A Concise History of the Colt Black Powder Reproduction Revolvers

Beginning in 1974, Lou Imperato replaced Val Forgett as Colt's supplier of components to build their percussion revolvers. These revolvers were completed in exactly the same way as all of their previously made 2nd Generation percussion revolvers – at Colt facilities - from 1974 to 1976. They had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy, and were finished off at Colt's facilities in Hartford, CT. where Imperato had the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs made for every "C" Series gun. Each 2nd Genertion "C" Series part was meticulously tracked and quality inspected at the Colt factory.

The guns produced in this time frame were packaged in wood grain, cardboard boxes. The relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "C" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1976. Just prior to that time, the SAA 2nd Generation era came to an end in 1975, at about the 74,000 serial number range and the "C" Series then followed followed in 1976. Colt made this decision due to the original machinery becoming badly worn and was beginning to “chatter.”

It was in 1977/78 that a new relationship was born and Imperato began manufacturing the 2nd Generation "F" series percussion revolvers at Iver Johnson Arms Middlesex, NJ, which he then owned. It was there that all "F" Series standard production models were manufactured as The Authentic Colt Blackpowder Series, just as the “C” Series had been. While being built in considerable numbers, the guns were far from mass production, with each, as Imperato later explained to Colt, was virtually hand finished. "They were all hand fitted. We had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy (as Forgett had done), but we finished them off in house. We made the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, springs, and built every "F" Series gun at Iver Johnson Arms. We even used the old style color case hardening method with the charcoal and bone meal, and Colt's exclusive Colt Blue Finish for the "F" Series. They turned out pretty good. In fact, I think our finishes were actually better than Colt's single actions being done in Hartford," says Imperato.

These new "F" Series 2nd Generation models came in black cardboard boxes with dark grey foam rubber inserts, and featured Sam Colt's portrait and signature on the lid and end label. This relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "F" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1982.

In Review

Stage one was during the period when Val Forgett and Navy Arms built the revolvers in Colt facilities from 1971 -1973. Stage two was when Lou Imperato built the revolvers in Colt facilities from 1974 -1976, from the same source as Val Forgett. And stage three was from 1978 -1982, when Lou Imperato supplied these parts, but with the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy and the frames, center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs made in the United States at Iver Johnson. All the percussion models made from 1971 to 1982 either by Colt, or its subcontractors are regarded as authentic Colt revolvers and not Italian replicas.

The 3rd Generation Signature Series

At the end of the contract with Lou Imperato to assemble the 2nd Gen Colts, Lou Imperato was already working on a contract with Colt to produce the 3rd Gen Series. Evidently Lou considered the possibility of having Uberti make the completely finished gun. A series of sixteen revolvers of different models were made by Uberti with all the Colt markings. Each one carried a license "permission" letter from Colt. Finish is Royal Charcoal Blue over highly polished metal. These do, however, have the Uberti name under the loading lever. Colt could not accept this and then rejected Mr. Imperato's proposal. The approval letters are dated Jan.15, 1990 based on the contract between Iver Johnson and Colt dated July, 1985. These sixteen revolvers are highly collectable today.

Most Colt collector’s accept the 2nd Gen revolvers as real Colt's and consider these collectable. A number of collectors, however, do not accept the 3rd Gen revolvers as Colts and thus the difference in value. The demand for 2nd Gen revolvers is by both Colt collectors and replica percussion revolver collectors, whereas, the demand for 3rd Gen revolvers is by the replica percussion revolver collectors and ignored by Colt collectors. I might add the demand for these Colts by shooters also play a big part. Since these 2nd & 3rd Gen revolvers are modern production, many of them are still available in “New In Box” condition. These are the ones wanted by collectors. Fired revolvers will be discounted by 50%.

It wasn't until 1993 that Lou Imperato formed the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company to create what became the 3rd Generation Series. Known as the “Signature” Series, the 3rd Generation Series was under a "licensing" agreement with Colt Manufacturing, but had no connection to Colt at all, except for the use of Colt's licensed name. Under this “licensing” agreement, Imperato at his Iver Johnson factory where the 2nd Generation "F" Series were produced, was responsible for procurement of all parts, which came from Uberti and Armi San Marco, as we have found out, in Italy. Iver Johnson was also responsible for quality control, final inspection, marketing, advertising, sales and distribution of the revolvers. This was a totally different agreement than either Forgett or Imperato had for the “C” Series or the “F” Series and these “3rd Generation” revolvers were never affiliated with Colt Manufacturing and Colt Manufacturing will not recognize them nor letter these revolvers except on very, very rare occasions. Colt will letter those revolvers that have a complete series of manufacturing, final inspection and quality control records that satisfy the Colt requirements for lettered revolvers. These records are available for very, very few 3rd Generation revolvers.

This statement is supported by an article published in the November 1994 issue of "Gun Tests" magazine. It revealed that "Colt's Manufacturing Co., apparently concerned that its customers might be confused by similar names, says it has nothing to do with black powder guns being sold under the 'Authentic Colt Black Powder Signature Series' name." They went on to quote Jeff Crute, Colt's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He is reported as stating "The guns are manufactured and marketed by John J. Jovino and Co. of New York (owned by Lou Imperato) and bear only the Colt name. The (revolvers) are being produced and sold through a special licensing agreement which was negotiated prior to the current management ( in 1994). CMCI (Colt's Manufacturing Co., Inc.) assumes no responsibility for product quality, workmanship or liability."

It is this 3rd Generation Series, made between 1993 and 2002, that has created most of the confusion as to whether or not these “Signature Series” of revolvers were Italian made. Yes, the 3rd Generation Series parts were completely Italian made by Uberti and later a few by Armi San Marco and then assembled at the Iver Johnson factory by Colt Blackpowder Arms Company of Brooklyn NY.

An interesting side story to this 3rd Generation Series is that Lou Imperato left Armi San Marco holding the bag on a bunch of parts ordered by Colt Blackpowder Arms when they went out of business in 2002. Most were barrels that had been marked with the Colt Address. Rather than eat them ASM put them on their own revolvers that they were exporting to the U.S. You have a well finished Armi San Marco revolver with the official Colt Address on the Barrel and "San Marco" on the frame where the "Colt Patent" usually is found. These are extremely collectable and are already bringing some high dollars from replica revolver collectors. Customs put a stop to these imports when Colt Complained, but some got through customs.