Colt MFG - Firearms Contract Details From 1847 - 1899
Colt MFG - Firearms Contract Details From 1847 - 1899
Colt MFG - Firearms Contract Details From 1847 - 1899
Name
Colt
Street
Van Dyke
Town
Hartford
State
Connecticut
From
To
1847/1848 1899
Patent
Date
Remarks
Contract
for
Product
The Van Dyke address was found in the Hartford City Directory 1873-1874
Handguns percussion
Pre-Production First Model Dragoon, also known as Fluck Dragoon or called Colt's Second Contract Dragoon Revolver
Best estimates state that there are somewhere around 30 to 50 of these ULTRA rare Colts still in existence... far fewer than the elusive Walker Colt. Once referred to as the "Fluck" dragoon, named after the arms collector John Fluck who first recognized this model as a distinct and unique model of dragoon. He had written some decades ago that these guns were made largely of odd Walker Colt parts from failed Walkers... and this theory was accepted for decades... UNTIL RECENTLY... when it was shown and proven without question that these rare dragoons are actually the true successor to the Walker and were also the model that preceded the true Colt First Model Dragoon. After Colt supplied his first contract of 1000 Walker Revolvers, his improved design for his Second Contract in late 1847 was for THIS rare "2nd Contract Dragoon"... (See Monograph by Max Longfield for more data). In addition the parts on these guns were made expressly for this model and were not left overs
from the Walker production. The only Walker feature found on these is the die stamp used on some of the early serial numbers. These Second Contract... or Pre-Production First Models are believed to have been made in a quantity of 1000 guns (contrary to John Fluck's theory that 300 were made... ) Serials are believed to be 2001 to 3000... the gun here shown is THE LAST FLUCK DRAGOON EVER MADE. It is numbered 3,000 on all parts and has period replacement parts from Fluck number 2,784 and 2,223 which have been overstruck with 3,000 or 000... The following parts are twice numbered... barrel and wedge both originally 2,784 and both additionally struck with 3,000), The rammer originally 2,223 is also struck 000, and cylinder overstruck 3000 and 000. This gun is 100% Fluck Dragoon in all respects. Every part is original PreProduction First model. The backstrap, trigger guard, frame, arbor, etc... were all shipped from Colt with the number 3,000 on them. These parts bear only the original Colt die struck serial of 3,000. The balance of the parts are from two other Fluck dragoons (presumably guns that failed and were stripped for parts)... these being Fluck (also called 2nd Contract Colt or Pre Production First Model) number 2,784 and 2,223. These parts bear their original Fluck serial numbers as well as the added 3,000 or 000 added when the gun was repaired. These period replacement parts from the other Fluck Dragoons were renumbered 3,000 or 000... but not with Colt factory dies. I believe these marks were put there by a military armorer who repaired this gun in the service of the US Dragoons. Fluck Dragoon, right side
number
1341 - 3999 4000 - 6999 7000 - 7999 some overlap with 2nd Model
round barrel, with loading lever Weight = 4 pounds, 2 ounces Cylinder engraved with the Texas Rangers against Comanche scene and 6 locking pins at the breech except the early production which has only 1 locking pin, round cylinder stops Markings on barrel - ADDRESS SAML COLT, NEW-YORK CITY Markings on cylinder MODEL U.S.M.R. and COLT'S PATENT or U.S. DRAGOONS AND COLT'S PATENT Triggerguard is square at back 1st Model,left side right side
number
8000 - 9499 9000 - 10699 some overlap with 3rd Model
number
10700 - 11999 12000 - 12499 12500 - 13749 13750 - 13999 14000 - 15499 15550 - 16249 16250 - 16499 16500 - 17999 18000 - 18499 18500 - 19099 19100 - 19800
Some 3rd Model Dragoons were fitted with attachable shoulder stock 3rd Model, left side 3rd Model, right side other 3rd Model, right side
number
1-? ?-? ?-? ? - 700
number
1 - 1999 (about 100 were produced in Whitneyville) 2000 - 7999 8000 - 11999 12000 - about 15500 (overlap with Model 1849 Pocket)
1848 Pocket "Baby Dragoon", 3" barrel, left side right side 1848 Pocket "Baby Dragoon", 6" barrel, left side right side
number
12000 (overlap with Baby Dragoon) - 15999 16000 - 24999 25000 - 54999 55000 - 84999 85000 - 99999 100000 - 109999 110000 - 129999 130000 - 139999 140000 - 149999 150000 - 159999 160000 - 183999 184000 - 196999 197000 - 222999 223000 - 249999 250000 - 269999 270000 - 279999 280000 - 289999 290000 - 299999 300000 - 309999 310000 - 319999
1849 Pocket, 4" barrel, left side 1849 Pocket, 5" barrel, left side 1849 Pocket, 5" barrel, left side, other one right side 1849 Pocket, 6" barrel, left side 1849 Pocket, 6" barrel, right side
number
1 - 999 1000 - 4999 5000 - 8999 9000 - 11000
number
1 - 2499 2500 - 9999 10000 - 19999 20000 - 34999 35000 - 39999 40000 - 44999 45000 - 64999 65000 - 84999 85000 - 89999 90000 - 92999 93000 - 97999 98000 - 117999 118000 - 131999
1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873
132000 - 174999 175000 - 179999 180000 - 184999 185000 - 199999 200000 - 203999 204000 - 206999 207000 - 209999 210000 - 211999 212000 - 213999 214000 - 214999 215000 - 215348
No.49860 was distributed by the Kansas Central Committee to N. King No.50400 was distributed by the Kansas Central Committee to A. Curtis No.50966 was distributed by the Kansas Central Committee to J.B. May No. 204685 with ivory prips is considered as one of Wild Bill Hickock's guns In the Records of Arms disbursed by the Central COmmitt (Kansas 1858) figures several Colt revolvers with serial numbers. Unfortunately the models are not stated but most probably it was the 1851 Model. See on my home page American History, Civil War, Records of Arms ....
