I was hedging between posting this in the Revolver forum or this one, but landed here. Hopefully it was the right call.
A neighbor was speaking with me and mentioned they had an old revolver in their basement sitting and thought it was from the late 1800's. I told them if that was true, they should hand it over to me, and I'd enjoy doing the research on it for them, cleaning it up, and giving them the scoop on it. While I own a lot of firearms, I've just never had an affection for revolvers, so I was anxious to learn a little something new.
Well, based on my searching and reading around, I at least know what I have. I've got a Colt 1877 41 (Thunderer) with the 3.5" barrel (which I've seen called a shopkeeper configuration) from the early production years (serial 17xxx). I've read all about the history of this finicky little DA. This one is still operating well in full DA and the timing seems to be solid. It's full matching numbers down the frame. It has the early ejector rod configuration and the non-swinging cylinder. It has a nickel plate finish in what I would call 95% state based on the other similar pistols I've seen. It has black hard rubber grips with the horse emblem that show some light wear.
If I've gotten any of the terminology wrong, forgive me... like I said, revolvers are new territory for me, let alone antique ones. Always been a semi-auto DA/SA pistol and high power semi-auto rifle guy (my M1A being my favorite piece).
If they ask, I'm going to GUESS this is worth somewhere in the $1200-1500 range. I'm going to tell them about the fact that they can get that official "Colt Archives" document from Colt Archive Services done on it if they really want to, but I guess that's only if $100 seems worth it to them.
So, that's what I "think" I know. Here's what I don't know, finally I ask my questions...
1) I see many reference documents on the disassembly and assembly of the entire mechanics of the pistol. Given it's age, the complexity (fragility) of the mechanisms, and the fact that it's fully working, I think I should leave this thing as intact as possible when cleaning it. Have I got that right?
2) Assuming I have that right, my plan is to remove the grips, the cylinder, and the ejector tool and stop. I will then clean the surfaces I can get to with my normal gun cleaning supplies. Does that sound like the right plan?
3) What is the best product/practice to use on the finished surfaces to ensure I don't make the nickel plating failures any worse?
4) Should I keep the oils away from the rubber grips? What is the best way to clean (read more as protect) those?
Once I have it clean, my plan is to get a nice locking display case for it so they can keep it somewhere that a fine piece like this deserves to be... where it can be seen!
Thanks in advance for any advice on the cleanup! It's been a blast working with this revolver up until now, and I just want to make sure I'm doing the right things to care for it.
-Jim
A neighbor was speaking with me and mentioned they had an old revolver in their basement sitting and thought it was from the late 1800's. I told them if that was true, they should hand it over to me, and I'd enjoy doing the research on it for them, cleaning it up, and giving them the scoop on it. While I own a lot of firearms, I've just never had an affection for revolvers, so I was anxious to learn a little something new.
Well, based on my searching and reading around, I at least know what I have. I've got a Colt 1877 41 (Thunderer) with the 3.5" barrel (which I've seen called a shopkeeper configuration) from the early production years (serial 17xxx). I've read all about the history of this finicky little DA. This one is still operating well in full DA and the timing seems to be solid. It's full matching numbers down the frame. It has the early ejector rod configuration and the non-swinging cylinder. It has a nickel plate finish in what I would call 95% state based on the other similar pistols I've seen. It has black hard rubber grips with the horse emblem that show some light wear.
If I've gotten any of the terminology wrong, forgive me... like I said, revolvers are new territory for me, let alone antique ones. Always been a semi-auto DA/SA pistol and high power semi-auto rifle guy (my M1A being my favorite piece).
If they ask, I'm going to GUESS this is worth somewhere in the $1200-1500 range. I'm going to tell them about the fact that they can get that official "Colt Archives" document from Colt Archive Services done on it if they really want to, but I guess that's only if $100 seems worth it to them.
So, that's what I "think" I know. Here's what I don't know, finally I ask my questions...
1) I see many reference documents on the disassembly and assembly of the entire mechanics of the pistol. Given it's age, the complexity (fragility) of the mechanisms, and the fact that it's fully working, I think I should leave this thing as intact as possible when cleaning it. Have I got that right?
2) Assuming I have that right, my plan is to remove the grips, the cylinder, and the ejector tool and stop. I will then clean the surfaces I can get to with my normal gun cleaning supplies. Does that sound like the right plan?
3) What is the best product/practice to use on the finished surfaces to ensure I don't make the nickel plating failures any worse?
4) Should I keep the oils away from the rubber grips? What is the best way to clean (read more as protect) those?
Once I have it clean, my plan is to get a nice locking display case for it so they can keep it somewhere that a fine piece like this deserves to be... where it can be seen!
Thanks in advance for any advice on the cleanup! It's been a blast working with this revolver up until now, and I just want to make sure I'm doing the right things to care for it.
-Jim
