GreyWhiskers
69 Cal.
I picked up a Pietta 1860 Army, unfired. Seems to be in perfect mechanical shape. I'd like to re-finish the metal to look older and used. Any ideas? GW
Deadeye said:If only it could talk, Deadeye
Lon, according to Serven's book "Colt Firearms (from 1836)", there were 2 types of cylinders- round and full-fluted. The round cylinders were roll engraved with a ship scene like the '51 Navies. However, my original '60 does not have that scene on the cylinder, at least that I can see using magnification. The patent date is clearly seen so I would think if the scene were there it would be visible also. Kinda shows something about generalities...Grey Whiskers said:Deadeye said:If only it could talk, Deadeye
That's for sure. Great gun! Thanks for the pic.
BTW- Did the original 1860 Armys have engraved cylinders? GW
Yeah Zonie, you are most likely right. Serven says "The round cylinder is roll-engraved with a ship scene similar to that on Navy pistols". I've tried to see a scene on my '60 ever since I got it, to no avail. It isn't corroded but it is a brown gun and brown does tend to hide surface marks. It's in otherwise good condition, all matching numbers.Zonie said:Everything I've ever read on the subject says that all of the Colt round cylinder guns were roll engraved with a scene appropriate to the model.
Because the roll engraving is not deep it doesn't take much to wear or corrode it off.
150 years of handling can easily explain why the engraving is no longer visible.
Colt used the roll engraved scenes so the owners would know they had a "real" Colt pistol.
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