4th Model (large rounded oval triggerguard) from about 85000 to end
1851 Navy, 7 1/2" barrel No. 210422 manufactured in 1870, left side same, right side Thanks to Herman for the pics of this 1851 number 118903 (4th generation of the very early of 1862) from bottom grips down-side dowt-left left side left side closer look grip left grip left closer right side serial number detached loading lever close frame frame front front lever open again left side number on barrel number on cylinder again cylinder number on cylinder pin barrel-top
number
1 - 3999 4000 - 14999 15000 - 40999 41000 - about 42000
number
1 - 4999 5000 - 14999 15000 - 17999 18000 - 19999 20000 - 21999 22000 - 25999 26000 - ? around 28000
Some fluted cylinders are known with round and octagon barrel Markings on barrel in two lines Production for the .28 and .31 model was about 44000. COLT PATENT ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or COLT PT 1855 ADDRESS COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or ADDRESS COL. COLT NEW-YORK U.S.A. ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON
.28 caliber percussion, 5 shot single action revolver .28 cal., left side .28 cal., right side
number
1 - 999 1000 - 4299 4300 - 5999 6000 - 7999 8000 - 8999 9000 - 9999 10000 - 10999 11000 - 11999 12000 - 12999 13000 - 13999 14000 - ? Production ended in 1873
.31 caliber percussion, 6 shot round cylinder, 3 1/2" octagon and round barrel and 4 1/2" round barrel Weight = 17 ounces (octagon barrel), 16 ounces (3 1/2" round), 16 1/2 ounces (4 1/2"round) Cylinder stamped PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850 or PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850 and engraved with the Cabin and Indian Fight scene (only octagon barrels) or with the Stagecoach Holdup scene (only round barrel) Some fluted cylinders are known with round and octagon barrel Markings on barrel in two lines Production for the .28 and .31 model was about 44000. COLT PATENT ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or COLT PT 1855 ADDRESS COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or ADDRESS COL. COLT NEW-YORK U.S.A. ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON
.31 caliber percussion, 5 shot single action Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Revolver .31 cal., left side .31 cal., right side
number
1 - 1999 2000 - 24999 25000 - 84999 85000 - 149999 150000 - 152999 153000 - 155999 156000 - 161999 162000 - 169999 170000 - 176999
177000 - 184999 185000 - 189999 190000 - 197999 198000 - 198999 199000 - 200500
1860 Army, 8" barrel, left side 1860 Army, 8" barrel, right side .44 caliber percussion, 6 shot single action Model 1860 Army Revolver, 7 1/2" or 8" round barrel, fluted cylinder (production was about 4000) 1860 Army, 8" barrel, left side 1860 Army, 8" barrel, right side cylinder left side cylinder right side top
number
1 - 4599
1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873
4600 - 9999 10000 - 16999 17000 - 24999 25000 - 27999 28000 - 29999 30000 - 30999 31000 - 32999 33000 - 33999 34000 - 34999 35000 - 35999 36000 - 36999 37000 - 38843
number
1 - 8499 8500 - 14999 15000 - 25999 26000 - 28999 29000 - 31999 32000 - 34999 35000 - 36999 37000 - 39999 40000 - 41999 42000 - 43999 44000 - 44999 45000 - 45999 46000 - 47000
It is estimated that 60% of the production were the Police Model and 40% were the Pocket Navy
Weight = 26 ounces (6 1/2" barrel) Cylinder stamped PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850 Markings on barrel ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S.AMERICA or ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT. or ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON
