.36 Cal Colt Navy - Was this actually made by Colt?

[Hatchet-Jack]

I bought this pistol from a Gunsmith years ago. I've always assumed this was one of Colt's special editions but it's most likely made by Pietta or another Italian maker. Does anyone know the details on this model? Is it considered to be a quality piece?

 

[Phil Coffins]

It’s a copy of the London Colt as produced in England. This one is of modern making starting with imported parts and sold by Colt.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

It’s a copy of the London Colt as produced in England. This one is of modern making starting with imported parts and sold by Colt.

Thank you!

 

[desi23]

Colt "signature series"........... Used Italian made parts, fitted and finished in the US by the Colt Blackpowder Arms Co. A separate company from Colt Industries it was owned by Lou Imperato who had previously been involved with production of the "C" series (made in the Colt factory) and the "F" series made in Imperatos factory to be sold by Colt. They are generally considered a legit Colt due to the licensing that allowed Imperato to use the Colt name on them but since they never actually went through the Colt factory they cannot be factory lettered like the "C" and "F" series guns.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Colt "signature series"........... Used Italian made parts, fitted and finished in the US by the Colt Blackpowder Arms Co. A separate company from Colt Industries it was owned by Lou Imperato who had previously been involved with production of the "C" series (made in the Colt factory) and the "F" series made in Imperatos factory to be sold by Colt. They are generally considered a legit Colt due to the licensing that allowed Imperato to use the Colt name on them but since they never actually went through the Colt factory they cannot be factory lettered like the "C" and "F" series guns.

Thanks that is very interesting that Colt allowed them to use the Colt name on them. I'll have to do some searching to see if I can find any of the original literature and marketing adds.

 

[Zonie]

According to the "Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values", all of the parts on the Signature series were machined by the authorized, "Colt Blackpowder Arms Company" in the U.S.A. They do not contain parts that were machined in Italy.

Quoting the book, Uberti supplied the raw, unmachined castings for the parts.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Yes it is a genuine Colt London model repro. Congrats!

 

[Kozmo]

If this was intended to represent a London made Colt, Why didn't they include the London address on the barrel flat?

 

[B P Arn]

If it is supposed to represent a London made gun, shouldn't it have a steel trigger guard and back strap? Jest axin'.

 

[Zonie]

Looks like a regular Colt 1851 Navy to me.

A London made gun would be stamped with a London address and it would have steel trigger guard and backstrap.
Almost all (if not all) of the Colt Navy size pistols made in London had round trigger guards. There were a few squareback triggerguard Navy's sent to England for sale before the actual Colt factory was up and running.