Always wanted a '51 Navy, but I didn't want to deal with an antique. Here's a nice Colt 2nd Gen '71 Grant Commemorative that fell in my lap lately. It's unfired and unturned. As luck would have it, another one (bottom), also unfired but with a few handling marks, also came my way at the same time. It'll be my shooter eventually. These guns definitely rate high on the cool scale.
Bob

Wish I had bought a few back in the days when they were cheap.

Very nice! I think the '51 Navy is the handsomest of all the Colt percussion revolvers.

I have a 2nd Generation Colt Signature Series 1847 Walker Colt. I paid $299 for it in the late 1980's and they sell somewhere north of $800 now in excellent condition. The 2nd Gen 1851s and 1860s will go for around #$650-$700 in excellent condition.

The 2nd Gen black powder revolvers are considered to be Colts and the serial numbers picked up where the first gen revolvers left off. But (it's heresy too say it) Colt didn't actually make their 2nd generation black powder revolvers. The parts were made to Colts' very high specifications by Uberti and shipped to the US as parts where they were assembled under contract by Iver Johnson.

That manufacturing arrangement was a practical issue as Colt had long since destroyed any tooling for their black powder revolvers. It however also ensured that Colt maintained the specifications and quality they wanted and avoided any import marks.

They were, and remain the nicest reproduction Colts ever made by anyone, with superb fit and finish.

Very nice...just a couple of minor corrections, though. The early guns (1971--'78) were, as you said, assembled using Uberti castings and parts. These were made to Colt specs and shipped to Colt for finishing. These guns were assembled, fitted, proofed and finished in the old Colt factory in Hartford. They will letter as Colts. Later "Signature" guns were assembled and finished in New Jersey and later, New York, by Lou Imperato, a large East Cost Colt distributer. He had purchased the Iver Johnson factory in MA, moved the machinery to NJ and did the work under Colt license. Colt will not letter these "3rd Gen" guns because they don't have the serial numbers and records. 2nd Gen guns went through the Colt system and were recorded in the archives when built. There is a long discussion (still on-going) about this on the Colt forum. VERY interesting, if you want the complete story. Nice guns, no matter who made them. Your Walker is gorgeous; great photos.
Bob

A very nice pair to be sure! I have a 1860 Army and a 1861 Navy both third gen "signature series" along with the accessory box with powder flask, bullet mold and cap tin for both. I bought these to shoot SASS. The 1860 Army is a very good performer and have had no problems with it. The 1861 Navy sorta fell apart after two cylinders shot. The loading ram snapped off and the full cock sear sheared off as well. Sent it back to Colt with a letter stating that I bought it to shoot,not to be a safe queen. I don't know who at Colt or elsewhere repaired it but it was fixed and had no further problems with it. They are indeed beautiful revolvers to look at as the case coloring and blueing are top notch and are fitted rather well.

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