Three Generations of Colt's 1860 Army Revolver

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Some good clarity on the generations, there!

[@LynnGibson-zz7wk]

As usual for Mike, well presented, interesting, factual and to the point. No trash talk, just old fashioned a spade is a spade.

[@tomvawter4531]

Nice video Mike! We can thank Colt for the originals. But much gratitude to Val Forgett, Navy Arms, and the Italians for injecting new life into these historic replicas. After 35 years of shooting cap and ball revolvers, I stick with Uberti and Pietta for all my revolvers and spare parts. They keep these old guns alive! Colt, Taylor's, Cimarron and others can rebrand them all they want. When I order parts from Taylors, I have to wait on available stock from Italy. I am very grateful to Pietta and Uberti for their fine craftsmanship and for sustaining living American history!

[@richsenecal]

What I want to know is what were the complaints about you referring to the shop as the “Enchanted Forest” and why would you pay any attention to such drivel? It is your shop and your channel feel free to call it whatever you wish. Good job with this explanation too. I wish that I had stocked up on the 2nd generation Colts when I had the chance.

[@Atpost334]

Another great video. I have several 2nd and and 3rd generation Colts. Included is the “C”series 1851 Navy mentioned. Can’t speak for others, but all pistols that I have of both generations are excellent in fit / finish and quality. The other great thing is both generations have the “Colt’s Patent” stamped on the frame and “address Col Sam Colt, New York USA” stamped on the barrel and nothing else stamped except the serial numbers which are on all major component parts like the originals. My 1861 Navy is a 3rd generation and honestly, push comes to shove, I prefer to shoot it over the 1851 “C” Series (also has silver plated backstrap and trigger guard which I personally am not a fan of). Anyway, I am not a collector, guns were made to be shot. Have put hundreds of rounds through all of them with no issues and no replacement of parts whatsoever. Needless to say, wouldn’t hesitate to get other Colts of either 2nd or 3rd generation in the future.

[@tonyfino]

You’re the best when it comes to telling straightforward history. Thanks!

[@SquirrelEatGood]

I have a C-series 1851 Navy I acquired as new in the 1980s. I've put hundreds of, probably in excess of a thousand, rounds through it (all at the range, no holster carry). The quality of this weapon cannot be overstated. Everything about it remains exceptional - the finish, the action, the accuracy. Thanks for a great presentation, Mike.

[@rogerpilon2588]

Just learned something I wished I didn’t know, I passed on one of these Colt cap and ball, second generation revolvers, because someone told me, it was an overpriced and overvalued Uberti. The price was 700$ Canadian, new in box. 😢

[@normanbraslow7902]

I bagged a second generation 1851 and Dragoon, but I passed on a third generation Walker, and glad for it. This video validates those decisions.

[@jakewayrewa5201]

Again, excellent video. I've been a mfg consultant for 20 years, and enjoy this kind of story. And yeah, most people have no idea the difference between castings and forgings.

[@1straightcut]

Your comments comparing quality of a First Gen to a modern Italian gun are fascinating! Thanks very much for this interesting video!

[@rifleman17hmrshooter]

".... Some of you have taken exception to that...." The 'go to hell' look on your face was hilarious lol great video as always

[@robertmotley8990]

I for one like the Enchanted Forest. I am watching this in my Fortress of Solitude.

[@charleyfolkes]

Robert Motley As god intended it ~

[@wizardofahhhs759]

The bathroom?😂

[@gonatas1]

Great info. Colt went through a long period of labor problems with the UAW from the 80's which led to the use of replacement workers and outsourcing of manufacturing. Quality/reliability issues lost them the M4 in 2013. And the earlier adoption of the Beretta over the 1911 didn't help either. I'd be curious to learn whether Colt's involvement with any of these repros made them at all special. If the Italians started working off an original 1851 Navy dropped off by some guy who smuggled it into Italy into he 50's, it doesn't sound like there was much institutional Colt knowledge involved with the cap and ball guns.

