REPLICA PERCUSSION REVOLVER COLLECTORS BLOG

COLT PERCUSSION REVOLVERS - 1851/1860/1861/1862 Frame & Water Table Comparisons

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:24:40 GMT

1851 Navy · 1860 Army · 1861 Navy · 1862 Pocket Navy

Frame anatomy · Water table steps · Cylinder clearance · Loading lever variants · Key dimensions

Introduction

Between 1851 and 1873, Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company produced a sequence of cap-and-ball revolvers whose frame architecture embodies one of the most instructive evolutionary arcs in American gunmaking. Four models define that arc with particular clarity: the 1851 Navy, the 1860 Army, the 1861 Navy, and the 1862 Pocket Navy. Taken together they document how a single frame pattern — the slender, iron Navy bar developed in Hartford for the Mexican War era — was progressively adapted to meet demands for greater bore diameter, improved loading mechanisms, and reduced carrying weight, without abandoning the tooling investment already in place.

The central structural feature under examination here is the water table: the horizontal surface machined into the top of the frame bar, forward of the standing breech, on which the barrel's lower flat or lug seats. On the 1851 and 1861 Navy the water table is a single, uninterrupted plane. On the 1860 Army and 1862 Pocket Navy it is stepped — a precision relief cut, roughly 0.10" on the Army and 0.08" on the Pocket Navy, that drops the forward portion of that surface to clear the larger-diameter front section of a rebated cylinder. That step, modest in scale and invisible to a casual observer, is the mechanical key that allowed Colt to chamber a .44-caliber ball in a frame originally designed around a .36-caliber cylinder without enlarging the frame window.

The loading lever underwent its own independent evolution across the same period. The 1851 Navy used a hinge-type lever retained by a blade latch — simple, adequate for field use, but prone to dropping free under recoil and jamming the cylinder. By 1860 the creeping rack-and-pinion lever, already proven on the Dragoon, was adopted for the Army model and carried forward to the 1861 Navy. The 1862 Pocket Navy, however, reverted to the hinge pattern, reflecting the small frame's dimensional constraints and the civilian market's tolerance for the lighter-duty mechanism.

This reference guide documents all four models across twenty structural and dimensional parameters: water table type and step depth, cylinder geometry and rebate dimensions, loading lever pattern, barrel profile and length, grip frame configuration, overall length, and weight. A separate frame lineage table maps the genealogical relationships — which models share the same frame pattern, which dimensions were carried over unchanged, and where deliberate modifications were introduced. Dimension data derives from primary measurement records, period documentation, and published research on original production specimens; deviations found in modern Italian replicas by Pietta and Uberti are noted where they affect part compatibility or assembly dimensions.

Readers comparing original Colt production hardware to contemporary replicas should treat the nominal dimensions in this guide as a baseline against which individual specimens vary. Nineteenth-century manufacturing tolerances were hand-fitted to a degree that modern production does not replicate, and Italian makers have made documented changes to grip frames, cylinder bores, and lever geometry that can affect interchangeability. Where those deviations are significant they are called out explicitly in the relevant sections.

Individual Model Specifications

Detailed per-model specifications including water table type, cylinder geometry, and loading lever system

Water Table Anatomy

The water table is the flat surface of the frame beneath the cylinder. Unstepped models have a single flat surface; stepped models have a two-level surface with a machined relief cut at the front to accommodate a larger-diameter rebated cylinder.

Loading Lever Variations

Two distinct loading lever systems were used across these four models. The pattern follows design generat ion, not caliber.

Frame Lineage & Derivation

Colt's manufacturing philosophy used minimal additional machining — primarily the water table step cut — to adapt proven frame patterns for new calibers, allowing rapid model development from existing tooling

Master Comparison Table

All four models compared across 20 structural and mechanical dimensions. Bold colored values indicate notable departures from the baseline 1851 Navy pattern.

Technical Notes & Researcher Annotations

Frame Interchangeability

The 1851 Navy, 1860 Army, and 1861 Navy all share the same foundational "belt pistol" frame dimensions. A .36 Navy cylinder and barrel will generally mount on a 1860 Army frame due to shared tolerances — reflecting Colt's assembly-line manufacturing philosophy.

The water table step is the only material machining difference between 1851 and 1860 Army frame forgings. All other geometry is shared.

The Step Cut — Engineering Logic

When Colt enlarged the 1851 Navy from .36 to .44 caliber for the 1860 Army, the existing frame window was insufficient for the larger cylinder diameter. Rather than retooling the frame casting, Colt machined a step (relief cut) into the front of the water table — approximately 0.10" drop — allowing the larger-diameter front of the rebated cylinder to clear the frame. This same technique was applied at smaller scale to upsize the 1849 Pocket (.31 cal) for the 1862 Pocket Navy (.36 cal). The "creeping" step of the cylinder exterior matches the machined step in the water table.

1862 Pocket Navy vs. Pocket Police

Both 1862 pocket models share the stepped water table and rebated .36 cylinder on the 1849 Pocket frame. The critical distinction: the Pocket Navy retains the older hinge-style loading lever and octagonal barrel from the 1851 Navy aesthetic; the Pocket Police adopted the creeping lever and graceful barrel webbing from the 1860/1861 generation. Same frame, same step technology — two entirely different lever systems.

Cylinder Rebate Geometry (1860 Army)

On original Colt 1860 Armies, the cylinder bore transitions from .36 cal at the rear (nipple end) to .44 cal at the front (ball-seating end). This allows the rebated rear of the cylinder to fit within the smaller frame window while accepting a full-diameter .44 ball. Many modern replicas (Pietta, Uberti) bore the cylinder .44 straight through — a deviation from original geometry. Original Ø data: front 1.622" (41.2 mm), rebate 1.531" (38.9 mm).

Replica Maker Deviations

Pietta standardizes the 1860 Army and 1861 Navy grip frames to the same size — historically the Army grip was longer. Pietta's 1851 Navy grip more closely resembles the Army pattern than the original smaller Navy profile. Uberti cylinder front Ø for the 1860 Army ranges from 40.49–41.91 mm across production batches vs. originals at 41.15–41.23 mm. These deviations affect part interchangeability between makers and with original Colt parts.

