Chapter 1.6.4.1 – 3-Screw Frame Uberti Colt 1861 Miniatures

Two views of a pair of period correct Colt 1861 miniatures in cowboy quality (from top): note "round" recoils shields of #MP14 and #PM324

Four views of #MP14: U.S. 1.00 $ coin added for size comparison; note New-York address top of the barrel marking with cylinder legend ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843 on 1st close-up, 2nd close-up shows details of the knurling of hammer spur, 3rd close-up features PATENT N^o and ORMSBY address between naval engagement scene's ends of the cylinder, COLT'S PATENT in two lines on forward left side of the frame, 36 CAL on left shoulder of steel triggerguard

Two views of miniature #PM324: U.S. 1.00 $ coin added for size comparison; on close-up note markings MODEL 1861 NAVY on left side of barre lug, cylinder with PATENT N^o and ORMSBY address between naval engagement scene's ends, 36 CAL on left shoulder of steel triggerguard

1.6.4.1.2 Fantasy miniatures of 3-screw frame Colt 1861 Navy pattern: I am pretty certain that Aldo Uberti knew the original 19^th century Colt percussion revolvers inside out. Actually, his entry into the replica industry in 1959 with partner Vittorio Gregorelli was with replications of steel frame Colt 1851 Navies and their Confederate States counterparts Griswold & Gunnisons with Colt 1851 Navy pattern brass frames. 

Their U.S. partner Navy Arms arranged their import and successful launch in due time before the centennial festivities of the Civil War of 1861 to 1865. 

As initiates will confirm Colt 1851 and 1861 Navies share the same type of steel frame.

Two views of a consecutively numbered pair of Colt 1861 miniatures in cowboy quality (from top): #320 and #321 share the fantasy notches of the recoils shields but also the historically correct 36 CAL stamped on left shoulder of the triggerguards

We believe Uberti was well aware that Colt 1861 Navies with 3-screw frames and cuts in the recoil shield to attach a shoulder stock were never assembled at the Hartford factory of the 1860s and early 1870s. But that is exactly what he did with the miniature variants we are sharing with you here.

And he did not stop there. When you scroll down you can take a close look at another irregular feature, a Colt 1861 miniature fitted with a squareback trigger guard, something never happened in the Hartford of yesteryear.

Colt 1861 Navy miniature #320 displayed with a U.S. 1.00 $ coin for size comparison

Twin Colt 1861 Navy miniature #321 displayed with a U.S. 1.00 $ coin for size comparison: Note nicely grained grips

Why were these strange Colt 1861 Navy variants added to his assortment of miniature revolvers when at the same time Uberti did not produce the full size replicas with these features? 

Why did he make them en miniature only?

In line with Samuel Colt's policy never to waste any inventories of parts this is considered good housekeeping. To the collectors it means a source of rare and sought-after variants today. 

Two views of nicely embellished Colt 1861 Navy miniatures with irregular features (top down): engraved #PM290 with fantasy notches in the recoil shield, fire blued #PM1781 fitted with a period correct brass grip frame assembly but a fantasy squareback triggerguard 

The way I see it Aldo Uberti in Gardone applied Sam Colt's Hartford no-waste principles to his stock management program in Gardone. Looking at it from that angle it is my considered opinion that 3-screw frames with notches in the recoil shields are left-overs from the 4-screw frames fabricated for the making of miniatures of Colt 1851 London Navies and Colt 1861 Navies with shoulder stocks.

Likewise the brass squareback triggerguards found fitted to Colt 1861 Navy miniatures are left-overs from the early model Colt 1851 Navy project.

What do you think?

Five Impressions of beauty #PM290: displayed with one U.S. $ coin added for size comparison. Note deep engraving art, nickel plating and ivory one-piece grip; engraving of right (1^st close-up) and left side (2nd close-up) with cylinder roll-engraved with Ormsby naval engagement scene, PATENT N^o 290 and Ormsby address line between the scene's ends; two line COLT'S PATENT stamp on frame and 36 CAL on shoulder of triggerguard; top of the barrel marking NEW-YORK address (3^rd close-up) and knurling of hammer spur; 4^th close-up features details of engraving on rear side of recoil shield and backstrap

Three impressions of fantasy Colt 1861 miniature beauty #PM1781 displayed with one U.S. $ coin for size comparison: Period correct 3-screw frame with round recoil shield is combined with an irregular squareback triggerguard. Nice fire blued barrel, cylinder and frame, hammer and loading lever assembly case colors, polished brass of triggerguard and backstrap. Note marking on left side of barrel lug reading MODEL 1861 NAVY

Another exceptionally attractive fantasy pistol #PM224: notches in the recoil shield are fantasy and unheard of, toe on butt, engraved with gold inlays, fire blued barrel, cylinder, backstrap and triggerguard, frame, hammer and loading press case colors, one-piece mother of pearl imitation grips with Colt emblem "prestige" grade embellishment 

Incidentally. three (3) out of six (6) Colt 1961 3-screw frame miniatures presented on this page above are fitted with triggerguards with a toe on the buttstrap. Triggerguards found with toes are steel made. Assumingly they are left-overs from the Uberti Colt 1851 4-screw frame London Navy and the 1861 4-screw Navy miniature program.

Butt view of six Colt 1861 Navy 3-screw frame miniatures displayed on 1^st gen. Colt 1861 pages of the Colt Bible THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS THIRD EDITION (from left): #PM324 toe on butt, #321 toe on butt, #MP14 no toe on butt, #320 toe on butt, #PM290 no toe on butt, #PM1781 no toe on butt

Close-up of above picture featuring (from left) #PM324 and #321: Note toes on butt

October 9, 2019/WDN

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