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M1851 Navy Colt C&B Revolvers
This is a pair of reproduction (Pietta) 1851 Navy Colt .36 cal. single action cap & ball revolvers that I use for Cowboy matches. Both have had action jobs by Floyd Hansen in Rockford, IL. Floyd recut the forcing cones to Colt specifications, replaced the main springs with his own hand made matched springs, and improved the timing.
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Cimmarron Thunderer
This is a custom nickel-plated New Thunderer chambered in .45 Colt. It was made for Cimmarron Firearms Company by Uberti and has a 3-3/4 inch barrel with Ivorex grips. I also use this for Cowboy matches.
Sold on consignment at a local shop in 2009.
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Ruger Vaquero SA Revolvers
This is a pair of Vaquaro revolvers chambered in .45 Long Colt. Ruger designed these to give the appearance of an M1873 Single Action Army Colt, but for a fraction of the cost. These are in polished stainless steel and have Ajax Ivorex grips. I also use these for Cowboy matches.
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H&R Hammerless and American Revolvers
The two Hammerless models were manufactured in the 1930s. They are 5-shot, top-break double action revolvers chambered in .38 S&W. These "pocket pistols" were reportedly used by women couriers during WWII because they fit easily in a purse.
The third revolver with an exposed hammer is marked "The American Double Action" on the top of the frame. This also is a 5-shot chambered in .38 S&W.
Though in good condition, none of them are particularly accurate beyond 15 feet.
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M1895 Colt New Navy DAs
This is a grouping of civilian Colt New Navy double action revolvers. The revolver in the upper left is chambered in .41 Long Colt, which is obsolete. The other three are chambered in .38 Long Colt (also obsolete).
During the Spanish-American War, Col. Theodore Roosevelt carried a .38 caliber Colt New Navy revolver that was salvaged by this brother-in-law from the wreck of the U.S.S. Maine. TR later complained to the War Department that the cartridge was under-powered and would not stop a charging enemy combatant. Eventually, the military developed the .38 S&W Special cartridge and briefly returned to the .45 Long Colt in large frame models, such as the Model of 1909 and Model of 1917.
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M1901 and M1903 Colt New Army DAs
The top two revolvers are M1901 Colt New Army double action revolvers chambered in .38 Long Colt. Unlike the civilian New Navy models, the grips are of smooth Walnut and the butts retain the military designation "U.S. Army Model 1901" along with their lanyard rings.
The revolver on the bottom is an M1903 (the next variation in design) and is dated 1904. Someone has added a larger front sight and dovetailed a small rear sight in the top strap of the frame. Of all the New Navy and New Army models, this one is the most accurate. These sights, though not correct, greatly improve its use as a target pistol.
"I'm trying to find out where I may buy some ammo for ..."
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.38 Long Colt Ammunition
These are orignal 50-round boxes of .38 Long Colt ammunition from the 1970s. They were probably manufactured at or close to the end of production. Only a few companies make brass with the correct head-stamp for hand loading.
The last mass production of these cartridges by Winchester and Remington ended in the early 1970s and is occasionally available through cartridge collectors. With the emergence of Cowboy Action matches, the cartridge is now being produced in small quantities. These days, the only manufacturer of this obsolete cartridge is Black Hills Ammunition. However, custom private label .38 LC ammo is available from small companies that cater to the Cowboy Action sport (like Ken's Ten-X Ammunition). Also, the cases can be bought from Starline Brass and hand loaded.
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M1917 Colt U.S. Army DA
This M1917 Colt U.S. Army double action revolver was manufactured in January of 1920 is chambered for .45 Long Colt cartridges and referred to as a "Piece Parts Model". It had been refinished, the lanyard ring removed, and the hole plugged. The lanyard ring has been restored with an exact reproduction along with a reproduction US Army lanyard. The butt is marked: U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917 with the government number removed. The barrel and cylinder were inspected by Frank L. Hosmer (H) and the left side of the frame showing John M. Gilbert (JMG) as the final inspector. The grip frame is stamped "G" for Government contract order with the factory serial number intact on the frame under the yoke.