1862 Police, 4 1/2", left side 1862 Police, 4 1/2", right side 1862 Police, 6 1/2" barrel, left side
1862 Pocket Pistol "Navy", 5 1/2" barrel, left side right side 1862 Pocket Pistol "Navy", 6 1/2" barrel, left side
Handguns conversions
Colt 1849 Pocket Model conversions
1849 Pocket, .38 r.f. caliber, 4 1/2" barrel, left side Conversion of 1849 Pocket Model from percussion to .38 r.f. caliber, five shot, 4 1/2" octagonal barrel, altered from 1873 to 1875. There would be only 4000 pieces in .38 r.f. caliber. Markings on barrel. ADDRESS COL.SAM COLT NEW YORK US AMERICA and on left frame PAT.JOLY.25.1871 PAT JULY2.1872 1849 Pocket, .38 r.f. caliber, 4 1/2" barrel, left side 1849 Pocket, .38 r.f. caliber, 3 1/2" barrel, left side
number
1 - 1999 2000 - 6999 7000 - 19000
Overlap with serial range of Model 1849 and Pocket Navy Model 1862. The conversions were all completed from about 1873 to 1880 and did not exceed more than about 25000 revolvers
.38 r.f. or .38 centerfire caliber, 5 shot rebated round cylinder, 4 1/2", 5 1/2" or 6 1/2" round barrel, loading lever assembly were plugged but the loading cutout traversely through the breech end of the lug was not altered Cylinder with the Stagecoach Holdup scene Markings on barrel ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S.AMERICA Markings on frame left in two lines COLTS Patent or - PAT. JULY. 25, 1871 - PAT. JULY. 2, 1872 - or - PAT. SEPT 19. 1871 - PAT. JULY. 2. 1872 about 6500 were manufactured from 1873 to 1875 within the special serial range of the 1862 Police and Pocket Navy Model or in the normal serial range of the 1862 Police and Pocket Navy Model
Colt Model 1862 Police 1862 Police, .38 r.f. caliber, 4 1/2" barrel, right side Colt Model 1862 Pocket Navy 1862 Pocket Navy, .38 r.f. caliber, 4 1/2" barrel, right side
.38 r.f. caliber, 4 1/2" barrel, left side .38 r.f. caliber, 4 1/2" barrel, right side
Markings on barrel COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO HARTFORD CT.U.S.A. Markings on frame left in two lines COLTS Patent or - PAT. JULY. 25, 1871 - PAT. JULY. 2, 1872 about 6000 were manufactured from 1873 to 1880 within the special serial range of the 1862 Police and Pocket Navy Model or in percussion Model 1849 serial range from 274000 to 328000
number
1-? ? - about 7000
.44 r.f. (centerfire are known but not factory made), 6 shot round cylinder, 7 1/2" and a few 8" round with ejector Cylinder with the Naval Engagement scene Markings on barrel - ADRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA - or COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO HARTFORD CT.U.S.A. (at the end of production) Markings on frame left COLTS Patent or - PAT. JULY. 25, 1871 - PAT. JULY. 2, 1872 .44 r.f. caliber, left side right side
number
1 - 199 200 - 14999 15000 - 21999 22000 - 32999 33000 - 40999 41000 - 48999 49000 - 52999 53000 - 61999 62000 - 72999 73000 - 84999 85000 - 101999 102000 - 113999 114000 - 116999 117000 - 118999 119000 - 124999 125000 - 127999 128000 - 129999 130000 - 135999 136000 - 143999 144000 - 148999 149000 - 153999
154000 - 158999 159000 - 162999 163000 - 167999 168000 - 174999 175000 - 181999 182000 - 191999 192000 - 202999
Major purchaser of Colt's Buntline Special Revolvers (serial numbers 28802, 28803, 28805, 28806, 28807, 28809, 28810, 28811, 28812, 28815, 28816, 28818, 28819, 28833, 28823, 28824, 28826, 28830) 3 were in 10", 1 in 12" and 11 in 16" shipped between November 1876 and May 1884. Two of them were in .44-40 caliber and the others in .45 caliber.
