860 London.
I know Colt made a 1851 Navy .36 caliber in their London based company -- actually I have the Uberti repro of one. But, I did not know they had a 1860 based model.
Cabela's model looks like the regular version we all know and love, but with the blued steel backstrap and trigger guard. No brass. It's an attractive looking gun.
My question to the BP gurus here, who really know the deep hidden secrets of what REALLY went on back then is, was there REALLY a London 1860 version that had the blued steel BS &TG like this, or is this some fictional thing that Pietta thought up because it looks good.
Boy ... does it ever look good ..... *drool!* .......

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt closed his London Armory in 1857, and moved the remaining parts to Hartford CT. where they were incorporated into U.S. production.

Obviously there is no such thing as a original "1860 London Army.

The U.S. Army requested the iron backstrap used on most 1860 Army revolvers to better support a detachable shoulder stock, of which only a relative few were issued.

 

[Fingers McGee]

Pietta does make some good looking C&Bs. IINM, there were 1860 Armies that had the London barrel marking and English/London proofs as well as blued iron BS & TG. These revolvers were made in Hartford and exported to England to be sold by their London dealer as were all Colt's firearms made after the closing of the London factory in 1857.

 

[Tommygunn]

So there were, but they were made in America and then sent to London, rather than made over there, if I'm understanding this right??

 

[Old Fuff]

--- there were 1860 Armies that had the London barrel marking and English/London proofs as well as blued iron BS & TG. These revolvers were made in Hartford and exported to England to be sold by their London dealer as were all Colt's firearms made after the closing of the London factory in 1857.

Yup, the Old Fuff has egg on his face.

It seems that in 1867-68 a few hundred 1860 Army revolvers with the London address barrel stamp, and fitted with blued iron backstraps and trigger guards were sent to the Colt Agency (distributor) in England. All were made at the Hartford, CT. factory. Apparently they were not offered for sale elsewhere. Today they are very rare (and valuable).

 

[Tommygunn]

Don't kick yourself Old Fuff; I myself remembered NOTHING about these Colt 1860s and I can't even recall if I knew and had forgotten, or just never knew.
Cabela's London 1860 is one nice looking gun. I am going to have to put it on my WISH list for sure.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have a feeling that by 1867 - 68 they weren't very popular in Europe or Britain. Self-contained metallic cartridges arrived there before being introduced in the United States by Smith & Wesson.

I have an interesting 1880's book, written by (or for) Alan Pinkerton, who founded the Pinkerton Detective Agency. In it he describes a manhunt conducted by two of his agents in 1867 Texas, and remarks that his men were armed with English Tranter "self-cocker" revolvers that were superior to anything then being made in the United States.

Most of the Colt revolvers that were either made in, or shipped to, Great Britain were not sold there, but to those in the far-flung Empire in Africa or Asia.

As an afterthought, some shooters like iron rather then brass because the former isn't stained by black powder fouling.

 

[ozarkguy]

Tommygun, thanks for asking this question and thanks to Fingers and Old Fuff for sharing the info. I also saw the 60 Army London listed on Cabella's website and had been wondering if such a thing was ever produced. I bought Cabella's 51 Navy London during their sale this year and really like it. Already have a "regular" 1860 but may have to consider adding one of these as well.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

If you look again at Cabela's listings they now list a Pietta 1860 in "Military", "Cilivian", and "London".

It's going to be a great year and I bet we even get the Remington Belt Model this year!

Regards, HH

 

[ozarkguy]

Hope Cabella's has another big sale this year. Seems like they always put several BP guns at a real good price in late summer up until Christmas. Picked up the Navy London and a 1858 Remington shorty this year. Now I've got to save my pennies and be prepared if and when it happens again!

 

[Tommygunn]

Well, just got my Cabela's 1860 London Army delivered about 45 minutes ago. Very nice looking gun. Very nice color case hardening and it looks like everything is as it should be mechanically, and fitting-wise.
Curiously, this version of the 1860 has the 1851 Navy sized grip. I realize that some early 1860s had the Navy sized grip, but I didn't know the Colt 1860 London had them.
My early BP guns were Armi San Marco and their 1860s had Navy grips. This Pietta reminds me a little of those.
The blued steel TG sure gives the 1860 a distinctive look.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

To be "correct" for a pre military Colt 1860 with the Navy sized grip it should also have a 7.5" barrel.............do tell........is it an 8" or 7.5"?

 

[Tommygunn]

It's 8 inches. What I don't know is whether or not the Navy size grip is correct for the 1860 London.

It seems that in 1867-68 a few hundred 1860 Army revolvers with the London address barrel stamp, and fitted with blued iron backstraps and trigger guards were sent to the Colt Agency (distributor) in England. All were made at the Hartford, CT. factory. Apparently they were not offered for sale elsewhere. Today they are very rare (and valuable).

I would think by then the 8" barrel would be OK, since the London 1860s would not be "pre military."
I don't know about the grip though.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

Well

This is pretty typical for the Italians.........
They like to name things and sometimes get close.

I still like the idea and many of us would rather have a Navy size grip (and the Pietta steel "London" grip is correctly shaped as opposed to the brass one).

Sure wish they would do a 7.5" barrel though........

Is this pistol sans all the military cutouts and "fourth" screws?

Regards, HH

 

[Tommygunn]

It has the forth screw & the cutouts on the recoil shield for the shoulder stock. The grip also has the cut for the shoulder stock, although the army version won't work due to the grip size. I don't know if a Navy one is available .... don't really care as I don't really want one.
I actually have one for the regular Army but I have never actually used it........

 

[Hoof Hearted]

I guess I now remember you telling me that.........

What I want is a "Civilian" w/o the cutouts/screws, the Navy grip and a 7.5" barrel. Basically an 1861 in 44 caliber.

Might just have to make one.........

 

[ZVP]

I have one of the Uberti "London" .36's and it's a BEAUTIFULL piece of work! The action works as if it's been tuned and the revolver is very accurate! It makes me look good in spite of makes my wobbles and twitches. Groups are tight and the grip is of perfect configuration!
I'd advise you to get the Uberti over the Piettia model.
ZVP

 

[Tommygunn]

Well, actually, I have the Uberti London 1851. This is the 1860 Army London model.
The Uberti is a nice gun, but the Pietta is also a pretty nice firearm. The big question was how historically accurate it is.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

I have one of the Uberti "London" .36's and it's a BEAUTIFULL piece of work! The action works as if it's been tuned and the revolver is very accurate! It makes me look good in spite of makes my wobbles and twitches. Groups are tight and the grip is of perfect configuration!
I'd advise you to get the Uberti over the Piettia model.
ZVP

The old Ford VS: Chevy thing again..............