Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? - The Firearms Forum

Tizz · 01-04-2011, 09:55 PM

Don't know much about this gun. It's smaller, .38 CAL, serial number is 88xx. One guy told us it was possibly a Mexican copy. Here are the images:

RJay · 01-04-2011, 11:30 PM

What markings are on the barrel?

Tizz · 01-05-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay

What markings are on the barrel?

On top of the barrel it says Colt's MFG, Hartford, CT USA

RJay · 01-05-2011, 02:54 PM

Thhis posting is just to move your post back to the top

Goody · 01-05-2011, 04:17 PM

Well, as someone has said, it is not a Colt. I suppose that someone may have put a Colt barrel and some other Colt parts on. The way the trigger guard is made and attaches is all wrong for a SAA Colt. A Colt has a trigger guard that is one piece all the way down to the base of the gripframe. It appears as though the gripframe is integral with the frame on this model.

What does the stamping say on the right side of the frame, just in front and above the trigger?

hrf · 01-05-2011, 05:03 PM

I'll vote for the "Mexican Colt" identity, as many Colt SAA imitations were imported to Mexico from Spain. An article in the Oct 1989 Gun Report: "Colt Single Action Army Copies Used in Mexico" shows one similar to yours with that Remington type trigger guard. Many also had lanyard rings.

Above will have no proof marks, as proof testing was not mandatory in Spain until 1923...

45Auto · 01-05-2011, 05:19 PM

Over the years I have seen several of these, too many to have been made in Mexico. For this reason, I think they were made in Spain. Every one of these fake Colt revolvers, like yours, that I have seen show evidence of years of long hard use and many repairs. The last one I can remember was chambered for 38.40 Winchester. Is that what your revolver is chambered for?

Jim K · 01-05-2011, 06:29 PM

If those are the exact markings on the barrel, they are counterfeit. Colt used several markings, but never that exact wording.

I agree on the Spanish source. Spanish counterfeits were one reason S&W took the step of putting MARCAS REGISTRADAS (Registered trade marks) in Spanish on its revolvers so Latin American buyers would know the markings were trademarks of S&W and they were counterfeit if used on any other make of gun.

Jim

01-04-2011, 09:55 PM	#1
Tizz Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 25	Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? Don't know much about this gun. It's smaller, .38 CAL, serial number is 88xx. One guy told us it was possibly a Mexican copy. Here are the images: Attached Images --> Last edited by Tizz; 01-04-2011 at 10:02 PM..

01-04-2011, 11:30 PM	#2
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,485	Re: Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? What markings are on the barrel? __________________ RonJames

01-05-2011, 02:54 PM	#4
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,485	Re: Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? Thhis posting is just to move your post back to the top __________________ RonJames

01-05-2011, 04:17 PM	#5
Goody V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 333	Re: Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? Well, as someone has said, it is not a Colt. I suppose that someone may have put a Colt barrel and some other Colt parts on. The way the trigger guard is made and attaches is all wrong for a SAA Colt. A Colt has a trigger guard that is one piece all the way down to the base of the gripframe. It appears as though the gripframe is integral with the frame on this model. What does the stamping say on the right side of the frame, just in front and above the trigger?

01-05-2011, 05:03 PM	#6
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,276	Re: Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? I'll vote for the "Mexican Colt" identity, as many Colt SAA imitations were imported to Mexico from Spain. An article in the Oct 1989 Gun Report: "Colt Single Action Army Copies Used in Mexico" shows one similar to yours with that Remington type trigger guard. Many also had lanyard rings. Above will have no proof marks, as proof testing was not mandatory in Spain until 1923... Last edited by hrf; 01-05-2011 at 05:21 PM..

01-05-2011, 05:19 PM	#7
45Auto Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,116	Re: Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? Over the years I have seen several of these, too many to have been made in Mexico. For this reason, I think they were made in Spain. Every one of these fake Colt revolvers, like yours, that I have seen show evidence of years of long hard use and many repairs. The last one I can remember was chambered for 38.40 Winchester. Is that what your revolver is chambered for?

01-05-2011, 06:29 PM	#8
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Old Colt 38, 4 digit serial, mexican copy? If those are the exact markings on the barrel, they are counterfeit. Colt used several markings, but never that exact wording. I agree on the Spanish source. Spanish counterfeits were one reason S&W took the step of putting MARCAS REGISTRADAS (Registered trade marks) in Spanish on its revolvers so Latin American buyers would know the markings were trademarks of S&W and they were counterfeit if used on any other make of gun. Jim