Colt Springfield Reproduction?

[scoutguy375]

Howdy All,
Can anyone tell me about a Colt 1851 Springfield reproduction made by the Colt company? I saw one recently at a gun store and the owner told me that they're extremely rare as only about 1,000 were made. I have been unable to locate much information online about the reproduction models, only originals. The weapon seems extremely well made with 1851 stamps on both the lock plate and barrel. I'm considering it so any information or links you could provide would be most helpful. Thanks y'all - Jeff

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

I missed that one...

What is Colt 1851 Springfield? Unfortunately, I don't know it.

Thanks.

Curt

[DamYankee25]

Do you mean the 1861 Colt?

[scoutguy375]

Yes,I'm sorry! My fingers were evidently moving faster than my brain. It was the 1861 Special Contract model.

[FloridaHoosier]

There have been several threads discussing this model - just type in the words Colt contract musket or Colt 1861 special contract in the search bar above and you'll be able to see what is archived. They are not all that rare, but you can see about them for yourself with the prior threads and from what others will post

[scoutguy375]

Thank you sir. I'll check it out. - Jeff

[DamYankee25]

What Ross said. If you're asking if they are a quality repro weapon I think it is. I have one and I love it. It rusts just by thinking about it thought. There is some defarb work to be done on it, but overall it's a nice piece. I believe the repros are getting more rare but don't quote me on that.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Thanks, I thought it may be a typo, but it was repeated twice.

Just a Quick & Dirty.

In ye Way Back Daze of 1988ish (?), the first generation of Colt SM1861's were made by an N-SSA builder. I don't remember, and maybe Herr Berry can help, but the project went sour after a year or two, and came to an end.

The SM1861 remained dormant for a few years, until resurrected by Colt in 1995.

Colt Black Powder Firearms had them made by the Italians (Armi Sport) but to higher standards and Quality Control for Colt starting in 1995. Theirs was a limited production run as part of the "Signature Series" (so-called because of the Colt bust and signature on the trigger guard bow. There is some difference of opinion on this, largely due to the Colt mystique and markets just like for the Colt Peacemaker revolvers that were Italian made, Iver Johnson assembled, and finished "in the USA" to Colt standards, and then marketed and distributed by Colt as Colts.

Although an okay enouggh gun (it does have minor errors compared to the originals becaase AS/Chiappa used their M1863 Springfield as its base), interest in the SM1861 was low and not supported by the CW Community even though the original SM1861 was a fairly common RM. Plus there was a financial dilemma versus authenticity issue connected to removing the Sam Colt image and signature.

In 1998, a Colt BP distributer named Chattahoochee Arms "took over," and started selling the Amoskeag and L, G, & Y verisons of the SM1861 as well.

I may be entirely wrong, but I seem to recall seeing an Chiappa/Armi Sport SM1861 at a vendor's. If true, and I believe it to be, then the Italians realized that since they were already making the parts, they might as well offer a completed gun.

Anyways, when it comes to the SM1861's there can sometimes be found floating around:

1. The "N-SSA/Colt" project Colt SM1861
2. The Colt Black Powder "Signature Series" Colt SM1861
3. The Chattahoochee Amoskeag or L, G, & Y SM1861

and maybe, possibly if i am not totally wrong:

4. A Chiappa (fka Armi Sport) SM1861

I had two Colt Signature SM1861's and a Chattahoochee SM1861. I regret not keeping and de-farbing the "Colt" Colt some times.

IMHO, they were not all that fantrasic;, one just paid a premium for the better workmanship and a higher premium yet for the "Colt" stampings.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[Craig L Barry]

No, Curt you are correct. Armi Sport Enfield lock parts interchange in the reproduction Colt Special Model lock
and original Colt SM parts do not. The "licensed" Colt series of firearms "made in the USA" out of imported (Italian)
parts were clearly (at least in the case of the Special Model of 1861) a rebranded version of the Armi Sport
US 1863. A close look at the pictures in their catalog reveal this as well. One enervating (to me) mistake is the
1861 date on the lock plate. The originals were not marked with the model date but rather the date of manufacture.
The first deliveries of Colt Special Models was not until August 1862.

There is a chapter on this reproduction in The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy. Long story short, it is
essentially an Armi Sport but premium priced. Not bad but nothing to jusitify paying more either.

[scoutguy375]

Thank you gentlemen. It's a beautiful gun, but based on what I've heard, it seems a bit overpriced. Dealer wants $800+ for it, so I think I'll pass this time around. Thanks again! - Jeff