I bought this pistol in unfired condition at an auction cheap, as it would not unlock the cylinder. It is a second generation Colt and my#4 son, Dave wanted it as he thought it might increase in value. He found a gunsmith in Fl. who was qualified to repair it, and left it knowing there would be a long wait. When he checked on it almost a year later, he found that the fellow had passed away, and had quite a time getting the gun back. Upon finally recieving it, he found that the cylinder had been replaced with an obviously used cylinder. He lost interest in it and returned it to me. I found that the part of the cyl. lock bolt that engaged the hammer was broken, and ordered it from Brownell. Upon installing it , it still wouldn't unlock. After much taking it apart, I put the grip frame on, leaving the screws loose, and it worked! butwhen I tightened the screws, it wouldn"t. I finally determined that the grip frame needed a recess ground into it to give clearence for the bolt, easily done with a dremel tool. The next problem was the hammer would not move back far enough to engage the sear. A little file work remedied that, then I had to relieve the sides at the back of the hammer groove to prevent the hammer from sticking back. It now functions beautifully. It would appear that the gun came from the factory in this condition, and this would account for it being unfired. Another matching Colt there was obviously fired a lot, and the Ruger Old Army I bought at a steal there had been fired some. I really enjoy shooting the Old Army, and have molds for round balls and a 230 gr. round nose which can be a pain to load with its flat base. It also is has a tendency for the bullets to move and lock up the action under full house loading.