Hi ButchG17,
That's very nice and an interesting varitaion you have there...
Digging further into the collecting of "Transitions", collectors should keep in mind that Colt, like all companies was only interested in the bottom line. Nothing was ever wasted. There are many examples of Colt using up old parts on later production guns.
A Classic example that is well known is their use of the long fluted Model 1878 double action revolver cylinders on the Model 1873 single actions. When the Model 1878 DA went out of production, Colt remachined the ratchet area of the cylinder and used them in the SAA model rather than discard them. This became a coverted and very expensive collector's gun.
What you have to be careful of today is having the "cottage industry" make up some "Rare Unknown Variation" and selling it to the unwary collector. The only way I have found to protect yourself from this is KNOWLEDGE!
If you are going to collect these "rare and expensive" variations, you better have an EXTENSIVE knowledge of just exactly what Colt was doing in their manufacturing processes at any specific time... That requires considerable study of multiple revolver lines being produced by Colt and a study of the machining and finishing processes Colt was using. It also requires a knowledge of what kinds of machining processes we used then vs.now as machining/finishing today leaves a different "signature" than in days of old. (Example: Finding electric engraving cutter tool marks in the bottoms of factory applied ROLL MARKINGS on guns that were made before engravers were in use)... If you don't have this base of knowledge it can be a very expensive lesson for you to learn as you are an easy mark... That is how "cottage industry" Fakers make their money!!!
I enjoyed looking at you .32-20! Bob Best