Old SAA w/floating firing pin - part II
Just wanted to thank all the experts who did such a quick and thorough job answering my question. I think the last post pretty well sums it up, and it confirms my long-time suspicions. At present I'm not concerned about restoration, as for me and my heirs it isn't ruined - it is the way my father left it to us. I'll talk to them about it though. Also very interesting about the fella in Idaho and the history of this conversion.
No worries about attempts to shoot, and I understand the strength limitations.
Thanks!![:)][:)]
Wallypedal
No worries about attempts to shoot, and I understand the strength limitations.
Thanks!![:)][:)]
Wallypedal
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Wallypedal: Take a look at this Great Western revolver. The hammer looks a lot like yours. I wonder if it could have been done by the same company. 
Here's an article from Gun Digest: http://www.gundigest.com/collecting-the-first-colt-clone
An excerpt from the above link:
Except for some minor dimensional differences, the Great Western Standard Model, later called the Frontier Model, was the spirit and image of the Colt SAA in all major respects except one: its hammer. The Colt had a hammer-mounted firing pin, but the Great Western's firing pin was mounted on the frame. The design originated with Idaho gunsmith Herb Bradley in the 1930s and was subsequently refined by Christy Gun Works of Sacramento, Calif. According to Deubell, the first several hundred Great Western Frontiers used a genuine Colt SAA hammer with integral firing pin. After 1955, a Colt-style hammer was available as an option for an additional $8.
Your hammer:0 -
Hey Spider, thanks for the reply! The hammers do look a lot alike, but they almost have to look the same to keep the same exterior uncocked exposed profile - and still strike some kind of floating pin. I think mine may have been a Herb Bradley modification, but likely not done by GW. My father acquired the gun in 1940 or sooner and I don't think that company was in business then. We'll never know who did it I don't think, but it has been very educational to find out that a number of people were doing similar work back then. Curious as to why, but one reply hinted that it was one way of correcting a worn out hole in the frame - probably from lots of use, with eventually a problem with fired primers backing out excessively. The only other reason I can think of is to speed up lock time by reducing hammer weight.
Wallypedal0 -
Wally, a very interesting and nice heirloom old Colt. If you read the old Gun Digests and American Rifleman magazines, you will find that there were many modifications done to the Colt Single Action during the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Another reason that comes to mind is, if it is a rebounding firing pin (like the .45 1911 auto) it would allow safely carrying six rounds. That would have been important to a law enforcement officer. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by wallypedal
Hey Spider, thanks for the reply! The hammers do look a lot alike, but they almost have to look the same to keep the same exterior uncocked exposed profile - and still strike some kind of floating pin. I think mine may have been a Herb Bradley modification, but likely not done by GW. My father acquired the gun in 1940 or sooner and I don't think that company was in business then. We'll never know who did it I don't think, but it has been very educational to find out that a number of people were doing similar work back then. Curious as to why, but one reply hinted that it was one way of correcting a worn out hole in the frame - probably from lots of use, with eventually a problem with fired primers backing out excessively. The only other reason I can think of is to speed up lock time by reducing hammer weight.
Wallypedal
You're welcome! I saw that article in the Gunbroker newsletter and immediately saw the resemblance to yours. It may have been a Herb Bradley conversion after all.0
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