Wedge & Arbor Compatibility

The barrel wedge used on Uberti 1851 Navy, 1860 Army, and 1861 Navy is cataloged as a single interchangeable part across all three models. The 1849 Pocket / 1862 Pocket Navy wedge is a smaller, separate part not interchangeable with the belt-pistol series. Dragoon wedges are distinct from all of the above. Mixing wedges across makers (Pietta, Uberti) may require light fitting due to individual frame slot variation.

Sources:

GUNS Magazine (J. Taffin) — Loading For Percussion Sixguns Part 2

Wikipedia — Colt Pocket Percussion Revolvers

Taylor's & Company — The Colt 1862 Pocket Navy Revolver

McDowell dimensional data via 1960nma.org (Colt 1860 Army measurements)

Buffalo Bill Center of the West — Powder Hour Blog: 1860 Army vs. 1861 Navy

CT Firearms Auction — Comparing Colt Revolvers

Forgotten Weapons — Colt 1862 Police Pocket Revolver

Fort Smith NHS / NPS — 1862 Colt Pocket Navy

The MOFRA Made Colt Paterson Replicas

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:08:51 GMT

MOFRA‑Made Colt Paterson Replica Details

Italian replica percussion revolvers have a tangled, fascinating lineage, and nowhere is that clearer than in the story of the MOFRA‑made Colt Patersons. These revolvers sit right at the beginning of the modern Paterson reproduction era and quietly shaped everything that came after—long before Uberti or Pietta ever offered their own versions.

In this post, I’ll walk through what we know about these early MOFRA Patersons, how to recognize them, and why they matter to collectors and historians.

Origin: MOFRA, Euromanufacture, and Replica Arms

MOFRA (Mainardi Officina Fabrica Replica Armi) was a small Italian firm in the Brescia/Gardone valley that entered the black‑powder replica business in the 1960s. Working in concert with the Mainardi brothers’ distribution company, Euromanufacture (often shortened to EIE and represented by a double‑diamond logo), MOFRA produced some of the very first modern Colt Paterson reproductions for the American market.

These guns were exported through Replica Arms Inc. of Marietta, Ohio. That three‑way relationship—MOFRA as maker, Euromanufacture as distributor, Replica Arms as U.S. importer—explains the somewhat busy rollmarks and proof clusters you see on genuine MOFRA Patersons.

Production Era and Variants

Dating evidence from Italian proof codes and documented examples places MOFRA Paterson production solidly in the mid‑1960s , with confirmed date codes such as XXII (1966) and later into the decade. That makes them the earliest wide‑distribution Paterson reproductions on the market.

Known features and variants:

· Caliber: predominantly .36, with some later experimental or converted examples reported.

· B arrel lengths: documented examples at 6", 7½", 9", and 12" , with the 6" and 12" barrels being markedly scarcer.

· Loading lever: none. These are true to the early Paterson pattern, relying on external loading tools.

· Cylinder: square‑back profile with an engraved scene, reflecting the 1st Model 1836 style rather than the later No. 5 “Texas” pattern with loading lever.

· Construction: typical 1960s Italian carbon‑steel construction with deep bluing and simple, functional wood grips (often in relatively plain beech or similar).

In other words, MOFRA wasn’t copying the later, more familiar loading‑lever Paterson that Uberti would popularize decades later; they were reaching back to the earliest Colt pattern and putting it into small‑batch production.

How to Identify a MOFRA Paterson

Because of subcontracting and the reuse of patterns, it’s easy to mis‑attribute early Italian Patersons. Correct identification rests on the combination of maker marks, import marks, and Italian proofs rather than any single feature .

1. The MOFRA Maker’s Mark

On documented examples, the word “MOFRA” appears in small uppercase letters, typically on a flat surface where it will not interfere with the Replica Arms rollmark. One very clear specimen shows MOFRA stamped on the underside of the barrel flat immediately in front of the frame, above the serial and proof cluster.

That subtle placement is characteristic of small Italian shops of the period: the importer’s name gets the prominent side‑barrel real estate, the maker tucks his mark into a secondary but permanent position.

2. Replica Arms Import Marking

On the right side of the barrel (occasionally the left on some runs), you should see a three‑line rollmark similar to:

· “Replica Arms Inc.”

· “Marietta – Ohio”

· “Made in Italy”

The font is small and fairly light, but rolled deeply enough to survive honest use. This marking ties the gun directly to the 1960s Replica Arms pipeline, predating the Navy Arms takeover .

3. Italian Proofs and Date Codes

MOFRA Patersons bear the usual Gardone/Brescia proof house markings:

· Star‑over‑shield proof.

· “PN” black‑powder proof.

· A Roman‑numeral date code .

For example, a revolver marked “XXII” in a small box is dated to 1966 by the Italian system. That date aligns nicely with what we know about Replica Arms’ catalog offerings in the same period and with other MOFRA‑connected pieces.

These proofs may appear on the frame ahead of the grip, on the barrel flats, or both, alongside the serial number. A complete recorded specimen with serial 504, MOFRA barrel stamp, Replica Arms rollmark, and an XXII date code gives us a firmly anchored point in the production timeline.

4. Serial Numbers

Observed serials on MOFRA Patersons are three‑digit numbers on the underside of the barrel and repeated on the grip frame. With the limited number of documented guns, it’s still unclear whether the sequence was continuous or segmented by barrel length, but the presence of numbers in the low hundreds suggests relatively small production.

Mechanical and Visual Details

While the marks tell us who made it, the mechanical design tells us what MOFRA was trying to emulate.

Key visual and mechanical cues:

· No loading lever. These revolvers are “true” Patersons in the sense that you must remove the barrel and cylinder to load, just as on the earliest Colts.

· V ery long, slender octagon barrels. The 12" version in particular creates an exaggerated fencing‑foil silhouette, but even the 7½" and 9" versions look noticeably sleeker than later Uberti designs with loading levers.