.45 cal. 2nd year production, left side same, right side 1873 3rd year production, right side .38-40 caliber, 4 3/4" barrel, left side same, right side
1873 .41 cal., right side .45 caliber, 4 3/4" barrel, left side same, right side .45 caliber, 5 1/2" barrel, left side same, right side
325000 (1913) Markings on barrel COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. or COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON
number
1 - 3999 4000 - 4999 5000 - 5999 6000 - 7199 7200 - 9599 9600 - 9952
Production
Year
1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877
number
1 - 2999 3000 - 5999 6000 - 7499 7500 - 47999 48000 - 84999 85000 - 94900 95000 - 114200
number
1 - 4499 4500 - 8999 9000 - 12999 13000 - 42999
1877
43000 - 55343
1st Model
Short fluted cylinder (serial range 1 to 16000) .22 Model 1, left side .22 Model 1, right side .22 Model 1, left side, nickel plated .22 Model 1, right side, nickel plated
2nd Model
Long fluted cylinder (serial range from 16000 to end) .22 Model 2, left side .22 Model 2, right side
number
1 - 1499 1500 - 9199 9200 - 10956
number
1 - 2099 2100 - 8799 8800 - 9999 10000 - 12999 13000 - 13999 14000 - 14999 15000 - 15999 16000 - 16999 17000 - 17999 18000 - 18999 19000 - 19999 20000 - about 22000
1st Model
Short fluted cylinder (serial range 1 to 10000), 2 1/4" barrel Model 1, left side Model 1, right side
2nd Model
Long fluted cylinder (serial range from 10000 to end), 2 1/4" and 4" barrel Model 2, left side Model 2, right side
number
1 - 499 500 - 5799 5800 - 5999 6000 - 6999 7000 - 8999 9000 - 10999 11000 - 12516
1st Model
Short fluted cylinder (serial range 1 to 3200), 2 1/4" round barrel .38 r.f. cal. Model 1, left side, 2 1/4" barrel .38 r.f. cal. Model 1, right side, 2 1/4" barrel
2nd Model
Long fluted cylinder (serial range from 3200 to end), 2 1/4" or 4" round barrel .38 r.f. cal. Model 2, left side, 2 1/4" barrel
number
1 - 999 1000 - 3199 3200 - 6999 7000 - 8999 9000 - 9999 10000 - 10702
1st Model
Short fluted cylinder, serial number rang 1 to 3200, 2 1/4" round barrel My friend was paying a fortune for this Colt in excellent condition with no pittings. Thanks for the pics, Dirk. 1st Model, left side 1st Model, right side
2nd Model
Long fluted cylinder, serial number range from 3200 to end, 2 1/4" or 4" round barrel
2nd Model, left side Comparison of size of the new line revolver, thanks Dirk .30, .32, .38, and .41 caliber, left side
number
10300 - 10999 11000 - 13499 13500 - 14999 15000 - 16999 17000 - 19999 20000 - 22999 23000 - about 25700
number
14450 - 14999 15000 - 16999 17000 - 19999 20000 - 22999 23000 - 25700
number
1 - 2999
1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
3000 - 13499 13500 - 18999 19000 - 27999 28000 - 33999 34000 - 39999 40000 - 47999 48000 - 51499 51500 - 53999 53000 - 57499 57500 - 62699 62700 - 72499 72500 - 73499 73500 - 80499 80500 - 85399 85400 - 88999 89000 - 94999 95000 - 96999 97000 - 101699 101700 - 105199 105200 - 107499 107500 - 111499 111500 - 115499 115500 - 122699
Same serial number range for the both models. The production ended in 1909 at about 166849
Lightning Model
.38 caliber long and short Colt, 6 shot double action Lightning Model various barrel lengths sold for $16 in 1882 Markings on barrel COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A. or COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A./DEPOT 14. PALL MALL LONDON Lightning, 4" barrel, left side same, right side
Thunderer Model
.41 caliber long and short Colt, 6 shot double action sold for $17 in 1882
The number 11922 was one of Billy the Kid's guns. When he died on July 13, 1881 his mexican girlfriend Celsa sent this gun to her parents in Mexico. The number 79180 was one of Bob Darlton's guns.