[@KC.45]

Love the 1860 Army aka The Scorpion revolver. Nate Harlow sure had a good taste in gun customization.

[@longrider42]

I've had my Colt 1860 since the late 70's, got it for Christmas as a Kit. It was made by Lyman, and original parts will fit it. And it does have the screws for the shoulder stock. I love it. Used it for many years as a back up weapon when hunting.

[@tomcleave308]

Two years later but still thank for making clear as to which 1860 to look for!

[@mhlaw229]

This is some great information on the 2nd generation guns. I almost bought a signature series gun in the late '90s. I've since been seriously considering an early 2nd generation 1851 Navy model. In new condition, they are around $1,000 now

[@lisar3006]

Mike have you ever saw a Belgium made 1860 Army made in the early 1960's and imported by a company out of Chicago. I have one that came from an estate sale in new unfired condition in the original box. It has Colt type serial numbers on all the spots Colt has and the patent dates with a standing horse. All the parts are interchangeable with colt except the nipples. They call them Belgium Colts. The screws are hardens as is the hand like unlike Uberti or Pietta. The back spring is very heavy like the old colts but I j have never fired it as it is in new condition.

[@duelist1954]

I have only seen them in magazine rticles.

[@geffreybolster3780]

A curious note,- Original Walkers were not made by Colt. Nor were the '3rd Gens'. The big difference is: Colt went to Whitney and asked for them to be made. With the Signatures, The makers went to Colt and asked if they could make them.

[@peterrooney4961]

Great video. You say the 2nd gen "C" series (1851 and Dragoon) were machined here to Colt specs, I've always wondered why they had the short arbor problem just like modern Uberti's

[@TXGRunner]

You mean arbor ahead of lowest chamber mouth is too short to insert paper cartridges with Johnson & Dow conical? I didn’t have a cartridge to try it myself on mine, but I did ask about it on an earlier video of his on Full30. I thought he responded it was deep enough, but maybe he was only referring to F series 1860’s instead C series 1851’s. I have both, but haven’t tried either yet. I’d be sick to lengthen the arbor in a 2nd Gen Colt.

[@Solarship_Radical]

Most helpful video on these handguns I’ve found. Great info

[@jerrymiller8984]

Excellent presentation, enjoyed learning more about the Colt 1860

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

I love the forest btw

[@hickorysplitter9185]

Hello Mike, I enjoyed watching this episode. I have a 2nd generation in unfired condition and its definitely made to Colt quality standards. Also of interest is that the serial number range picks up right where the 1st generation left off. Keep up your good work! Andy

[@generatorjohn4537]

Thanks so much for this video. I purchased a Signature Series Hartford Whitneyville Dragoon shortly before sales were discontinued. At the time I received my pistol in the mail it was shipped without an instruction manual. I never gave it a thought at the time. Contacted Henry Repeating Arms and was told no longer have any left. Searched the internet for a pdf copy but no success. I would like a pdf copy of the manual that came with the Signature Series to complete my set. Oh yeah also purchased a presentation case, bullet mold, wrench, cap tin, powder flask. Thanks again for your time and effort on this particular subject. I remember you said that you would cover this topic. "Promises made and promises kept!" You are the best!

[@michaelray4033]

I'm just gonna stick with Pietta, so I don't feel too guilty if they break. Excellent video as usual Mike.

[@erikskole7669]

Yep.. I even bought a cartridge cylinder so I can do black powder and 45 colt. For my pietta. I like it.

[@terrysmith8714]

Thanks Mike.

[@rdt417]

Well covered info. All ways great to learn from the best!!!...

[@jimp5777]

Great Video, Have a 2nd gens. 1851 Navy, 1860 Army, 1860 Army Stainless and a 49 Pocket Police. Traded my 6 3rd generations for a mint 1930's Mauser cased set Broomhandle. My 1860 Army 3rd generation locked up on the first shot, sent it back and never tried shooting again.