· Engraved cylinder scene. The cylinder carries a continuous scene reminiscent of original Patersons, adding an important period flavor even if the engraving style differs slightly from Colt’s.

· Simple, light‑colored grips. Many examples wear uncheckered, lightly finished wood grips, intentional or not giving them the look of “in‑the‑white” replacement stocks on surviving originals.

· Early Italian fit and finish. Expect decent machining but not the later high‑polish Uberti standard; there is often a slightly utilitarian feel that many collectors actually prize for authenticity.

For shooters who have only handled later loading‑lever Paterson reproductions, a MOFRA example feels more archaic and experimental—the way the real Paterson must have felt to 1830s users.

Why MOFRA Patersons Matter

From a historical and collecting standpoint, MOFRA Patersons punch far above their numerical weight.

First Wave of Modern Patersons

MOFRA’s mid‑1960s production predates Uberti’s dedicated Paterson projects by about two decades. These were the first widely imported Paterson‑pattern revolvers that American shooters and collectors could buy new. They reintroduced the design to a generation that had only seen it in books.

A Snapshot of the Gardone Subcontract Network

MOFRA exemplifies the small‑shop manufacturing model in the Gardone/Brescia valley. A modest workshop with a manufacturing license could build complete revolvers or major components, then feed them into a distribution chain (Euromanufacture) that in turn supplied U.S. importers (Replica Arms).

That structure explains why some early guns carry patterns or features that later show up under different brand names; the intellectual “DNA” circulated through a handful of craftsmen, jigs, and fixtures long before company names on boxes stabilized.

Reference Points for Collectors

Because documentation is thin and many guns are mis‑identified, getting solidly documented MOFRA Patersons with clear photos—showing:

· MOFRA barrel mark

· Replica Arms rollmark

· Italian date code

· Serial and proofs

These become reference specimens. They help anchor discussions of:

· How early the Italian Paterson revival really began.

· Which patterns (barrel lengths, cylinder styles) were in circulation by the mid‑1960s.

· How to distinguish MOFRA pieces from later Uberti or Palmetto examples that sometimes confused sellers and auction houses.

A thoroughly photographed revolver like the 1966‑dated, serial‑504 example provides a hard data point future researchers can triangulate from.

Collecting and Using MOFRA Patersons Today

For collectors, MOFRA Patersons sit in a sweet spot:

· Historically important as first‑wave reproductions.

· Scarce enough to be interesting but not so rare as to be unobtainable.

· Mechanically simple and robust enough that careful shooters can still enjoy them with appropriate black‑powder loads.

From a practical standpoint, anyone handling one of these guns should remember:

· T reat it as you would any early‑pattern Paterson: loading off the gun, thoughtful cylinder management, and a healthy respect for the original design’s quirks.

· Because many were shot hard in the 1960s–70s, condition varies widely; crisp proofs and legible MOFRA marks add real premium, not just trivia value.

For historians and writers, they’re a bridge between the obscure, one‑off custom reproductions of the early 20th century and the large‑scale, catalog‑driven replica industry that dominated from the 1970s onward.

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 23:27:13 GMT

The Replica Percussion Revolver Collectors Blog is a curated selection of articles offering insight into the replica manufacturing industry, detailing both past and current importers of replica revolvers into the United States, as well as the revolvers themselves and other pertinent historical data. Much of this content is based on the extensive research conducted by Dr. Jim Davis on the history of reproduction revolvers. His notes have been organized into writings designed to assist replica revolver collectors in their research efforts. Simply tap or click on any title link to access the specific article.

IN THE BEGINNING

"1 of 100 Test Guns" or “Stokes Kirk” Parts and the Percussion Reproduction Revolver Industry!

The Gun That Started It All

The Birth of the Reproduction Percussion Revolver Industry

Why Replica Revolvers Are Not Exact Copies of Originals

MANUFACTURERS/IMPORTERS/DISTRIBUTORS

Makers and Importers of Replica Revolvers

American Manufacturers of Replica Revolvers

Armi San Paolo, DGG and Euroarms

Centennial Arms "Italian Half Brothers"

Cimarron Firearms Story

Classic Arms International

Colt 2nd Generation Blackpowder Reproduction Revolvers

Colt 3rd Generation Signature Series Revolvers

EIG and FIE (Firearms Import & Export

Gregorelli and Uberti

MOFRA, Euromanufacture, Palmetto Connection

Navy Arms, Replica Arms and Cimarron Connection

Palmetto Replica Revolvers

The Quality of Replica Revolvers

COLLECTABLE REPLICA REVOLVERS

Collecting Replica Percussion Revolvers

Italian Year of Proof Codes

Identifying Replica Revolver Manufacturers/Importers/Distributors

1960 (1860) New Model Army Centaure

.31 Caliber Replica Revolvers

Bill EDUARDS Addressed Replicas

Brooklyn Bridge 1849 Colt Pocket Replica

Colt Paterson Replicas

Centennial Arms "Italian Half Brother" Replicas

Confederate Replica Revolvers

E. N. Santa Barbara (Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara de Industrias Militares S.A.)

High Standard Manufacturing Commemorative Replica Revolvers

J. H. Dance Brothers Confederate Replicas

“McCulloch Colt” Replica Revolvers

Schneider & Glassick "Accidental Replica" Revolvers

Tucker & Sherrard "Texas Dragoon" Replica Revolvers

Witloe Precision 1858 Remington Replicas

TUNING AND GUNSMITHING REPLICA REVOLVERS

.36 Caliber to .38 Caliber Conversions

Brass Frame Replica Revolvers

Chamfering Chamber Mouths

Colt Wedge Adjustment

Metal Fatigue on Replica Revolvers

Reaming Cylinder Camber Mouths

Repairing a Loose Arbor on a Colt Replica

Tuning Colt Open Top Revolvers

HISTORICAL REVOLVER RESOURCES

.44 Caliber Old Model Navy (OMN) Revolver

Colt Broadsheets with Loading Data for Original Revolvers

Colt Finishing of Original Revolver Grips

Confederate "Brass Frame" Revolver Metallurgy

Historical Use of Multiple Cylinders with Original Revolvers

Historical Use of Wads in Loading Original Revolvers

Confederate "Brass" Frame Revolver Metallurgy

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:43:45 GMT

A Technical Analysis of Alloy Composition

Introduction

The Confederate revolvers commonly described as having "brass" frames represent one of the most misunderstood aspects of Civil War firearms metallurgy. While contemporary sources and modern collectors routinely refer to these frames as "brass," this designation is technically inaccurate. The Confederate States of America employed a sophisticated bronze alloy—variously termed "gunmetal," "red brass," or "gun metal bronze"—that differs substantially from the simple brass alloys (copper-zinc) used in modern reproduction firearms. ^[1] ^[2]