.41 caliber centerfire, no 69302, Thunderer build in 1888, inside left grip graved 1805 CL or 1895 CL, left side same, inside right grip graved A.L. and J C? or J G?, right side 7 1/2" barrel, left side same, right side
number
1 - 1449 1450 - 3999
1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
4000 - 4499 4500 - 7449 7450 - 9499 9500 - 12199 12200 - 13699 13700 - 16099 16100 - 18099 18100 - 20899 20900 - 22299 22300 - 24599 24600 - 27199 27200 - 29499 29500 - 31299 31300 - 33099 33100 - 34699 34700 - 35099 35100 - 36499 36500 - 38199 38200 - 40999 41000 - 42999 43000 - 47999
Caliber
.22 rf .32 .32-20 .38 Colt .38-40 .41 Colt .44 Russian .44-40 .45 Colt .450 British .455 British .476 British
number produced
2 2 970 40 1752 308 728 18693 17177 2390 1732 2458
Above list is not exhaustive or at 100% accurate as there rest a difference of about 5000 to the number of totally produced revolvers
.32-20 caliber, left side same, right side .44-40 caliber, left side same, right side .45 caliber, 7 1/2" barrel, left side same, right side .450 Boxer, left side same, right side
Year
1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894
number
1 - 5199 5200 - 10399 10400 - 17099 17100 - 23499 23500 - 27999 28000 - about 31000
number
1 - 9999 10000 - 11299 11300 - 15099 15100 - 67999 68000 - 76999 77000 - 91199
number
1 - 249 250 - 2299 2300 - 5599
number
1 - 449 450 - 5999 6000 - 7799 7800 - 8999 9000 - 10499 10500 - 11899
1899 1900
number
1 - 4199 4200 - 4599 4600 - 7299 7300 - 9499 9500 - 11999
6.1888 in two lines on 6" barrel .32 caliber, 6" barrel, left side same, right side
Longarms percussion
1st Model Sporting Rifle
.36 caliber percussion, 6 shot single action, as carbine with 15" and 18" barrels as rifle with 21", 24", 27" and 30" barrels Numbered from 1 to about 1000, manufactured from 1856 to about 1859 Cylinder with the Deer and Hunter scene Weight = 10 pounds with 27" barrel Markings on barrel ADDRESS S. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or COLT'S PT.1856 ADDRESS COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. .36 caliber, left side same, right side
.36 caliber percussion, 6 shot single action .40 caliber percussion, 6 shot single action .44 caliber percussion, 6 shot single action .50 caliber percussion, 6 shot single action .56 caliber percussion, 5 shot single action Each caliber was numbered in a separate serial number range, manufactured from 1856 to about 1864, production was 3455 rifles Cylinder full fluted Weight = 10 pounds 27" barrel, .36 caliber 9 pounds, 2 ounces 27" barrel, .44 caliber 9 pounds, 11 ounces 27" barrel, .56 caliber Markings on barrel ADDRESS S. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or COLT'S PT.1856 ADDRESS COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. somes wer marked ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON .56 caliber, 24" barrel, left side same, right side other, left side same, right side
Numbered in the same serial number range as the Sporting Rifles and the Military Rifles. Overall production was about 4500, manufactured from 1856 to about 1864 Cylinder full fluted Weight = 8 pounds, 8 ounces 18" barrel, .36 caliber 8 pounds, 12 ounces 18" barrel, .44 caliber 9 pounds, 8 ounces 18" barrel, .56 caliber Markings on barrel ADDRESS S. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or COLT'S PT.1856 ADDRESS COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. or COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. somes wer marked ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON
Longarms cartridge
Berdan Model Military Rifle and Carbine
.42 caliber bottle necked centerfire cardridge, single shot, rifle with 32 1/2" round barrel carbine with 18 1/4" round barrel manufactured from 1866 to 1870 and production was over 30000 most of them was sold to russia and bears the barrel address in cyrilic Weight = 10 pounds for rifle and 7 pounds, 4 ounces for carbine Markings on barrel - COLT'S PT FIRE ARMS MFG CO HARTFORD CT -
number
1 - 99 100 - 2249 2250 - 7849 7850 - 11799 11800 - 14999 15000 - 17399
17400 - 18549 18550 - 20349 20350 -21199 21200 - 21999 22000 - 22499 22500 - 22683
number
1 - 249 250 - 849 850 - 1399
1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895
1400 -2199 2200 - 3055 3056 - gap from 3056 to 4057 4058 - 4449 4450 - 5349 5350 - 6249 6250 - 6749 6750 - 7249 7250 - 7549 7550 - 8366
1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
1 - 3074 3075 - 12649 12650 -20499 20500 - 24999 25000 - 32999 33000 - 40999 41000 - 49999 50000 - 63199 63200 - 65999 66000 - 70999 71000 - 75999 76000 - 78999 79000 - 80499 80500 - 82499 82500 - 83999 84000 - 85799 85800 - 87799
number
1 - 999 1000 - 7999 8000 - 11749 11750 - 14299 14300 - 14699 14700 - 15399 15400 - 16599 16600 - 19799 19800 - 22999 23000 - 25999 26000 - 29599 29600 - 35299 35300 - 42799 42800 - 53299
number
1 - 999 1000 - 2399 2400 - 3799 3800 - 5199 5200 - 5699 5700 - 5999 6000 - 6299 6300 - 6496
Gatling Gun
please see under Gatling, Richard Jordan.