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

I just bought a 2nd Gen yesterday, I’m pretty excited about it. Thanks for these informative videos.

[@PlayaSinNombre]

Those autumn leaves are enchanting.

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Very good information, thank you for sharing your knowledge and understanding of Colts and percussion revolvers.

[@Blackbart5118]

Very interesting and informative! Thanks Mike.

[@Schlachtschule]

Fascinating and informative as always, Mike. I didn't understand this before seeing this video. I've been thinking about an 1860, and now I know I want a 2nd Generation model.

[@williamgregory6684]

If you want to call it the enchanted Forest,that is your right! Don't be Potlically Correct and give in.Excellent video as usual. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the subject at hand.

[@Matzah1982]

Definitely the 1860 colt is the beautiful pistol of all time. I love the Uberti repros. I find that I shoot the uberti 1851 navy .36 and the uberti 1860 army .44 better than I shoot any other pistols. I find the Uberti repro 1851 navy .36 to be slightly more accurate than the Uberti repro 1860 army .44 and the navy has better screws. I owned 2 uberti 1860 army pistols and all of the 6 screws on both the grips and the trigger guard was seized horribly but the 2 uberti 1851 navy pistols I had there was no problem any seized screws and I learned how to replace trigger stop springs and triggers with the Uberti 1851 navy .36

[@johngallagher2313]

Sure wish i had bought a second generation back when they were making them. I was to poor then to afford one. Same problem now LOL

[@RobinP556]

Me too, but I was a bit on the young side as well, born in 1961. I do have a number of the 3rd generation Signature Series though and do shoot them.

[@geffreybolster3780]

I sure hope you can get ahold of a Colt 2nd Gen. They are pure artistry. Nothing compares. I have and fire a l l of them! Replicas don t even come close. I have select Signature examples. They are v e r y well fit and finished. A lot of the Sig Colts are lacking b a d !

[@johnjohnon8767]

Check out Simpson unlimited, I believe that's a source

[@johnjohnon8767]

@@geffreybolster3780 62 5 shot pocket navy, manufactured 82, unfired

[@PalmettoNDN]

Being in SC with a temperature including heat index of at least 101 for over a month I can't wait until those fall colors are real.

[@davidhruska9643]

nice collection of Colts that is housed in the magical forest with swords and other weapons.They were real!

[@TXGRunner]

This will cause prices on 2nd Gen Colt Cap & Ball revolvers to increase. Great video.

[@genesmolko8113]

Every 3rd Generation Colt percussion revolver I've seen had bad problem, a canted barrel. The first one I purchased, an 1860, was canted to the right. Since I was new to Colt percussion revolvers, I didn't notice it at first so by the time I noticed it, it was too late to return it. I managed to find a gunsmith who repaired this by straightening the base pin. I purchased a 3rd Gen 1851 and it too had a canted barrel, to the left this time, I returned it. I recently purchased another 1851 I won on a gun auction site. It was listed as a 2nd Gen but when I received it the signature on the back strap revealed it to be a 3rd Gen. This time the barrel problem was different. It was straight, but the flats weren't ground straight. The top flat was canted and there was a narrowing of the flat from back to front. I also saw this problem in the now defunct US Firearms 1851, it had a canted barrel. They produced a small run of these and the one I saw also had the barrel canting problem. I have never seen this barrel canting issue in a 2nd Gen, so that's all I buy. I hate the signature anyway, the originals had no signature of course.