The Gunmetal Alloy: Core Composition

Confederate manufacturers did not use true brass for revolver frames. Instead, they employed gunmetal , a ternary or quaternary bronze alloy consisting primarily of copper, tin, and zinc, with occasional additions of lead to improve casting characteristics. ^[2] ^[1]

Standard Gunmetal Formula

The typical composition of Confederate gunmetal followed established ordnance specifications that had evolved from cannon metallurgy:

· Copper: 80-88%

· Tin: 8-15%

· Zinc: 2-5%

· Lead: 0-2.5% (when added) ^[3] ^[1] ^[2]

The most commonly cited formulation approximates 88% copper, 10% tin, and 2% zinc, which closely matches British Admiralty gunmetal specifications. The U.S. Ordnance formula specified 88% copper, 8% tin, and 4% zinc. Confederate manufacturers appear to have worked within this range, though material shortages forced considerable variation. ^[4] ^[1] ^[2] ^[3]

The Lead Addition: Enhanced Castability

A critical but often overlooked component was lead, added specifically to improve the fluidity of molten metal during casting. Confederate manufacturers struggling with primitive foundry conditions used lead to compensate for inadequate casting equipment and inexperienced workers. The typical lead-enhanced formulation consisted of: ^[1] ^[2]

· Copper: 86%

· Tin: 9.5%

· Lead: 2.5%

· Zinc: 2% ^[2] ^[1]

The addition of lead served two purposes: it increased the metal's flow characteristics when molten, enabling better mold filling and sharper detail reproduction, and it improved machinability after casting. This explains why Confederate sources frequently referenced lead shortages—not only for bullets and cartridges, but also for frame casting. ^[5] ^[6] ^[1]

Material Sourcing and Compositional Variation

Church Bells as Raw Material

The romanticized narrative of Confederate church bells being melted for pistol frames contains substantial truth. Church and plantation bells provided a readily available source of bronze, though their composition differed from ideal gunmetal specifications. ^[7] ^[8] ^[9] ^[1]

Bell bronze (bell metal) typically consists of:

· Copper: 78%

· Tin: 22% ^[10] ^[11] ^[12] ^[13]

This higher tin content (22% versus 8-15%) made bell bronze considerably harder and more brittle than optimal gunmetal. Confederate foundries addressed this by adding copper to the melt to adjust the alloy closer to standard gunmetal specifications. However, material shortages meant that Confederate manufacturers often worked with whatever bronze sources were available, resulting in frames that varied from yellowish (higher zinc content) to reddish (higher copper content) depending on the specific batch. ^[14] ^[15] ^[9] ^[10] ^[1] ^[2]

Confederate Cannon Bronze

Confederate bronze cannons, particularly the ubiquitous Napoleon 12-pounder field guns, used a bronze composition of approximately:

· Copper: 90%

· Tin: 10% ^[16] ^[17] ^[10]

This cannon bronze, while closer to ideal gunmetal than bell metal, still required compositional adjustment for revolver frames. The capture of the Ducktown copper mines near Chattanooga by Union forces in November 1863 severely impacted Confederate bronze production, forcing increased reliance on recycled sources. ^[18] ^[17] ^[10]

Manufacturer-Specific Variations

Griswold & Gunnison

The most prolific Confederate revolver manufacturer, Griswold & Gunnison of Griswoldville, Georgia, produced approximately 3,600 revolvers between 1862 and 1864. Their frames exhibit considerable color variation, from yellow-bronze to reddish hues, reflecting the inconsistent source material blended in their foundry pots. ^[19] ^[20] ^[15] ^[9] ^[14] ^[7] ^[1]

The Griswold factory explicitly relied on church bell bronze from Macon, Georgia, mixed with other available copper sources. The resulting frames display the characteristic color inconsistency noted by contemporary inspectors and modern collectors. Original Griswold frames often appear more reddish than reproduction brass frames due to excess copper content in the alloy. ^[15] ^[14] ^[7] ^[1]

Spiller & Burr

Spiller & Burr revolvers, produced first in Atlanta and later at the Confederate government facility in Macon, Georgia (total production: 1,451 units), initially featured brass frames with silver electroplating. However, by mutual agreement between the manufacturers and the Richmond Arsenal, the silver plating was discontinued in January 1863 as it proved too thin and wore off unevenly. ^[21] ^[14] ^[15] ^[5]

Later production Spiller & Burr revolvers reportedly employed a valve bronze alloy composed of:

· Copper: (predominant)

· Zinc: (secondary)

· Lead: (significant addition)

· Nickel: (trace amounts) ^[5]

This valve bronze formulation, designed to enhance strength and casting properties, represents an innovative attempt to optimize the alloy for the specific stresses imposed by revolver operation. The frame composition varies from yellow to rose coloration depending on copper content, similar to Griswold & Gunnison production. ^[15] ^[5]

Schneider & Glassick:

Short of a lab report on one of the handful of surviving guns, the Schneider & Glassick story is more about type of alloy than exact percentages. The best we can do is identify the family of “gunmetals” they almost certainly used and how those differed from modern yellow‑brass reproductions.

There is no published, instrument‑grade composition for an original S&G frame.

