“- I believe that is an actual authentic antique Colt revolver...”
If that is so, the pictured gun has been the subject of extensive rework. Refinish is either nickel or chrome plate: difficult to differentiate in a photo, easier in person. But the rounded edges and dished-out holes where the three screws come through give it away. The placement of the stop notches in relation to the nipple recesses does not match an original, and there aren’t any nipples.
Interesting caliber conversion.
“- Sam Colt was quite stubborn and resisted updating to a much stronger one-piece full frame with the barrel firmly screwed into to frame.
- Sam Colt died in 1862 - early in the War between the States. ...”
Sam might not be so highly regarded had he lived. As devolve has noted, he resisted every innovation that made the revolver such a success in the last 1/3 of the 19th century (metallic cartridges, solid frames, double action).
His cap-and-ball configurations (frame, cylinder arbor, barrel wedged on the front) were indeed less stout, but they are easier to clean and maintain than any competing design. And any arm firing black powder simply *must* be taken to bits for thorough cleaning, if the owner wants it to remain reliable and to last.
The Smith & Wesson hinged frame was another amazing innovation for its time, but total strength was scarcely any better than the barrel-wedge configuration of the original Colts. Henninger and Mason’s solid frame Single Action Army was a better bet for strength and durability - key attributes for the Ordnance Corps. Annoyingly, the latch is the weakest point of the Nr 3 and all smaller S&W top-break revolvers; only a little wear loosens the joint to the point where the arm will pop open on firing, with serious results. Far better was the Webley configuration (present on earlier British revolvers I think), reversing S&W’s arrangement by mounting the latch on the standing breech. Revolver buffs will recall that the Nr 3 variant modified by George Schofield for the Ordnance Corps bears a latch quite different from other S&W hinged frames.
With deference to devolve’s historical research, my memory of what I read tells me that on 25 June 1876 George Armstrong Custer was not carrying the latest issue revolver (Colt Single Action). He was carrying a brace of revolvers gifted to him by some notable personage: S&W Old Model 1-1/2 or Old Model 2, chambered in 32 rimfire. They were hinged frame but not auto-ejecting. The Nr 3 Schofield had not yet been taken into US Army service.
In fairness to all involved, I cannot dispel serious doubts about the 7th Cavalry Regiment’s chances, even if they had been armed with Schofields. The odds were not in their favor.
And even the most talented commander can have a bad day.
- Yes - dished frame around the threaded frame screw holes
- Custer split his forces - his subordinates did not stay in close contact - his ego was always a problem
- He left several Gatling Guns behind
- I have also heard he may have been carrying Bulldogs
- The single-shot Springfield Trapdoor .45-70’s tend to jam on the cartridge shells
- The Indians had repeaters and the troopers had long distance single-shot carbines - not too swift
- I have read that Custer had his men using Spencer carbines - but the brains far away knew so much better than Custer did
- You can even find pre Little Big Horn Colt SAA’s on guns international