Help on identifying manufacture date: Colt New Frontier .22

[DrDavid]

Recently purchased a Colt New Frontier .22/22Mag (has both cylinders).

Serial # is L20XXX (where the "X"'s are numbers)

From this page ( http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html ) it SEEMS like it might be from 1958, but the serial #'s don't show an initial letter (whereas the gun I purchased DOES have a serial # that starts with a letter).

So, I'm confused.

[razr]

Go to colts website, this might help.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/SerialNumberLookup.aspx

[DrDavid]

Go to colts website, this might help.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServ...berLookup.aspx

Thanks, but it comes up without results.. If I drop the letter, I get results, but, none are of the right model.

Strange.....

[razr]

I used to up till a year or so ago fax Colt my serial numbers and they would fax the year of MFG back to me the following day. PM a couple more numbers, I have a Colt serial number book I might find it there.

[razr]

OK, mfg 1970-1977 and 1982-1986 SN range believed to be same as Peacemaker 22 model with G or L prefix stamped on the bottom of the frame. G10251 -G31701 dates to 1971,72

[Chaos47]

Colt New Frontier.
Do not get confused with the older "Frontier Scout"

They didn't make the New Frontier in 1958...

The L stands for the models for a lack of a better word "trim package" ie the material/color/grips
It appears L stands for steel frame and was apparently only made in 1974

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-282235.html

The L series or L-prefix were only made for a few months in 1974. Production began on March 25, 1974 and ended on September 9, 1974. Don Wilkerson's book, Colt Scouts Peacemakers and New Frontiers in .22 Caliber is the definitive reference for Colt single action 22's. He did a number of books on Colt single actions. Mr. Wilkerson was well thought of in Colt circles. The information that I have comes primarily from his book. Wilkerson estimates that 4,726 6-inch L-Series New Frontier revolvers were manufactured. That makes it uncommon, probably not rare in the world of Colt revolvers. He wrote that approx. 10,809 4.4" barreled NF's were made. In general, the single action 22's were good sellers for Colt and they made a lot of them.

From the colt website under: Frontier Scout and Peacemaker .22 Revolvers

Peacemaker .22 Model
Year Serial Number
1970 G10001
1971 G10251
1972 G31701
1973 G67451
1974 G88151
1974 L01001-L25000
1975 G117201
1976 G159201-G198733
1977 G0001 RB-G3021 RB

[razr]

Solved

[DrDavid]

Sorry. Missed the reply above. Very interesting stuff!

So, if I understand right, the gun is fairly unique, being an "L" series?

Too bad the original box has been lost to time

[Chaos47]

Sorry. Missed the reply above. Very interesting stuff!

So, if I understand right, the gun is fairly unique, being an "L" series?

Too bad the original box has been lost to time

Seems that is is uncommon, yes. But I am not sure if it was any different then a G model except for the serial number. I am having trouble finding the exact trims the L was and how it differs from a G.
Some series go for surprisingly low like 100 bucks while some like the K go for 600+.
No matter what it is a quality gun and a real Colt. So while its not a knock off like a Heritage Rough Rider I could imagine it could be hard to find the right buyer for a more expensive Colt when there is much cheaper competition if the buyer is looking for a plinker. But a lot of people are attracted to the name and the quality. Apparently there is a lot of nostalgia for these guns too because of the time frame they came out.

If it's true this explains why they went from G to L to G again:

http://www.northwestfirearms.com/general-firearm-discussion/7850-colt-new-frontier.html

"G" doent mean buntline. It mean "G". It was originally an "L" but the "L" was confused with "1" so Colt went with the "G". its a alphabet prefix to the s/n. they did have a "GS" NF series that was 22LR only, but the s/n is in the G200000+ and it has the cross bolt safety. you would know if you had one.

from your s/n, it appears that your NF could be a dually. IE, 22LR and 22Mag. btw, there was also Peacemakers too. but just because you have 2 cylinders doent mean it left the factory that way. the only way to find out is to have the OEM Box w/info or a letter from Colt.

the barrel length will tell you if its a "buntline". the NF/PM buntlines had a barrel length of 7.5" but again, this is only for the NF/PMs. They also made NF/PM barrel lengths of 4.4, 4.75 & 6"

Buntlines demand a higher price but from the photo yours does not look long enough to be one

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/6575582/Re_Colt_Peacemaker_L_prefix_In

The book is " Scouts, Peacemakers and New Frontiers "
By Don Wilkerson.
Page145
Generally!
Any L series must be considered a rarity.
No single caliber guns have been found in the L series, barrel marking would show, 22LR.
Production began on March 25th 1974 and ended on September 9, 1974.
Serial numbers started at L01001 and ended on L249000 and production totaled around 23,400 units.
The L series fell with in the G series of guns. The G and L series featured steel frames and blue and casehardened frames.
There are 12 variations of the L series guns combined within the Peacemaker and New Frontier models.

It would be interesting to see all 12 varaitions and find out which yours is and how rare it is unfortunatly I do not have the book that others are talking about...


About the box the info below is gathered from my researching Frontier Scouts but it may apply to New Frontiers as well: (Not sure)
I don't know for sure but it seems a lot of them did not come with the hardwood presentation box. It seems that most of them that had both the 22LR and 22Mag cylinders only came with a paper box for some reason. (Guess they figured if you wanted both cylinders you actually plan on shooting it while the K one like mine is a bit more decorative, hah)

[DrDavid]

Once the gun gets out of Jail on the 9th, I'll post more details on it. It does have both cylinders (I have the 22Mag with me here), and it's in fantastic shape (recently cleaned, greased, oiled, etc..)

I can't wait to shoot it and see how it performs!