Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

[pipthelimey]

Several years back, Colt manufactured several weapons in their "Signature Series" which were great (and highly priced) re-issues of many of their Civil War time framed weapons. I stumbled across a used one for a good deal and picked it up and was wondering if anyone had an original Colt made Springfield and would be willing to post a few pictures so I could contrast/compare and see what work needs to be done. I have been looking online for pictures and haven't come up with much. I'm especially interested in seeing the lock, the opposite side of the lock, any stock stamps, and the rear sight. Your help is much appreciated. I will try and post pictures of the new rifle as soon as I can.

Kind Regards,
Andrew Jerram

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

For online pics, I would try:

https://www.ha.com

Rock Island Auctions
James D. Julia Auctions

These have been discussed before, but there aren't any threads really "dedicated" to the Colt Signature Series muskets.
Here's a thread on US "'61's" in general

In general, issues to be corrected include:
- That doggone signature!
- Anemic hammer that could be replaced with an orginal.
- Rivet the sling swivels
- General "Xth Generation Xerox Copy" issues that are common among repro muskets.

I don't think a Colt (or Chattahoochie BPA) repro SM 1861 will ever be a "replica", but you can correct some basic issues and end up with a good representation, depending upon the severity of one's OCD. ;)

[Blair]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

John,

That is probably the kindest rendition of the current "signature series" of Colt Special Models I think I have heard!

[KPavia]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

I also have one of the Colt special model repros and pics of a few originals for comparison and they are nearly identical. I'll send them to you in an email.
The only problem for me, besides the signature on the bottom of the triggerguard, is that the lock is dated 1861 when apparently the earliest the Colt special models were dated was 1862. I'm hesitant to get it changed to 1862 because of the whole "collector's piece" feel to it but since I will never sell it, it makes more sense to fix it for my own tastes.
Other than that, I'm happy with it and it shoots great.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

That is probably the kindest rendition of the current "signature series" of Colt Special Models I think I have heard!

'Tis the season for kindness, I guess. ;)

I tried to keep it in the spirit of Curt's "Your mileage may vary" with my comment on OCD. My OCD is an extreme case, considered by several experts to be incurable. Such being the case, Colt's "Colt" just won't work for me.

Happy New Year

[Blair]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

John,

The Colt's "Colt Specials" in any variant, simply don't work for me either.

You too have a Happy New Year

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

Hallo!

Yup, and nope fo rme too. (Hasd two, and sold them off.)

Herr Blair probably remembers the story better than I, but originally, the first production prototypes were made by an N-SSA lad. For a number of reasons at the time, notably higher costs and lack of demand, it died on the vine.

Somewhat later, IMHO, likely for the costs and increased profitability, Colt revisited it and added the (Italian made) SM1861 to their Signature Line.

Sometime after, they (the three versions of the SM1861) "resurfaced' as Italian versions sold by Chatthoochie and somebody else (who went out of business).

Curt

[Blair]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

Curt,

You are correct.
The explanation is almost to complex to keep it all simple.
Pre 1983/4 examples of the Colt Specials were indeed being sponsored by Colt, and they were trying to make all of them in America. This failed, due to economics of the time period.
What has derived from this effort is the Italian made Chatthoochie Arms Co. equivelent, known as the Colt Signature Series.
Remember, Buying a "Colt" does not mean you are buying an actual Colt or the original Colt quality.
Just a word of warning on my part, be happy with what you buy.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

Guess what it actually is? An Armi Sport US 1863 (910.026 in the A-C catalog) with a few cosmetic changes.
The lock parts actually interchange with the Armi Sport Enfield. In case you were wondering who made it
for Colt Blackpowder, which is not really part of Colt firearms either.

It is representative of Armi Chiappa (Armi Sport) products, and neither better or worse. They sell for a premium
price though. If you got a good price on it, that's you what have. An Armi Sport product.

[KPavia]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

Either way, Colt slapping its name on it makes it a colt just like all those nike shoes made in China or new balance shoes made in Vietnam.

Is anyone going to actually answer the point of the thread or is this just a get off topic colt bash? With all due respect to people here, the guy asked for pictures of originals, not for an continueous identical explanations on the modern repros of "colt special models."

[Blair]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

Good Point Kenny.
Let me suggest buying "The Rifled Musket" by Claud E. Fuller.
There are close up Photos of all three Colt type variances in both production models along with '61's and '63's.
It is actually amazing what one can glean from these antiquated, out of date, obsolete books.

[pipthelimey]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

Everyone,
I'm no newbie here, so any and all criticism/thoughts are fine. I got the gun for dirt cheap, and if nothing else, it will be a fun project to overhaul. It's missing the box and the accessories that came with it, but it's never been fired and I got it for $300 in store credit at the gun store I work at for fun on weekends, so I'm not exactly emotionally invested in it. Kenny, thank you for the pictures you've offered to send, and John, thanks for the specifics to look for. My issue is I've spent 20 years looking at original Enfields and not much time looking at Springfields. (I'm originally from England and strongly biased...)

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

Hallo!

Thank you Moderator Pavia.

IMHO, there is added value in information and discussions beyond the narrow intent of the original question for any or all AC members to glean.

Curt

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

You shall find pics here:

http://historical.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=6034&Lot_No=52704

Enjoy!

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Colt's Model Springfield Rifle

More pics:

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/51/lid/1346

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/51/lid/1317

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/51/lid/1341