No topstrap on early Colt sixguns

[Metman2]

When I see old (e.g. pre-Civil-War) Colt revolvers, I am struck by the absence of a top strap. I wonder, what holds them together? Obviously something does, but I'm at a loss to figure it out from photos.

 

[mooncoon]

there is a fairly robust cylinder pin that extends into the area below the barrel. There is a cross bolt ie a flat key that ties the barrel and the cylinder pin together

cheers mooncoon

 

[Skinny 1950]

Here is picture of one taken apart, notice the large cylinder pin and wedge notch to hold it all together.

 

[Snow Dog]

A picture's worth a thousand words!

I see someone beat me too it!

 

[playkation]

Cool, thanks for the pic. I've always wondered this too!

 

[Metman2]

there is a fairly robust cylinder pin that extends into the area below the barrel. There is a cross bolt ie a flat key that ties the barrel and the cylinder pin together

cheers mooncoon

Thanks for this and the pictures!

 

[Bullwhip]

You learn something every day: I also noticed and never knew the grip frame on those was a two-piece.

 

[cyclone]

A picture's worth a thousand words!

I see someone beat me too it!

Wedge "Part # 3" is the ticket.........I've always wondered if it's safe to shoot one without screw "Part 24" in-place......

 

[handofzeus]

Here is picture of one taken apart, notice the large cylinder pin and wedge notch to hold it all together.

I believe I see two sear/trigger springs there and one is broken. I know because I've made several for my old single action! Nothing like a little home 'smithing to really get to understand a gun's workings.

 

[Amaziah Rimfire]

Wedge "Part # 3" is the ticket.........I've always wondered if it's safe to shoot one without screw "Part 24" in-place......

Yes. Part 24 bears against the spring in the top of the wedge, and when you drive the wedge out, the little ridge at the end of the spring stops the wedge before it comes all the way out. It's basically so you can drive the wedge out far enough to remove the barrel assembly from the gun while leaving the wedge in the barrel assembly so you don't lose it. The wedge will stay in place for firing just fine without that screw.

And once I had a Colt disassembled, I knew just what the designer of the Le Mat was thinking. "Hey, instead of this fat cylinder pin, how about we install another barrel for the cylinder to revolve around? A nice fat shotgun barrel!

 

[Skinny 1950]

I believe I see two sear/trigger springs there and one is broken.

If it isn't this spring that breaks it will be the hand spring...never had a hammer spring (mainspring) break so far.