[@bobscruggs9051]

I purchased a matched set of 1860 Army 44 cal with shoulder stock and display case year made in 1977 . It was a nightmare the first pistol I had to to knock out the wedge with a hammer and large piece of wood the cylinder would not turn on the arbor it was tight once again hammer and wood to remove it , the second pistol almost the same . These were made for display only I guess Colt figured that no one would attempt to shoot these only look at them a more of a collectors piece , there is no way this would have been inspected for safety or use . Both you and Blackie Thomas showed me how to use metal files and emery paper to tune these pistols without you guys knowledge they were nothing but junk , yes doing this tuning I have mars all over these pistols due to trying this the first time but I hate to say it but these were a bad investment , but do in fact shoot better than the Pietta 36 cal I bought which had edges that were very sharp and had to be filed down to shoot safely. I also bought a Colt 36 cal made in I think 1975 , again fine tuning before shooting m So I purchased an Ruger Remington Old Army 44 cal at a pawn shop after taking it completely a part and cleaning the pistol is smooth as silk as it should be no tuning was required , so Colt you should be ashamed of yourselves for ever selling your 2 nd generation pistols to the public without at least checking for function and safety .

[@BigRooster616]

I love my F series 1860 Army. As a Cap Gun Shooter and Owning 27 Cap Guns . The F series is the finest shooting Cap Gun . I have ever shot .

[@nomadpi1]

Thks. Your videos have been pertinent, educational and informative. I take GOW and your info has been a second level of much more detailed info that exceeds survey course details.

[@wetzel041]

Mike (or anyone): Enjoyed your presentation on the three generations of the Colt 1860 Army revolver. I have an 1860 Army which came in a fitted, plush lined wood case with a powder flask, bullet mold, RWS caps and balls. The butt of the grip is stamped MADE IN BELGIUM. The top of the barrel is marked 1960 NEW MODEL ARMY CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK. The serial number is 9182. It is a beautiful gun, lovely blue, lovely wood grips. brass frame and looks brand new and unused/unfired. I almost hesitate to handle it, much less shoot it. What do I have? Thanks, Phil.

[@Th3Sabator45]

Thats a centaur colt, according to some people who love cap and ball guns claim those as a holy grail as they're a 1:1 with original 1860 colts, pietta and uberti did some refinements to their guns

[@henrysara7716]

Great clip full of info there. Thank you duelist1954.

[@stevecoffman1576]

Thanks Mike, Very good video.

[@mtslyh]

Always informative! Great work.

[@dougrogers835]

Thanks for the info. The Signature series Colt is all I ever see. People say they are of a higher standard over the Italian versions..

[@catyear75]

I love the Colt Army pistols ! When it comes to replicas of said, do you prefer Uberti or Pietta? What was wrong with “ Enchanted Forest” ?

[@duelist1954]

Personally, I think Ubertis are a bit better made.

[@catyear75]

Thanks so much!

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Great history thank you for sharing!👍🏾😀❤️🇺🇸

[@JamesThomas-gg6il]

If you say its a colt, i believe it. If you say its uberti made then i believe you for sure. You are the man.

[@geffreybolster3780]

Wonderful Autumn colors. Good 'ol Colt 60 Army. I have three,- A regular Authentic, an Authentic fluted (with stock) and a Signature Nickel. really amazing firing attributes. A comfortable rolling recoil and good punch with accuracy, with a 'Richmond' looking 190g elongated cast from the Signature mold and a 'Dragoon' looking c: 212g elongated cast from an Authentic Colt mold. 32g FFFg sends it down range nicely. Good fun. The quality, fit and finish, and operating precision of the '2nd Gens' are p h e n o m a l l y better than A N Y replica! The '3rd Gens are a sad hit and miss. Some of mine are v e r y tight etc. I ve gotten rid of the 'offenders'. A WH Dragoon, a Nickel '60 and two '49 Pockets remain. They re beautifully tight, fit and finished/operating.

[@NW_Ranger]

Sir, Thank you for the strait story. I salute you for it.

[@ryancawdor8083]

Enjoyed this very much, Mr. Bellevue!

[@jayclark7237]

It seems odd that the first generation model has the relief cuts on the frame and backstrap for the shoulder stock, despite not having the fourth screw. Was that common? Very informative and well-done video!

