Is this a Colt Storekeeper? 2nd Thread
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/cmj396/Colt%20Shopkeeper/
Here is a link for more pics. What do you see from the pictures?
Here is a link for more pics. What do you see from the pictures?
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Here are my further observations, from what I can tell, this appears to be a Colt frame; I think I can see the remainder of the three line patent date on the frame with the last line ending in "75" in picture 9. The trigger isn't original, but the hammer appears to be and of the correct style for the period.
Also, from what I can tell from the right side of the frame, picture 15, the contour of the forward frame area where the ejector rod housing would normally be is wrong for a real and early ejector-less model Single Action. The earliest known ejector-less models actually had more of a step in that area rather than the rounding you see.
The barrel is a later barrel and has been cut from what I can tell. If you can provide a picture of what is left of the address marking on top of the barrel I can have a better idea of what might have happened.
Can you provide a picture of the forward bottom area of the frame that shows both the frame and trigger guard serial numbers clearly?
There's too much space around the base pin in picture 20; there should be no visible space.
Going by the serial number alone, like I said in the original thread; it's just too early for either an ejector-less model (Sheriff's Model) or a Target Model. A Colt letter will tell you for sure; but I don't see anything that suggests it is original.
I'll look at the pictures some more and make other comments if warranted.0 -
Your pics really help and I hope you will post additional ones as requested by Old Colts, particularly the top of the barrel. I also see the remnants of the "75" on the frame. However, as you can see, you will get a variety of opinions on your Colt and that's pretty much all you will ever get without factory documentation. I think we all agree that it has been reworked but I'm most curious about the flattop frame which precedes the known serial range for such frame types. The only way you're going to know for certain as to how your Colt originated and its original configuration is by a Colt factory letter. If it was mine, I would send for one if only to satisfy my own curiosity.
If and when you get the letter, please post a picture of it in this forum for the education of us all!0 -
Does this help? 0 -
Thank you for that picture. In it you can see the barrel index mark and the end of the one line address stamp that would have appeared on a 5 1/2 and a 7 1/2 inch barrel. So, in my opinion, an original Colt barrel of one of those lengths from the post 130,000 to 135,000 serial number range was cut from the muzzle end, a post sight attached and dressed to match the barrel, and then screwed into this frame. The flat muzzle also supports this observation.
It would still be nice to have a good, clear, high resolution picture of the forward bottom of the frame that shows both frame and trigger guard serial numbers. That would help us determine if the frame has been re-stamped with a serial number.
It is my opinion that the frame has been reworked into a Target Model Sheriff's Model; a novelty configuration that I don't think was ever produced since one contradicts the other; the two configurations just don't go together.
Once again, a letter would confirm the original as shipped configuration of the Colt Single Action with that particular frame serial number.0 -
Ordered a Colt letter...
Here are the pictures you had asked about, I hope these help.
If you need pictures of anything else let me know please.
Thank you so much for all your info.
I will post the Colt letter when it comes. Probably 3 months knowing Colt.0 -
The most curious part is the flat top frame, but in the partial pics of the top strap it appears much cleaner than adjacent areas, with no surface pitting at all, and I can also imagine faint lines where it might have been built up.
The other thing is that forward end of the cylinder appears to have been machined off, with no sign of the black powder pitting you'd normally find.0 -
Don't know if it helps but here are several more pictures... 0 -
I once saw a picture of an extractorless flattop target.
The barrel was longer, probably 7.5" but shows the configuration was not unknown. Now you just have the serial number range problem.0 -
Just food for thought, if you paid $50 more ($150 instead of $100) you would receive the configuration information the same or next day instead of waiting 3-4 months.
Thank you for the picture of the bottom of the frame; I saw what I needed to see. From what I can tell, in my opinion, looking at the stamped serial numbers, this is probably an original frame with original serial number application, not a re-stamped frame.
There seems to be discoloration around the front sight base and several places on the frame that might be residual from the rework of the frame to a flattop and ejector less configuration.
Since we know that the barrel with its left side caliber stamp is much later than the serial number of the frame, the only way it could be original is if the 1881 frame wasn't assembled into a complete gun until after 1889; then you still have the problem of a frame configuration that according to all references didn't exist until several years later. Then you have the one line barrel address; that would mean that a 5 1/2 or 7 1/2 inch barrel had to be cut down by Colt and since some of that address would be eliminated by the shortening and adding a sight; it just doesn't seem realistic that Colt would do that kind of work!!
With any of these old guns it is usually foolish to say never, but with all of the configuration inconsistences and given a configuration that doesn't make a lot of sense; I just don't see this gun being original in any way, shape, or form; now that I've put that in type, just watch it letter. [:D]
I will say this, in my opinion, while I don't believe it is original, whoever did the frame work did a nice job.
Looking forward to seeing the letter!!!!0
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