Surviving documentation and comparative evidence indicate that the brass‑frame examples were cast from Confederate gunmetal / red‑brass bronzes —high‑copper Cu–Sn–Zn (often with some Pb)—rather than from simple Cu–Zn yellow brass.

Any specific percentage breakdown you see in print is an extrapolation from general 19th‑century gunmetal practice and from analyses of other Confederate and contemporary bronze‑frame arms, not from a measured Schneider & Glassick specimen.

Leech & Rigdon / Rigdon-Ansley

Contrary to popular assumption, Leech & Rigdon revolvers (total production estimated at 3,600 units) predominantly featured iron frames, not brass. Only the backstraps and small, rounded trigger guards were manufactured from brass. This represents a significant exception to the "Confederate brass frame" stereotype and demonstrates that when iron was available, it remained the preferred material. ^[22] ^[23] ^[24]

Dance Brothers

Dance Brothers revolvers, manufactured in Columbia, Texas, primarily used steel frames with brass trigger guards and backstraps, similar to the Leech & Rigdon pattern. The .44-caliber Dance revolvers followed Colt Dragoon dimensions but were lighter, and most examples feature steel frames rather than the brass construction often assumed for Confederate manufacturers. ^[25] ^[26] ^[27]

The few brass components (trigger guards and backstraps) on Dance revolvers were true brass or bronze castings, but the frames themselves were steel or iron when materials permitted. ^[27] ^[25]

Comparison: Original Confederate Alloys vs. Modern Reproductions

Modern Italian reproduction "brass frame" Confederate revolvers differ fundamentally from original gunmetal frames in both composition and properties.

Original Confederate Gunmetal

· Composition: Copper-tin-zinc bronze (80-88% Cu, 8-15% Sn, 2-5% Zn, 0-2.5% Pb)

· Color: Yellow-bronze to reddish, depending on copper content

· Hardness: Significantly harder than modern brass

· Tensile strength: 221-310 MPa ^[28]

· Casting: Excellent castability with period foundry technology ^[1] ^[2]

Modern Italian Reproduction "Brass"

· Composition: Simple brass (56% Cu, 44% Zn, 0% Sn) ^[2] ^[1]

· Color: Bright yellow brass

· Hardness: Substantially softer than gunmetal bronze

· Properties: Inferior strength and durability under firing stress ^[29] ^[1] ^[2]

X-ray fluorescent analysis of a Uberti reproduction Henry rifle frame revealed 56% copper and 44% zinc with no trace of tin—true brass rather than gunmetal bronze. This stark difference explains why original Confederate revolvers performed adequately in combat service while modern brass-framed reproductions suffer from frame stretching, arbor pin migration, and recoil shield battering when fired with full-power loads. ^[29] ^[1] ^[2]

Historical Winchester Model 1866 Analysis

Analysis of an original Winchester Model 1866 "Improved Henry" frame from 1868 provides valuable comparative data, as these firearms used similar gunmetal alloys:

· Copper: 83%

· Tin: 14.5%

· Zinc: 2%

· Lead: 0.5% ^[30] ^[1] ^[2]

This composition falls squarely within the Confederate gunmetal range and demonstrates the standard industrial practice of the period for bronze firearm frames. The Henry and Improved Henry rifles were never referred to as having "bronze frames" despite using bronze alloy, illustrating the linguistic confusion surrounding these materials. ^[1] ^[2]

Manufacturing Rationale: Why Bronze Instead of Iron?

Confederate manufacturers adopted bronze frames not solely due to iron shortages, but also because of significant manufacturing advantages in their limited industrial environment. ^[31] ^[32] ^[33] ^[34]

Casting Advantages

Bronze casting offered several critical benefits:

1. Lower melting point: Bronze melts at approximately 900-950°C, compared to 1,200-1,300°C for iron smelting ^[33] ^[35] ^[36]

2. Superior castability: Bronze flows readily when molten, filling complex mold details more completely ^[35] ^[33]

3. Reduced equipment requirements: Bronze casting required less sophisticated furnaces and foundry equipment ^[36] ^[31] ^[33]

4. Faster production: Cast bronze frames eliminated extensive milling and forging operations required for iron frames ^[34] ^[31]

Even when iron was available, bronze frames could be produced more rapidly by manufacturers with limited machine shop capacity and unskilled labor. Griswold & Gunnison, for instance, achieved consistent production of 135 revolvers per month (approximately five per day) once adequate bronze supplies were secured through the church bell campaign. ^[32] ^[8] ^[9] ^[31] ^[34]

Iron vs. Steel Availability

The persistent shortage of quality steel forced Confederate manufacturers to use "twisted iron" for cylinders instead of steel. This process involved heating and physically twisting iron bars to theoretically close pores and improve tensile strength, though metallurgist W.W. Greener later noted this actually embrittled the metal. Barrels were similarly made from wrought iron rather than steel when steel was unavailable. ^[20] ^[37] ^[38] ^[14]

The Confederacy possessed adequate iron ore deposits—sufficient for casting cannons and railroad iron—but lacked the industrial infrastructure to convert this ore into the high-grade steel required for small arms components. Bronze casting thus represented a pragmatic accommodation to industrial limitations rather than absolute material scarcity. ^[31] ^[33] ^[34]

Terminology and Historical Usage

The term "brass" when applied to Confederate revolvers represents a colloquial simplification rather than precise metallurgical designation. Period sources used several overlapping terms:

· Gunmetal: Technical ordnance term for copper-tin-zinc bronze alloy ^[4] ^[28] ^[2] ^[1]

· Red brass: American vernacular for gunmetal bronze, particularly with higher copper content ^[39] ^[4] ^[2] ^[1]

· Yellow bronze: Bronze with higher zinc content, appearing more yellow ^[9] ^[14]

· Gun metal bronze: Combined term emphasizing bronze nature of the alloy ^[9] ^[1]

· Brass: Colloquial term, technically incorrect but widely used ^[14] ^[1]

Confederate ordnance inspectors and manufacturers understood they were working with bronze alloys, not brass, though contemporary correspondence and contracts sometimes used "brass" as convenient shorthand. Modern collectors and historians have perpetuated this imprecise terminology, leading to widespread confusion about the actual metallurgy involved. ^[30] ^[14] ^[15] ^[9] ^[2] ^[1]