[@jeremyclark4057]

That was very informative. I have been told by several people that the second generation Colts were nothing more than overpriced Ubirti's too. It seems people would rather form an opinion, than do their homework. I'm curious what the manufacturing process was for 1st generation Colts.

[@wadekummer]

I like all three!

[@STMwoodturning]

Great video Mike! Thanks for the explanation on this topic. I've heard a lot of conflicting info on this over the years. Also, your video had three ads so I guess YT is letting you out of jail a little LOL!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

well done video sir

[@robertlipsey6056]

Hi. Enjoyed your video. I have what I believe to be a 2nd 1860 army. It’s a genuine Colt that has military markings on it. Do you happen to know anything about those? Thank you.

[@olegrayheadedfart]

Shops are enchanted! That's where the magic happens!

[@erasgonehistoricalmolds2400]

Excellent run down. Thanks! Were the 3rd gens at least finished in the USA? How did they get around not having Italian import marks?

[@kevinkenyon4593]

Mike, thank you for a great and informative video. Sent from the "Enchanted Forest" no less, way to go. Stay safe.

[@dominickzappola2429]

Great information great video.

[@ArnoSchmidt70]

Very informative, Thanks.

[@sahmadi1000]

I love what you do for us.

[@fredjacobsen5025]

Loving it! Thank you Mike! Keep on keeping on! 😃

[@bedeodempsey5007]

Just bought the last Cimarron Uberti 1860 in stock at Texas Jacks for just over $300 with military veteran discount. Will be paired with my 3 month old 1860 conversion from Midway.

[@bluescatreimer]

Good video Mike, a lot of useful information.right there.

[@r669charger7]

Duelist, what is your opinion of the Belgium, Centaur made 1860's?

[@duelist1954]

I have never handled one.

[@michaelsullivan988]

Thank you for this video.

[@scottcoffman8306]

Very informative video enjoyed every minute.

[@olskool3967]

great info Mike, thanks for sharing your knowledge,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@spud4ever290]

I have been guilty of that mistake myself - thank you for the clarification!

[@FiddlingOnTheRoof]

Excellent video! I'm curious whether the Signature Series revolvers have the short arbor issues that modern Uberti's seem to have?

[@billwild7512]

A great video , I've been through all the San Marcos and pietta's and a few uberti's over the many years I've been shooting , still have a few of em but I now only go with colt's cartridge guns and that's all I buy now , this great video has now got me my plan on matching my remaining Italians with the 2nd gen colts cap and balls , I've kept most of my Italians I guess for the nostalgia but there's just nothing like the real colts , thanks for the info and sharing another great video cheers big ears

[@seantierney3]

Thank you for clearing up the differences in manufacture. I was wondering if you would do a video like mark hubs did with the 1858 comparing precise measurements of an original to replicas. Would love to know how close the various generations of colt 1860 revolvers are to each other as well as pietta, uberti, and asm if you had one.

[@charleyfolkes]

Sean Tierney That’s an interesting comment you made on manufacturing differences. My 1851 and 1849 pocket, as I assume all 1st generations, wedge together with 3 points of contact; * wedge to arbor * arbor end to arbor bore * barrel assembly to frame The arbor end is rounded and hand fit The arbor wedge slot is hand fit The barrel assembly is fit to frame and cylinder clearance. In each case, hand file marks can be seen evidencing the fitting. My reproduction Walker has a flat arbor end and it does NOT bottom out tight in the barrel assembly arbor bore. Additionally, a reproduction arbor I bought for my 1849 pocket is flat on the end and shorter so it would not ever wedge tight in the arbor bore. My thought is that the reproduction guns left that step out because working those 3 fitting steps simultaneously was too much trouble. It would be very interesting to know how Colt fit the parts to get the tight lockup, adequate wedge judging for wear, and proper cylinder clearance. Also, like you said, are the Gen 2 guns fit like originals or like the Italians ? Remember the Good Bad and Ugly scene with Tuco in the Gun shop trading and fitting parts ? Kinda like that. These are just my observations from working on and shooting old original Colts and modern Italian reproductions and parts. I would welcome any feedback.