R.L. Wilson's "Colt: An American Legend" (p 214) states that the M1909 and M1917 are subtypes of the New Service model. "Some basic New Service patterns classified by collectors are the Old Model, Old Model Target, Improved Model, Improved Model Target, Model 1909 U.S. Army and U...
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M1927 Argentine Airforce Sistema Colt
The M1927 Sistema Colt is a variation of the M1911 and is chambered in .45 ACP. The Argentine government contracted with Colt to make an initial batch and later obtained the rights to manufacture the model in Argentina. This M1927 was manufactured in 1951 (the year I was born), but not put into service with the Argentine Airforce until 1952. It has been arsenal refinished. The slide and frame have matching serial numbers, but it does not retain the original barrel or magazine clip.
"Nice"
"Nice"
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Military & Police S&W with Spanish Copies
The top two revolvers are early Spanish copies of the Smith & Wesson Military and Police revolver. They were manufactured at the turn of the 20th century and are chambered, interestingly enough, in .38 Long Colt (not .38 S&W). They retain almost no markings, just chambering and serial numbers.
The revolver on the bottom is an actual Smith & Wesson Military and Police model chambered in .38 S&W Special. It most likely belonged to a policeman or security guard due to the finish wear on the end of the barrel and behind the hammer. All three have original checkered wood grips.
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WWII Victory S&Ws
These are WWII era Smith & Wesson Victory model revolvers from the Lend-Lease program and are stamped "U.S. Property" on the top of the frame. The serial numbers have a "V" prefix. All three are chambered in .38 S&W (not to be confused with .38 S&W Special, which is a different cartridge). The revolver on the top retains New Zealand Defense Department proof markings and has its original Parkerized finish. The second revolver retains Australian Defense Department proof markings and appears to have been arsenal refinished, but not reissued. It is in excellent condition. The revolver on the bottom has a plain gray finish and must have been issued for use in the U.S. It has an old surplus marking of "VAM Dist. Co. Wooster, OH" on the right side of the frame under the cylinder. All three are extremely accurate and easy to shoot.
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WWII Webley with Lanyard
This is a WWII era British Webley top-break double action revolver chambered in .38/200 (the British designation for .38 S&W cartridge with a 200 gr. bullet). This one has a War Finish and an unissued lanyard.
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M1895 Russian Nagant Revolvers
This is a pair of WWII era Russian Nagant 7-shot, single action only, gas-seal revolvers chambered in the unique 7.62mm Nagant Revolver cartridge. New ammunition is still available through Fiocci. Occasionally, new surplus Russian "sporting" ammunition appears through C&R distributors.
The revolver on the top was manufactured in the Izhevsk arsenal in 1944. The revolver on the bottom was manufactured in the Tula arsenal in 1942. Both have been arsenal refinished and given new bakelite grips (as indicated by the "I" in a box beneath the year stamp). Both have numerous proof marks and their serial numbers have prefixes comprised of Cyrillic letters.
It is likely that these were used for training purposes only, since the vast majority of Nagant revolvers were double action.
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Cowboy Gun Leather
From the top down:
1 Large New Triple K Belt Medium Brown – .45 cal. with 25 Loops (sold).
1 Medium Used Hunter Belt Medium Brown – .45 cal. with 25 Loops.
1 Medium New Triple K Belt Dark Brown – .45 cal. with 20 Loops (still has tag).
1 Used Hunter Cross-Draw Holster 5-in. Large Cal. (sold).
1 Used Hunter Double-Loop Holster 6-in. Large Cal.
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Iver Johnson Safety Automatic Hammer 3rd Model
This Iver Johnson Safety Automatic Hammer 3rd Model in .38 Smith & Wesson was manufactured from 1909 to 1941. The 3rd model was similar to the 2nd model (1896-1908) except that it has a coil spring instead of a flat spring, and the cylinder does not spin freely when the action is closed and locked. This has the letter "O" preceding the serial number on the frame under the grips. The left grip has the last two digits of the serial number scribed on the inside. The third model was designed to withstand smokeless powder pressures. The top of the 5-inch barrel bares the maker's mark as: IVER JOHNSON ARMS & CYCLE WORKS FITCHBURG, MASS. U.S.A.
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