Factory screw ups. Serial numbers and other markings.

[twaits]

Since Oyebotens thread on Vince Fosters gun was straying from gun topics and closed I wanted to ask this question in a different thread to get back on topic. It's sort of where I was hoping the thread would go.

The Foster gun was found to have 355055 on the frame and 356555 on the crane. Seems to me like it's possible that this was a mixup at the factory. The numbers could look similar to a bad set of eyes and they are close to the same time of manufacture. Does anyone else have anything similar?
I have a 1903 Colt Pocket hammer that has a serial number under the slide that is around 100 off from the serial on the frame.

I also have a Police Positive from 1908 that has not VP or inspectors marks on the trigger guard webs. The gun is not refinished.

These mistakes do happen and I know they are uncommon but I'm curious as to who else out there has some strange anomaly on one of their Colts.

[mentallapse]

I have a blackpowder Colt SAA with a 5 1/2" barrel. The barrel address is two lines. I have no doubt it is original from the factory. GB item # 271304680

[Oyeboten]

I think I do have one ( a New Service ) which appears to be a factory over-stamp of one of the characters, which could have been discovered by Colt to have been just such a mis-match ( of Crane and frame ) and corrected by them in that manner. I will see if I can dig it out sometime soon and report back.


Thanks twaits for finding out what those Numbers are on the old Army Special of the Foster-Story..!


Must have been interesting ( and tedious! ) to have been occupied in the final Assembly of the post-blueing major Sub-Assemblies of the Colt DAs, with Lord Knows how many rows of Frames in Racks, and, Cylinder-Crane sub-assemblies arranged how-ever-so, and having to match each to their proper other.

Probably they had several operatives at the same Station, working at the task...

"Uhhh, anybody seen 545729?"

"I got 545279 somewhere around here, I know I saw it earlier...would that do?"

"Hurry up! Ol' Bob's wheeeling up another Cart full of Frames for Pete's sake!"

"C'mon Boys, cut the small talk and let's get 'em done and get 'em OUT! There pilin' up on us!"

Lol...

[broknaxl]

I was looking at a Diamondback .22 recently that had no markings at all on the barrel. He claimed it came that way from the factory. It had a 4in barrel.

[Kid Sopris]

SS 6" Python with no rollmarks at all. Only Serial Number.



No "VP" Proof on Trigger Guard of Colt Peacemaker. Kathy Hoyt asked me to send it back, but I refused..LOL

[Buckspen]

I once had a Browning .25 ACP vest pocket pistol that was marked .32 caliber.

- - - Buckspen

[Oyeboten]

I once had a Browning .25 ACP vest pocket pistol that was marked .32 caliber.

- - - Buckspen

Now that's a hoot!

[kenhwind]

Looked at a minty late Model Detective Special that had the barrel address on both sides.

[twaits]

Here's a copy of the Colt factory letter for the Vince Foster gun. Note there were two guns in the shipment. I wonder if the other one was 356555?

Perhaps the cranes were removed for some reason at the gun shop they were sent to then mixed up.

colt.jpg

[Oyeboten]

I guess someone would have to send off for another Letter, to find out!