Colt New Army .41

[rswartsell]

I have come into possession of a Colt New Army .41. Sorry, no pictures until my son returns my camera. The revolver is a bit rough but far better than this one;

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=327463906

Just about anything would be.

The unfortunate thing is that one area of corrosion is where the serial number was stamped at the front bottom heel of the grip frame. I have not yet attempted a deep clean. I'm considering a soak in Ed's Red which I have used before to good effect. As things currently stand the serial number is there, as it can be vaguely seen amidst surface corrosion and a century of who knows what. It cannot however be deciphered. On another board dfarriswheel was kind enough to comment on the legal difficulties this could represent.

I am posting here hoping for enlightened comment either on the revolver or a strategy to save it from the local gun buyback. If worse comes to worst, I will retain the grips as they are nearly perfect, as I assume they will have resale value. They are the original black hard rubber with the flower blossoms opposing the rampant pony.

 

[dfariswheel]

I'll back up on this one:

I suspect that once you get the rust and crud off, you'll probably be able to make out the serial number.
There are ways to raise numbers with acid, but I doubt that'll be necessary.

Also, the law says it's illegal to have a gun that originally had a serial number on which the serial number has been altered, defaced, or removed.

The law doesn't mention numbers that are made faint by time and corrosion, only those that have been deliberately defaced, so I think you're good to go.

 

[rswartsell]

Thats a bit of a relief. If after the Eds Red function seems good enough, what would be the opinion of putting a few cowboy loads down the pipe? The only function issue I have so far identified is the cylinder latch is gummed up and will not always allow the ratchet to clear and it has been dragging on the latch. The bolt does have a spot of bright abraided metal that sticks out like the latch abrasions amid the field of patina and schmutz.

It seems to be well in time but you can feel the drag on all functions of a serious need for deep cleaning.

 

[VA27]

Were it mine, I'd do a deep cleaning with nothing more than Ed's and a nylon bristle brush (your mother-in-law's toothbrush will work fine) and lube it up. Then I'd get a bullet mold and some brass and shoot that puppy! I wouldn't load anything hot for it, but I'd shoot it for sure.

 

[rswartsell]

Progress is being held up by the only "grip flaw" I find.

A pretty corroded grip screw. During the time of these posts I have been adding a touch at a time of Kroil. I will also need a beter screwdriver. I do not own a Colt set of hollow grounds and do not know that they would be the ticket on this archaic artifact. I will defer to whatever more experienced advice I can get.

 

[StrawHat]

For which 41 Colt cartridge is that revolver chambered? There were two 41 Long Colt cartridges, one that was cut for a 41 caliber bore and used a heeled, externally lubed bullet and the other that used an internally lubed bullet of .386 The smaller bullet could be fired int he larger bore but accuracy was limited. The larger bullet is similar to what is loaded int he 22 rimfire cartridges.

The 41 Short Colt was also made in the two diameters.

Molds and dies are avaiable for either cartridge, just make sure you know what you need.

A good article about reloading the 41 Colt.

http://harryo.sixshootercommunity.org/

 

[rswartsell]

Well I was completely ignorant of that issue. Thanks for the education and the link. I'll need a serial # to chase date of manufacture which will be a first clue. How would you suggest I determine this definitively?

 

[StrawHat]

Slug the bore with a 42 caliber soft lead slug. Something like a round ball will work but a fishing sinker can also work, if large enough.

 

[rswartsell]

Your handy link states that the change occured in the mid 1890's and since the latest patent date on the rollmark is '95, it' seems very probable that it is the later .386 dia.

Your answer should have been obvious to me and yes I will slug the bore before buying components.

I wonder which flavor these are?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...-long-colt-200-grain-lead-flat-nose-box-of-50

At 70 bucks a box I may never know, they are a bargain compared to these Ten-X;

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/14...w-base-flat-point-box-of-50?cm_vc=subv1194816

90 bucks a box! Cowboy Action shooters must be bored surgeons and investment bankers! I had thought to buy factory rather than "tool up" for no more than I will shoot it, these prices make that a debatable issue.

 

[rswartsell]

This took forever, but here are pictures,











What can you tell me and were it yours for sale, what would you list it for?

 

[788Ham]

That is one nice looking old revolver! No idea as for sale price. The other one you'd mentioned on your opening paragraph, it looks like it was worn by a river dredger , sad for a Colt to look that way. Congratulations !! Any idea as to the serial number?

 

[rswartsell]

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-revolvers/59541-what-have-i-got-here-2.html

See post 21.