How To Disassemble Colt Cap and Ball Revolvers

Published on February 24, 2018
Duration: 28:21

Dustin Winegar provides a comprehensive guide to the complete disassembly and reassembly of Colt cap and ball revolvers, focusing on the 1851 Navy and highlighting differences with the 1847 Walker. He details the removal of the barrel assembly, cylinder, grips, back strap, and internal action components, emphasizing careful screw handling and spring management. The guide concludes with reassembly instructions, stressing the importance of correct part orientation and function checks.

Quick Summary

To disassemble a Colt cap and ball revolver, start by removing the wedge holding the barrel assembly, then slide off the barrel and cylinder. Next, remove the grips and back strap, followed by the mainspring. Disassemble the internal action by removing the trigger guard frame, trigger spring, bolt, and hammer. Clean parts with hot water and a toothbrush, then reassemble in reverse order, paying attention to part orientation and screw tightness.

Chapters

  1. 00:04Introduction to Disassembly
  2. 01:06Differences: Colt Walker vs. 1851 Navy
  3. 02:21Tools Needed for Disassembly
  4. 02:41Removing the Wedge and Barrel Assembly
  5. 03:15Removing Loading Lever and Rammer
  6. 04:13Removing the Cylinder
  7. 04:28Removing Back Strap and Grips
  8. 07:30Removing the Mainspring (Hammer Spring)
  9. 08:44Removing the Trigger Guard Frame
  10. 10:22Removing the Trigger Spring
  11. 10:45Removing the Trigger
  12. 11:29Removing the Bolt
  13. 12:15Removing the Hammer
  14. 13:02Cleaning the Parts
  15. 13:33Reassembly: Hammer and Hand
  16. 15:03Reassembly: Bolt
  17. 16:12Reassembly: Trigger
  18. 17:56Reassembly: Trigger Spring
  19. 19:48Reassembly: Trigger Guard Frame
  20. 21:15Reassembly: Mainspring
  21. 22:07Reassembly: Grip and Back Strap
  22. 25:23Reassembly: Loading Lever and Rammer
  23. 26:47Reassembly: Cylinder and Barrel Assembly
  24. 27:02Reassembly: Wedge
  25. 27:24Conclusion and Cleaning Frequency

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools are needed to disassemble a Colt cap and ball revolver?

For disassembling Colt cap and ball revolvers, you will need a non-metallic mallet for tapping out parts like the wedge, and a set of flathead screwdrivers with various tips to accommodate different screw sizes. Ensure your screwdrivers have a good fit to avoid stripping soft screws common on replicas.

What are the key differences in disassembly between a Colt 1847 Walker and an 1851 Navy?

The primary disassembly difference is the direction the wedge is driven: left-to-right on the 1851 Navy, but right-to-left on the 1847 Walker. Additionally, on the Walker, the bolt and trigger screws do not fully protrude from the right side of the frame, unlike on the 1851 Navy.

How do you safely remove the mainspring from a Colt cap and ball revolver?

To safely remove the mainspring, loosen its retaining screw at the bottom of the grip but do not remove it completely. Press the spring down and rotate it out from under the hammer. This prevents the screw from flying out due to spring tension.

Is complete disassembly necessary for every cleaning of a Colt cap and ball revolver?

No, complete disassembly is not necessary for every cleaning. For routine cleaning, it's often sufficient to remove the barrel assembly, cylinder, and nipples. Complete disassembly is recommended only occasionally for a deeper clean, as frequent disassembly can wear out screws.

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