1860 Signature Series

[mazo kid]

Has anyone here read the article in the latest Shooting Times magazine about the 3rd Gen. Colt? The author writes a glowing report about the gun, then states that it is regarded as an "authentic Colt". He bases this on the book by Dennis Adler who states that since Uberti used a proprietary Colt bluing method the gun is considered as authentic. Really? A 2 minute search would have given him the information needed. Colt will not letter the 3rd Generation guns, period!

[Bishop Creek]

Colt will not letter the 3rd Generation guns, period!

Colt used to letter them. According to the official Colt historian, Paul, on the Colt Archives, quote:

"We do not letter these guns - I believe that we used to, but we do not maintain any of the shipping records, so I think we stopped doing that.

As far as our position, it isn't really a position. The fact is the guns were produced under a licensing agreement with Colt Blackpowder Arms, manufactured to Colt's specifications. Now, does that make it a true Colt or not? I'm sure that debate will never have any consensus. My personal take is that they are not true Colt's, but that they do hold their own place within Colt collecting. Comparable situations would be the Argentine contract 1911's (not the Colt produced ones - the Argentinian produced ones), the Norwegian contract 1911's, the Spanish produced .25 autos, and the current Walther produced .22's."

[Hawg]

Colt never lettered them. How could they? They had no part in the manufacture of them, they didn't warranty them and they certainly didn't ship them, all they did was sell the rights to use their name. They're no more a Colt than a Colt marked Zippo lighter.

[Fingers McGee]

They're no more a Colt than a Colt marked Zippo lighter.

I've got one of those.  Colt Royal Blue, not that cheap imitation blue/black of the Signature Series.  You mean the guy that sold it to me as an authentic Colt was lying?   

[Hawg]

They're no more a Colt than a Colt marked Zippo lighter.

I've got one of those.  Colt Royal Blue, not that cheap imitation blue/black of the Signature Series.  You mean the guy that sold it to me as an authentic Colt was lying?   

Well ummm actually. Yep! 

[mazo kid]

I seem to recall that when Colt ended the "Authentic Series" black box Colts, there were a lot of parts unused and ASM (?) continued to assemble and sell them as Colts. Colt sued, and the Signature Series came into being. I can see arguments both ways; the 2nd and 3rd Gen. guns are virtually identical, except the 3rd Gen. guns were not assembled under Colt supervision.

[Hawg]

I seem to recall that when Colt ended the "Authentic Series" black box Colts, there were a lot of parts unused and ASM (?) continued to assemble and sell them as Colts. Colt sued, and the Signature Series came into being. I can see arguments both ways; the 2nd and 3rd Gen. guns are virtually identical, except the 3rd Gen. guns were not assembled under Colt supervision.

Colt did the final fitting and finishing themselves on the 2nd gens. Colt didn't have anything to do with the signature series. The way it was explained to me by Dr Davis is Uberti subcontracted ASM to make Colt marked barrels for the second gens and when Colt stopped production ASM got stuck with them. ASM used the barrels on their own guns and Colt sued.

[Fingers McGee]

They're no more a Colt than a Colt marked Zippo lighter.

I've got one of those.  Colt Royal Blue, not that cheap imitation blue/black of the Signature Series.  You mean the guy that sold it to me as an authentic Colt was lying?   

Well ummm actually. Yep! 

    

[Hawg]

They're no more a Colt than a Colt marked Zippo lighter.

I've got one of those.  Colt Royal Blue, not that cheap imitation blue/black of the Signature Series.  You mean the guy that sold it to me as an authentic Colt was lying?   

Well ummm actually. Yep! 

    

It'll be alright.