ID'ing Second Generation Colts

How can you tell if a second generation Colt revolver is real. Don't they have papers or special markings on them that ID them as authentic? A guy has two for sale but the price seems too low. Thanks for your input in advance. Maybe some pics to help.

I thought the "Signature Series" were the second generation. or were they third gen?

I dont know much about them, but I seem to remember the term Signature Series. Just been too long ago

Signature series, was 3rd. Not considered as valuable as 2nd.

2nd Gen. Colts are marked made by Colt in N.Y.

Also there are charts that give serial numbers, for that particular area of production. No Italian markings.

Some Italian manufactories hid the markings under the ram rod.

Important to ID'ing the Second Generation Colts is knowledge, having the serial number ranges and looking at lots of them.

2nd Generation Colts have the Colt barrel address, most models have rolled cylinder engraving (1862 Police does not), Colt's Patent marked on the left frame side (Walker does not have Colt' Patent) and serial numbers on all major components including the wedge.

Good pictures on auction sites will give you some knowledge. If you can post pictures of the two for sale we can tell you if they are Colts. Need good close up pictures including markings.

The soft cover book " Colt Blackpowder Reproductions & Replicas" by Dennis Adler has very good information and excellent pictures of 2nd Generation Colts. Might be able to borrow it on an inter-library loan. Dennis Adler had a very good article on the Colts in Guns & Ammo magazine some years ago but it has disappeared from the inter-net last I looked.

Quite a bit posted here on MLF in the past. Following are some thread links and some threads have good pictures:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...299652/post/1565722/hl//fromsearch/1/#1565722
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...290407/post/1425430/hl//fromsearch/1/#1425430
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...286801/post/1370588/hl//fromsearch/1/#1370588

Again, post pictures of the two for sale if you can.

THE book on 2nd and 3rd gen Colt percussion revolvers:
PERCUSSION COLT REVOLVERS
THE SECOND GENERATION
COLLECTOR'S HANDBOOK & PRICE GUIDE
BY DENNIS RUSSELL
The book is self published and available from
Dennis Russell, c/o Jared Press, 3162 Johnson Ferry Rd, Suite 260 - 607, Marietta, GA 30062
Long Johns Wolf

Thanks for all the info guys. I will be seeing them this afternoon. Needed some info beforehand to be sure the were not Pietta or some other manufacturer with the markings removed. This should help. I will post the results later, thanks again.

Weren't they first called reissue Colts and their serial numbers picked up where the original models left off?

Correct, Fistmil.
If they happen to be 3rd gens they should have the Sam Colt signature on the backstrap.
Long Johns Wolf