[@nicksuffolk7755]

Useful video thanks, I have 2 2nd gen 1860s in the US Cavalry set

[@rlnunleybamboo]

I have a Colt 1860 that’s confusing. Has a “C” stamped in all major parts, all appearances seem to indicate it’s a 2nd generation 1860, buy the S/N 80787, stamped in the frame, trigger guard and barrel seem to say it’s an 1862 firearm (no way). Any thoughts on this?

[@bbarton84]

Great video!

[@josephgioielli]

Reminds me of the story of the Colt Junior. All the quality of an Astra at Colt prices. You can really see the difference in quality between the 2nd and 3rd gen. Just not the same. Not that I could afford any of the 3. lol Very informative.

[@WORRO]

Very good video, Thumbs up ~John

[@straightpipec6099]

Very nice

[@Yosemite-George-61]

...2024... a word on original vs Italian reproduction: Last time I shot competition MLAIC with my "spaguetti" 1851 I was looking at the scores and I noticed that the guys shooting original revolvers had higher scores than us in the repro. class and I made a comment to the referee. He answered: "Of course they do, those originals are way better than your replicas".

[@misterandersson5645]

Can anyone explain this? I see the cutouts in the recoil shield for the shoulder stock, even on revolvers without the fourth screw. The vast majority seems to have this cutout, but there are some with an "intact" recoil shield as well. Is this a question of when they were made? Like the early ones with the forth screw had to have this cutout. Then they got rid of the screw, but still kept the same frame, until later production when they made the frame with a recoil shield without the cutout? Maybe this seems like too small a detail to worry about, but I like knowing about small details.

[@michael.w.salter]

Thanks for the history lesson Mike. Very interesting. I own the cheap ones that come packed in olive oil. I’m thinking of picking up an Uberti Remington Navy. I believe it’s a more accurate replica than the Pietta. Your thoughts?

[@evanisaiah1000]

I bought an black box 1860 army today. How do I tell exactly what year it was made. Colts website has nothing and hard to find info. It’s a stainless steel one too by the way

[@fabriziomariani6638]

Buongiorno, splendide armi, esposte con competenza e professionalità, un saluto cordiale e un grazie per la sua disponibilità a permettere di condividere questi esempi di tecnologia armiera

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I like the grip angle on the 1st gen Colt.

[@rayfoster6980]

Interesting, I’ve heard ‘different’ conjecture about these in the past and didn’t really know what to believe.

[@OldGuyBigFoot]

any comment on the San Marco Walker Colt? I really like mine, but it's the only one that I have.

[@paramount10987]

I have a second generation or black box Colt. It has a fluted cyclinder unlike yours. Was this typical? Could someone have changed the cylinder? I purchased it at a gun show in Allentown, Pa about 10 years ago. The seller had many black box colts, I wanted others but of course the limiting factor, money.

[@RockawayCCW]

@ 5:35 to 6:30 Money was silver and gold back then, so there was no inflation. When your money keeps it's value, manufacturers don't have to "cheap out" trying to keep prices in check.

[@mikel1483]

the 1860 has the most refined, sleek design of any hand gun ever made. to me they are a true work of art.

[@RossSeymour]

I was hoping to hear about the Stainless Steel 2nd Gens.

[@msgt1942]

thanks for the info u made me realize i want A REAL/ORIGINAL 1860 army 1st generation. not a later replica gun even if it is a well built made by colt with ALMOST all colt parts.

[@trsgringo]

Why do you say Uberti was not forging their frames until 2007? I have an Uberti catalog from the early 1990s where they specifically advertise their frames (at least for the Cattleman and the Buckhorn) as being forged and milled and it shows photos of one of their frames being forged.

[@alanhope1190]

Hey Mike, how about a video comparing the shooting qualities of the three generations of 1860 Army revolvers?