IK377 Colt Artillery post locked

perry shooter

Hello because you are new to this forum be aware your post will be locked after 10 replies or shortly there-after. You can Edit your post before they are locked by clicking on the Pencil ICON then you will NOT run up the post count. As far as pictures use macro lens setting and Natural lighting. ALSO some times it is a good Idea to have an email listed with Gunbroker in your profile. This email address will not be shown to other members but will go through Gunbroker management . and will let other members send you a message direct by double clicking on your user name. This can save you from having to luck out and find this post or forever wonder why you original question was LOCKED. "PRAISE THE HARD-BALL GUN"

EDIT After looking at new pictures I would say the pistol was heavily Buffed and then refinished . The W mark is for E.C. Wheeler inspector for U.S. Ordnance 1878 the refinish will hurt the value but I would still think a Colt letter would be a good investment .The serial number you shoul get information on is the frame the one just below the letter W If I read it correctly that is
49400

Spider7115

I was happy to see that Dave Lanara (jonlower) joined the forums and offered his opinions in the original thread

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=514665

Dave is a master restorer of 1st and 2nd Generation Colts and a recognized expert on the authenticity and originality of them. You can see his extensive website, including services and projects at this link:

http://www.davelanaracolts.com/

I hope he continues to monitor this forum for the benefit of all.

Welcome, Dave!

jonlower

Spider, thanks for the shout out, I do my best. I will be looking at these fourms on a daily basis. If I can be of help, I will jump in. Just replied to a restoration question about an 1886 Winchester. It is time that restoration as an art form is recignized. Those of us who take on the multipule hats of dozens of old factory workers and achieve a credible end must be acknowledged as artists. It may be one of the ways in which our hobby will sustain in the coming years of political interventions. Art has always been a consideration in political circles.

IK377

EDIT Spider, that explains why I couldn't read the barrel. Since reading this, I took a look at (2) other Colt SSA's, I have. They both have legible lettering, but one looks like it is gold plated, except for the grip, and the other one is somewhat similar to the one posted, and I can read everything.

Down the road, I will definitely look into getting a letter from Colt. I'll use the 49406 serial #. Didn't know it had been so downgraded.

Oh well...


Thank you Spider for following up with this. (Didn't know the thread would lock).
Thank you also Dave L. (jonlower) for your input. Didn't mean any disrespect. I had no idea who you were.

I've attached some much smaller and hopefully clearer pics. Every time I take a closer look at this gun, I find a new number.

Spider7115

The "H A M" you're seeing are actually the remains of "Colt's Pat. F. A. MFG" as you can see in the picture below: