Hi all,
This is only my second post here on the site, normally I just lurk. However, now I have a question I'm hoping someone can assist in answering.
Recently, a relative came into possession of a Colt Model 1892 (Maybe 1896?) .38 revolver. It is a .38 long Colt. It's interesting, and the frame/cylinder/grips are in VERY good shape and probably about 98% of the original bluing. The cylinder is very long and will chamber and cycle a .357 WHICH OF COURSE WOULD BE INSANE TO TRY AND SHOOT OUT IT! (Just heading off the comments in advance that would state the same.) I mention the long cylinder because after some research I discovered that people commonly would shoot .38 special rounds out of these old guns and crack the barrels, which apparently happened to this gun, because someone replaced the barrel with a parkerized Colt Commando .38 Special barrel. It was obviously a hack job, and looks like crap.
I've scoured the different parts sites found here on the forum, and have only found one original barrel, but it is badly pitted, has almost no bluing, and very little rifling. So...my question to you, the brain trust, is WHO in Oregon is a skilled Colt revolver blacksmith? I'm figuring a real Colt guy might have a line on something original to the gun, or may have an idea on modifying a .38 special barrel that is a little more age appropriate to the gun. The Model 1896 was from the early 1900's, and from pictures I've seen the Colt Special Army .38's barrels from the 20's which can be easily found, the barrels look nearly identical. Potentially, a skilled Colt expert could make one of those work. And while it wouldn't be "original" to the gun, it would be much closer.
Thank you to anyone with any ideas, or recommendations,
Bill
This is only my second post here on the site, normally I just lurk. However, now I have a question I'm hoping someone can assist in answering.
Recently, a relative came into possession of a Colt Model 1892 (Maybe 1896?) .38 revolver. It is a .38 long Colt. It's interesting, and the frame/cylinder/grips are in VERY good shape and probably about 98% of the original bluing. The cylinder is very long and will chamber and cycle a .357 WHICH OF COURSE WOULD BE INSANE TO TRY AND SHOOT OUT IT! (Just heading off the comments in advance that would state the same.) I mention the long cylinder because after some research I discovered that people commonly would shoot .38 special rounds out of these old guns and crack the barrels, which apparently happened to this gun, because someone replaced the barrel with a parkerized Colt Commando .38 Special barrel. It was obviously a hack job, and looks like crap.
I've scoured the different parts sites found here on the forum, and have only found one original barrel, but it is badly pitted, has almost no bluing, and very little rifling. So...my question to you, the brain trust, is WHO in Oregon is a skilled Colt revolver blacksmith? I'm figuring a real Colt guy might have a line on something original to the gun, or may have an idea on modifying a .38 special barrel that is a little more age appropriate to the gun. The Model 1896 was from the early 1900's, and from pictures I've seen the Colt Special Army .38's barrels from the 20's which can be easily found, the barrels look nearly identical. Potentially, a skilled Colt expert could make one of those work. And while it wouldn't be "original" to the gun, it would be much closer.
Thank you to anyone with any ideas, or recommendations,
Bill