Upside down roll markings on 4 1/2 inch 1889s

[twaits]

Anyone know the realy story behind this anomaly?

Antique Arms, Inc. - Colt Model 1889 Revolver w/ Rare "Upside*Down" BBL Address

Did Colt apply the roll marks before or after barrel assembly?

[Oyeboten]

I would guess - or surmise - that the Roll Stamping was being done to a Barrel which had it's front Sight on it, but with the Barrel not yet fitted to a Frame.

Given that the Roll Die was probably at least 2-1/2 inches or so in diameter, this would have been the only way to apply the Text on a Barrel of this length, where, the front portion of the Frame and or front Sight would be in the way otherwise.

Far as the text being upside-down, I imagine this was an easy mistake to make if they had a new guy on the Roll Die procedure.


It would have been interesting to have been present for the occasion of the the error coming to light...I wonder at what phase it was noticed?

It is possible I suppose that no one noticed for days or weeks, or that it went un-noticed untill those particular Barrels were being fitted to the Frames anyway.

[COLTDAGUY]

Anyone know the realy story behind this anomaly?

Antique Arms, Inc. - Colt Model 1889 Revolver w/ Rare "Upside*Down" BBL Address

Did Colt apply the roll marks before or after barrel assembly?

Hi Twaits... this is NOT an anomaly ... this was how the original model 1889 4 1/2 inch barreled revolvers were produced. The civilain 4 1/2 models from serial number 5090 to about serial number 9500 had this style marking ... It was standard... Enjoy! Bob

[Oyeboten]

Hi Twaits... this is NOT an anomaly ... this was how the original model 1889 4 1/2 inch barreled revolvers were produced. The civilain 4 1/2 models from serial number 5090 to about serial number 9500 had this style marking ... It was standard... Enjoy! Bob

Huh!


That sure is wacky...

[COLTDAGUY]

Huh!


That sure is wacky...

JUst how it was done on the early civilian model 1889 production... The early 3 inch barrel .41 caliber guns used the Colt Model 1877 lightning roll marking... Enjoy! :-) Bob

[twaits]

Bob, thanks for your input. I wonder why Colt's did it this way? It looks like a mistake, like shoddy workmanship.
But as strange as it looks I'd really like to have one just for that reason!