Metallurgical Properties and Performance

The gunmetal bronze used in Confederate revolvers possessed mechanical properties intermediate between true brass and steel:

Gunmetal Bronze Properties:

· Tensile strength: 221-310 MPa ^[28]

· Brinell hardness: 65-74 ^[28]

· Specific gravity: 8.7 ^[28]

· Corrosion resistance: Excellent, particularly against atmospheric corrosion ^[40] ^[28]

· Wear resistance: Inferior to phosphor bronze, adequate for revolver frame service ^[41]

These properties made gunmetal suitable for revolver frames when proper design considerations were observed. The Spiller & Burr design, for instance, strengthened the frame by eliminating the loading aperture slot and thickening the front section, specifically to compensate for bronze's lower tensile strength compared to iron. ^[15] ^[5]

The recoil stresses in a .36-caliber Navy-pattern revolver with period-correct 17-20 grain powder charges remained within gunmetal's working limits, though the softer bronze gradually work-hardened at stress points (particularly the recoil shield) over extended firing. Original Confederate revolvers show evidence of this work-hardening and gradual deformation at high-stress points, but rarely catastrophic failure. ^[29] ^[15] ^[1]

Conclusion

Confederate "brass frame" revolvers were manufactured from gunmetal bronze—a sophisticated ternary or quaternary alloy of copper (80-88%), tin (8-15%), zinc (2-5%), and sometimes lead (0-2.5%)—rather than the simple copper-zinc brass suggested by popular terminology. This gunmetal formulation derived from established ordnance bronze specifications developed for cannon casting and represented the standard industrial practice for non-ferrous firearm components during the mid-19th century. ^[3] ^[4] ^[2] ^[1]

Material sourcing from church bells, cannons, and other recycled bronze objects introduced significant compositional variation, resulting in frames ranging from yellow to reddish in color depending on the relative proportions of copper, tin, and zinc in any particular casting batch. Confederate manufacturers pragmatically worked with available materials, adjusting alloy compositions as necessary to achieve functional results despite inconsistent supply chains. ^[10] ^[14] ^[9] ^[15] ^[1]

The adoption of bronze frames reflected not only strategic material shortages but also rational manufacturing decisions given the South's limited industrial infrastructure. Bronze casting enabled faster production with less sophisticated equipment and labor compared to the forging and extensive machining required for iron frames. Modern reproduction "brass frame" revolvers using simple copper-zinc brass (56% Cu, 44% Zn) bear little metallurgical resemblance to original Confederate gunmetal frames and exhibit substantially inferior mechanical properties under firing stress. ^[33] ^[34] ^[31] ^[2] ^[1]

Understanding the true composition of Confederate revolver frames—gunmetal bronze rather than brass—corrects a persistent historical misconception and illuminates the sophisticated metallurgical knowledge applied by Southern ordnance officers and manufacturers working under extraordinary constraints. ^[3] ^[4] ^[2] ^[1]

FOOTNOTES

1. https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/showthread.php/9010-Brass-Framed-Revolvers-Myths-and-Myths-Part-4

2. https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/archive/index.php/t-9010.html

3. http://firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2014/10/metals-used-in-firearms-vi.html

4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunmetal

5. https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/a-look-back-at-the-spiller-burr-revolver/

6. https://www.adinathextrusion.com/copper-alloy-ingots/gun-metal-red-brass-bronze/rg5.html

7. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24847

8. https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/showthread.php/8981-Brass-Framed-revolvers-Myths-and-Realities-Part-2

9. https://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/military-forums/cavalry-artillery-forums/cavalry-camp-of-instruction/23487-confederate-brass-framed-revolvers-myths-and-realities-part-2

10. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/iusburj/article/download/19818/25895/43938

11. https://www.belmontmetals.com/product/bell-metal/

12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_metal

13. https://rotaxmetals.net/bronze-sheet-metal-facts-the-case-of-the-cracked-bell/

14. https://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/military-forums/cavalry-artillery-forums/cavalry-camp-of-instruction/23483-brass-frame-revolvers-realties-and-myths-part-1

15. https://www.littlegun.info/arme americaine/revolver confedere/a revolver confedere spiller gb.htm

16. https://peteskillman.com/2013/06/civil-war-artillery-bronze-guns/

17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1841_6-pounder_field_gun

18. https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettysburgwitnesstrees/posts/373802295499033/

19. https://www.historynet.com/confederate-brass-pistols/

20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1zVDRRUIew

21. https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/showthread.php/8970-Brass-Frame-Revolvers-Realties-and-Myths-Part-1

22. https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1995-B72-Variations-of-the-Leech-amp-Rigdon-Revol.pdf

23. https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2011-B103-Leech-and-Rigdon-Revisited.pdf

24. http://www.littlegun.info/arme americaine/revolver confedere/a revolver confedere leech gb.htm

25. https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2012-B106-44-Caliber-Flat-Frame-Dance-Revolvers.pdf

26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Rpeqltmuk

27. http://www.littlegun.info/arme americaine/revolver confedere/a revolver confedere dance gb.htm

28. https://stokesleymetalsltd.co.uk/non-ferrous-metals/gun-metal-red-brass/

29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3ITm7AkGx4

30. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads%2Fbrass-frame-revolvers.900146%2F

31. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads%2Fwhy-do-some-scare-people-away-from-brass-frames.656324%2Fpage-4

32. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/curiosity-regarding-confederate-brass-revolvers.20695/

33. https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=31636.0

34. https://www.atlantacutlery.com/small-arms-in-the-civil-war

35. https://www.gammafoundries.com/255-brass-or-bronze-which-is-better-for-casting-services/

36. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/aexgpk/if_iron_is_really_better_than_bronze_in_every_way/

37. https://www.forgottenweapons.com/griswold-gunnison-the-best-confederate-revolver-makers/

38. https://www.forgottenweapons.com/james-d-julia-confederate-spiller-burr-revolver-presentation/

39. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/brass-vs-steel-frame-revolvers.101218/page-2

40. https://www.britannica.com/technology/gunmetal

41. https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/articles/gunmetals-and-leaded-bronzes/

42. https://www.ccsutlery.com/store/civil-war-weapons-revolvers-pistols.html

The Quality of Replica Revolvers

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 20:59:57 GMT

Replica Revolver Manufacturer Quality

Among replica percussion revolver makers, the very best overall quality —judged by metallurgy, consistency, and match performance—belongs to two “arsenal‑grade” outliers: Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège (Centaure 1860 Army) and E.N. Santa Bárbara (1858 Remington New Army). Among currently active mass‑market manufacturers, Uberti generally edges out Pietta on overall refinement and historical fidelity, while Pietta is extremely close in quality and often better out of the box mechanically. ^[1][2][3][ ⁴ ^][5]

Defining “best quality”

For clarity, “best quality” here is narrowed to four dimensions that can be documented from period sources, proof‑house practice, and modern user reports:

· Metallurgy and proof standards (strength, durability) ^[3] ^[4]

· Dimensional consistency and machining (timing, cylinder gap, alignment) ^[2] ^[1]

· Historical fidelity of pattern and markings ^[1]

· Practical performance (accuracy, reliability, match record) ^[4] ^[1] ^[3]

Under those criteria, the Belgian Centaure and Spanish Santa Bárbara sit at the top historically, with Uberti and Pietta forming the modern “workhorse” tier just below.

Historical high‑end makers

Centaure (F.A.U.L., Belgium)

· F.A.U.L.’s Centaure 1860 Armies were proofed at Liège with heavy overcharges, and contemporary research confirms superior steel relative to Italian contemporaries and substantial parts interchangeability with 1st‑gen Colts. ^[3]

· Survey work on surviving guns concludes that, excluding the late “fall‑off” period, Centaures exhibit workmanship better than contemporary Italian reproductions, with a high quality level maintained into the early 1970s. ^[3]

E.N. Santa Bárbara (Spain)

· The Santa Bárbara 1858 New Army was built in a Spanish state arsenal using ordnance‑grade steel—the same steel used for MG3 machine‑gun production—which is significantly harder than the steels typically used by Italian replica makers. ^[7] ^[4]

· Period and modern accounts describe them as match‑grade revolvers: chamber and bore dimensions are carefully matched, accuracy is excellent, and there is no evidence of systemic production defects over the short run, with several Mariette‑match championship wins attributed to these guns. ^[8] ^[9] ^[4]

Taken together, these two manufacturers produced the highest‑spec replicas in terms of materials, proofing, and documented match performance, at the cost of higher production expense and limited catalog breadth. ^[4] ^[3]

Modern mass‑market leaders: Uberti vs. Pietta

General reputation and trends

· Modern discussions among competitive shooters and reenactors consistently treat Uberti and Pietta as broadly comparable, with Uberti traditionally seen as slightly more refined and historically correct, and Pietta as offering excellent value and often better “out‑of‑the‑box” function. ^[10] ^[5] ^[1]

· Some experienced users report that Pietta used to lag Uberti in fit/finish and parts durability, but that current production has largely closed this gap, making the choice more a matter of pattern, price, and individual sample than a sharp hierarchy. ^[5] ^[2]

Overall, modern Uberti tends to “win” if the criterion is refinement and historical fidelity , while modern Pietta often “wins” on value and out‑of‑box shootability , with quality close enough that sample‑to‑sample variation can outweigh brand differences. ^[1] ^[10] ^[5]

Where “best quality” sits by use‑case

For the collector or historian

· Centaure 1860 Army: Highest historical interest among replicas due to close Colt dimensional relationship, Liège proofing, and period documentation of superior steel and workmanship versus contemporary Italians. ^[14] ^[3]

· E.N. Santa Bárbara 1858: A finite, state‑arsenal product line with ordnance‑grade steel and a confirmed match pedigree, making it arguably the best‑quality Remington‑pattern reproduction ever offered commercially. ^[9] ^[4]

For the serious shooter today

· Uberti: Best choice where period look and refined cosmetics matter as much as function—living‑history work, close visual comparison with originals, or users who want minimal visible warnings and better grip inletting. ^[12] ^[11] ^[1]

· Pietta: Best choice where cost‑to‑performance matters most and the user is comfortable inspecting for, and correcting, occasional defects; many report that a well‑sorted Pietta will run side‑by‑side with Uberti in accuracy and reliability at lower purchase cost. ^[10] ^[5] ^[1]

Bottom‑line ranking (quality focus)

On a pure‑quality axis, abstracting away availability and price, the article’s evidence supports roughly this hierarchy:

1. Centaure (F.A.U.L.) 1860 Army – top‑tier steel and workmanship relative to 1960s contemporaries, with proof‑house backing and strong collector consensus. ^[14] ^[3]

2. E.N. Santa Bárbara 1858 New Army – ordnance‑grade steel, very tight chamber/bore control, documented match success, and consistent production. ^[7] ^[9] ^[4]

3. Modern Uberti – best blend of historical fidelity, fit/finish, and reliability among current large‑scale makers. ^[2] ^[5] ^[1]

4. Modern Pietta – extremely close behind Uberti; slightly rougher cosmetics and more variable QC on small parts, offset by better price and often excellent out‑of‑box function. ^[5] ^[1] ^[2]

Within each tier, individual examples and specific model runs can deviate, but taken as manufacturers, those are the makers whose products most consistently meet a high standard of replica revolver quality in the historical and modern record.

