Yup, it's confirmed - as I posted some time back, Colt is well and truly back. Just received another brand new manufacture Peacemaker, this one in 7 1/2". The quality is every bit that of pre-war Colts, as was the last 5 1/2" I nabbed. A big step up from earlier third generation guns, for sure.
Just look at the color case hardening and bluing on this thing. I believe Colt is farming it out to Doug Turnbull these days. Whatever they are doing (or whoever is doing it), they are getting the best colors I have ever seen. Here is the new 7 1/2":
Here is the 5 1/2" bought last year:
Here is an early third generation 4 3/4" that I've been carrying for about the last 30 years. Note how much more subdued the colors are. I spent a good deal of time tuning the action and polishing action parts when I first got this one. It's a fine gun, and very accurate, but the new ones need nothing. The actions on the new ones are butter smooth, and the triggers are light and crisp. As good as any Colts I've ever used.
To say I'm tickled with the new Colts would be a huge understatement. We've always looked for second generation guns, just because they were of better quality than third. We were paying a premium for them, though, and it was always a crap shoot whether it was a shooter or not. Well, now, it seems we are living in the best of times. Quality Colts of brand new manufacture, and for a fraction of what has become the cost of good second generation guns.