This does not show how to get the hammer into place. I assume the hammer is put on its pin which is held in from the rear of the frame
with two more set screws. I wish I knew how to do that quality of welding.
We need some gunsmith who will do that tedious welding and drilling/tapping who will simply offer to sell such modified frames.
That could be a nice speciality business. I would even be satisfied with modified Uberti frames.
I think I will ask my local gunsmith who manufactures AR-15 frames about this. He must have the manufacture's license already.

Weagle99, Thanks for posting those pictures!!

 

This picture shows the hammer area...

 

It's interesting that they would take a standard frame and weld up the holes. You would think the colt manufactured ones would have just started with a solid blank frame and machine it from there.

 

I assume the drilled frame provides points of reference for the pin locations that a non-drilled frame does not.
I am impressed that Mr. Fraconlini decided to share this information, as the screwless frame has been a sort of guarded secret for years.

The "Choo-choo" Colts:

Francolini basically ordered two standard Black powder SAAs with the exception of the long flutes and shipped unfinished "in the white". Seems like he could have ordered them with screwless frames, but perhaps the 2 year + wait was unacceptable. So since he didn't, it required welding the existing holes.

I'm also wondering if Colt does it this way. One would think they have the option of not drilling the three action screw holes, and milling the pin slot locations from scratch. But then again reprogramming the CNC process, even for a run of say, 20 frames or so for inventory w/o action screw holes is expensive in its own right. Therefore the welding option on a one-at-a-time basis may actually be the least expensive option in the long run to keep the customer price within reason. Albeit, with the presumed long lead time, they may have shot themselves in the foot, if my presumption in Francolini's case is correct.

Jim

 

I assume the drilled frame provides points of reference for the pin locations that a non-drilled frame does not.

I am impressed that Mr. Fraconlini decided to share this information, as the screwless frame has been a sort of guarded secret for years.

 

If you look at the photos, the hammer screw is at an angle and not perpendicular to the frame like the other two screws. Lining up screw holes in those frames is not easy without a jig.

JP

 

I can now see why Colt gets $300 for this option, IIRC last time I checked.

Jim

 

Francolini is a true master with metal!

 

OK, (I'll take the bait) maybe Jim or one of you can tell us how the hand is put in the hammer if the hammer is put in from the rear?




Mike uh . . . . I mean . . . . Joe . . . . Joe Smith



(I might like to do a screwless Dragoon.)

 

OK, (I'll take the bait) maybe Jim or one of you can tell us how the hand is put in the hammer if the hammer is put in from the rear?

That's a very perceptive question!

There's no special hand or pin shown. And I don't have a Colt apart at the moment to test my theory. But I think once the hammer pin and hand are assembled to the hammer and the assembly is placed into the frame, there may be enough play to pull the hammer to the rear and in an upside down position for the hammer pin to clear the lower corner of the frame, slide up the rear face and pop into the slots. Then the set screws threaded in and tightened.

Jim

 

Wow! Good question huh?
I'll keep checkin.


Mi . .

Joe Smith

 

I am still pondering that myself based on the pictures...

 

Francolini basically ordered two standard Black powder SAAs with the exception of the long flutes and shipped unfinished "in the white". Seems like he could have ordered them with screwless frames, but perhaps the 2 year + wait was unacceptable. So since he didn't, it required welding the existing holes.

I'm also wondering if Colt does it this way. One would think they have the option of not drilling the three action screw holes, and milling the pin slot locations from scratch. But then again reprogramming the CNC process, even for a run of say, 20 frames or so for inventory w/o action screw holes is expensive in its own right. Therefore the welding option on a one-at-a-time basis may actually be the least expensive option in the long run to keep the customer price within reason. Albeit, with the presumed long lead time, they may have shot themselves in the foot, if my presumption in Francolini's case is correct.

Interesting observations. I read before that screwless frame availability can be an issue with Colt, and that they make the frames in batches (i.e. - Once the batch is used, there won't be any more for awhile).

 

I believe you're correct and rather than saying "on a one-at-a-time basis", I should have said on a small batch-at-a-time basis; the common small volume production approach.

Jim

 

Thanks for posting. This puzzled me for a time.

 

Some one might correct me, but I do believe that gun was on display @ at 'End Of The Trail" match in 1999 may be as a prize or drawing? EoT was considered then as the "World Championships". But no doubt is was shipped from SASS at one time. Surprised the Colt letter doesn't show when the gun was delivered and to whom.

 

Not being familiar with the "screwless frame" option, I have to ask the first really dumb question of the year. What is the purpose of this, or better yet why on earth would you do this? Is it simply a case of "just because"? As Charlie Brown would say, good grief!

Dave

 

.............What is the purpose of this, or better yet why on earth would you do this? Is it simply a case of "just because"?..

Classic case of a gun made, but never intended to be shot. Built as works of art only. No screws means a bigger, clean canvas for engraving.

 

but never intended to be shot.

But the guns are functional and can be fired if the owner wants to do so.

Most aren't.

 

I was at EOT in 99 with the Colt rep, and had two prototypes in the glass case at the rear of the tent, along with the screwless. frame. Ron Dudsizc from Colt, some type of production coordinator, brought me out along with Annie and the other riders who used Colts. All those people were like fish. Ron said the gun didn't inspire any sales.

JP

 

I don't know what you mean by, "All those people were like fish." Do you mean their mouths were gaping open, or they were cold to the idea, or what?

 

Dave, any idea how the one ended up at SASS headquarters?

Fish?