The first successful doubleaction revolver was the colt m1877, which was known by a variety of nonofficial monikers. Colt single action army peacemaker revolver sportsmans. It was found that the single action colt was more rugged and reliable than the adams revolver. Its design was patented by samuel colt on february 25, 1836, in the united states, france, and england, and it derived its name from being produced in paterson, new jersey.
Revolver stocks are usually narrower at the top so there is a tendency for the hand to ride up the frame during firing. Ed mcgiverns book of fast and fancy revolver shooting. The only really detailed gunsmithing and repair manual on these colt revolvers ever printed. In this video we shoot two classic revolvers of the mid20th century. The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and throughout the world until. Covers 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation colts, most italian reproductions plus, parts identification specific to. Colt double action revolvers modern local deals, national. Doubleaction revolvers quickly replaced the singleaction revolver for police and military after the success of the m1877. Appearancewise, this da is stunning but the photos, which seem to make every speck of dust appear as a blemish, hardly do this example justice. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Here is the complete story of colt s first large frame double action revolver, the model of 1878. Buy colts double action revolver, model of 1878 by don wilkerson isbn. Colt new pocket da revolver with low serial number this is a good example of an early production colt new pocket revolver with a low three digit serial number in the 900 range. After some experimentation, colt came out with a gun that would satisfy military requirements. Handguns of world war ii, the secondary pistols and revolvers charles pate colts double action revolver model of 1878 don wilkerson colt rifles. Book of pistols and revolvers, 7th edition, harrisburg, pa, stackpole books 1968. Both the single and double action can be used in a variety of situations, but they handle recoil differently. This book cuts through and dispels all myths about these superb revolver actions. Enter the serial number, without spaces or dashes, to search the database.
This design was so effective and strong, it became the standard for all double action designs that followed. The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and throughout the world. The heyday of the singleaction revolver is prior to the 1870s, before the invention and widespread popularity of the doubleaction revolver. Why all defensive revolvers should be double action only. A scarce antique starr double action navy percussion revolver. Bench edition 224 pages with plastic laminated soft cover. Colt double action revovers book cover the only really detailed gunsmithing and repair manual on these colt revolvers ever printed. This revolver was designed as the double action version of colts famed single action army revolver and shared much of its history. The colt double action revolvers a shop manual vol. Orders placed today ship within 24 hours of purchase excludes firearms.
More importantly, the police training of the prewwii era emphasized onehanded single action as the default technique. Most doubleaction revolvers may be fired in two ways. It is often referred to as the frontier or the double action army revolver. A study of colts new army and navy pattern double action. In 1836, samuel colt changed the face of warfare with the production of the first of a series of iconic and influential singleaction revolvers, including the. Debunks the myths surrounding the d, e and i frame python, old model trooper, detective special. However, in the type of fighting experienced in crimea, the slower thumbcocking method of the. It was the first commercial repeating firearm employing a revolving cylinder with multiple chambers aligned with a single, stationary barrel. The doubleaction gets its name from the fact that you can shoot it in two ways. Featuring a doubleaction and swingout cylinder, this sleek new revolver was chambered in a equally updated round, the. This revolver was designed as the double action version of colt s famed single action army revolver and shared much of its history. Colts double action revolver model of 1878 by wilkerson. If multiple models appear for your serial number simply match the date with the appropriate model, as certain vintage firearms can share serial numbers between different models. A doubleaction revolver requires only a trigger pull for each round that is fired but is not considered semiautomatic.
Revolvers loading rounds from a cylinder, a revolver is a multishot firearm, usually a handgun, in which multiple firing chambers are grouped into a cylinder which rotates to align each round sequentially with a single barrel. The colt double action revolvers a shop manual vol i. Heritage gun books colt double action revolvers repair. In 1889 colt introduced the worlds first double action, swingout cylinder revolver. Army and navy models and contracts, and other government organizations using these revolvers are all covered in this book. Details about the colt double action revolvers a shop manual vol. Python, detective special, official police, diamondback, agent, first model trooper, police. The best single action revolvers in cowboy action shooting. Colt model 1878 were manufactured in the following calibers. Fitzgerald, later a vocal proponent of double action, advised in 1920 in the colts police revolver handbook that double action shooting should be reserved for targets no more than 15 to 25 feet away. The model 1878 saw action on americas frontier and throughout the world until production ceased in 1905. Any guns above serial number 40300 are considered to be modern under the 1968 firearms laws. A doubleaction revolver can be shot in the same way, or by simply squeezing the trigger. Read the instructions, warnings and cautions in this manual carefully before using this firearm.
Movies serve as constant reminders of the role this equalizer played in winning the west. Place an order easy to use mail and fax order forms back to our catalog. Here is the complete story of colts first large frame double action revolver, the model of 1878. The first work of its kind, within these pages is a detailed look into colts development and production of the double action swing out cylinder new army and navy series revolvers. The colt single action army, also known as the single action army, saa, model p. The next double action revolver colt fielded was revolutionary. Buy colt double action revolvers for sale at auction. A shop manual by kuhnhausen, jerry and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Production started for this model in the year 1893 with 450 units manufactured that first year. For doubleaction, the first joint of the finger is ideal. Even when the doubleaction revolvers popularity was at its peak, the singleaction revolver was. A total of 51,210 model 1878 revolvers were manufactured from 1878 to 1907, including 4,600 for the us ordnance department.
Marked colt 1903 double action, 6 barrel, 6 shot serial number. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. I colt double action revovers book cover the only really detailed gunsmithing and repair manual on these colt revolvers ever printed. A shop manual, volumes 1 and 2 by jerry kuhnhausen 2 book set. For a singleaction revolver to work, the shooter has to cock the hammer first to fire each shot. Official colt gear colt double action revolvers manual. For british military use double action revolvers such as the webley new model express no.