Which replica revolver models are most reliable for shooting

Among commonly available cap‑and‑ball replicas, the most reliably shootable models tend to be Uberti’s and Pietta’s 1858 Remington New Army–pattern revolvers, followed by their full‑size Colt 1860 Army and 1851/1861 Navy patterns, with a historical “gold standard” tier occupied by Centaure 1860 Armies and E.N. Santa Bárbara 1858s. ^[21] ^[22] ^[23] ^[24]

Most reliable patterns by design

· 1858 Remington New Army (top‑strap design) is widely regarded as inherently more robust and tolerant of heavy use than open‑top Colt designs, thanks to the enclosed frame and simple cylinder‑swap procedure. ^[25] ^[26]

· Colt 1860 Army / 1851–1861 Navy patterns can be extremely reliable when properly timed and with good nipples, but are somewhat more prone to cap‑debris issues and frame‑window fouling under high round counts than the Remington pattern. ^[27] ^[21]

Most reliable current‑production models

· Many comparative tests and user reports give a slight reliability edge to Uberti over Pietta overall, especially once tuned, with good ignition, consistent lockwork, and better small‑parts durability, though both brands are fully serviceable for regular shooting. ^[28] ^[29] ^[21]

· For under roughly the mid‑hundreds of dollars, experienced shooters often single out Pietta’s 1858 Remington “target” models as especially accurate and reliable, with very good barrel–cylinder gaps from the factory. ^[22] ^[30] ^[31]

Historically top‑tier “arsenal‑grade” replicas

· Centaure 1860 Army (Belgium) revolvers were built of harder steel, with bottomed arbors and carefully controlled dimensions; contemporary research and modern shooting reports describe them as exceptionally durable and dependable shooters compared to 1960s Italian contemporaries. ^[23] ^[32] ^[33]

· E.N. Santa Bárbara 1858 New Army (Spain) used modern heat‑treated chrome‑moly alloy steels rather than low‑alloy mild steels typical of many reproductions, and are widely praised as extremely accurate, durable, and mechanically reliable match guns. ^[34] ^[35] ^[24]

Practical reliability tips (model‑independent)

· Across brands and models, reliability in cap‑and‑ball revolvers improves dramatically with upgraded nipples, better springs, and basic action slick‑up; one long‑form comparison notes that both Uberti and Pietta become very reliable once fitted with quality aftermarket cones and proper springs. ^[31] ^[21]

· For hard, frequent shooting, many experienced users therefore choose a Remington 1858 pattern from Uberti or Pietta (or, when available, Santa Bárbara), then invest in minor tuning and nipple upgrades rather than chasing a specific “perfect” model. ^[24] ^[21] ^[25]

Summary

Based on comprehensive research into replica percussion revolver manufacturers and shooting reliability, here are the key conclusions:

Quality Rankings (All-Time)

The highest-quality replicas ever produced were the Centaure 1860 Army (Belgium) and E.N. Santa Bárbara 1858 New Army (Spain), which were built to arsenal standards using superior steels and documented match-grade accuracy. Among current mass-market manufacturers, Uberti edges out Pietta on overall refinement and historical fidelity, while Pietta offers comparable reliability at lower cost.

Most Reliable Models for Shooting

The 1858 Remington New Army pattern is inherently the most robust design due to its top-strap frame and simpler maintenance. Among current production, Uberti's 1858 Remington offers the best reliability straight from the factory, while Pietta's target-grade 1858 models deliver exceptional out-of-the-box accuracy at better value. Both brands become highly reliable with minor tuning (upgraded nipples, springs, action polishing). The historical Centaure and E.N. Santa Bárbara remain unmatched for durability and match performance.

Practical Recommendation

For typical shooting, either Uberti or Pietta in the 1858 Remington pattern will serve well; the choice hinges on whether you prioritize cosmetic refinement (Uberti) or cost efficiency (Pietta). For collecting or historical recreation, seek out surviving Centaure or Santa Bárbara examples when available, as these represent the pinnacle of replica revolver manufacturing quality and durability.

References:

1. https://blackpowderguide.com/pietta-versus-uberti-comparison/

2. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads%2Fdo-piettas-have-the-same-problems-as-ubertis.884477%2F

3. https://1960nma.org/chapter-2/2-9-production-of-the-centaures/

4. https://www.capandballrevolvers.com/e-n-santa-barbara-1858-remington-new-army

5. https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F269191-uberti-vs-pietta%2F

6. https://gunsamerica.com/digest/the-belgian-colts-shooting-the-historically-challenged-centaure-1860-army-colt/

7. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/just-picked-up-a-santa-barbara-1858.170075/

8. https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=61856.0

9. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads%2Fremington-1858-repros.875984%2F

10. https://www.reddit.com/r/blackpowder/comments/1guf6er/uberti_vs_pietta/

11. https://ar15.com/forums/Handguns/Pietta-vs-Uberti/33-205697/

12. https://www.facebook.com/groups/803026640038169/posts/1927411827599639/

13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i61fANxk_w

14. https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538322

15. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/pietta-vs-centaur.160432/page-2

16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re2Qo0EHbtQ

17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOvAQVTlGxg

18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtJAYVVH464

19. https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=46509.0

20. https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/r0vc3v/centaure_belgian_copy_of_colt_44_cal_1860_army_5/

21. https://blackpowderguide.com/pietta-versus-uberti-comparison/

22. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/best-cap-and-ball-revolver-under-500.118516/

23. https://1960nma.org/chapter-2/2-6-total-production-in-perspective/

24. https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=61856.0

25. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads%2Fmore-reliable-remington-or-colt-cast-your-vote-n-tell-why.929413%2Fpage-2

26. https://www.reddit.com/r/blackpowder/comments/11tc834/1851_vs_1858_what_are_pros_and_cons_of_each_is_it/

27. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/inherent-accuracy-of-the-1860.77677/

28. https://www.reddit.com/r/blackpowder/comments/u86psh/pietta_or_uberti/

29. https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F295044-1851-navy-capball-revolver-pietta-vs-uberti-updated-wphotos%2F

30. https://muzzle-loaders.com/collections/black-powder-revolver-pistols

31. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/uberti-replica-remington-1858-nma-accuracy.120941/

32. https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/r0vc3v/centaure_belgian_copy_of_colt_44_cal_1860_army_5/

33. https://gunsamerica.com/digest/the-belgian-colts-shooting-the-historically-challenged-centaure-1860-army-colt/

34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apECMvnOHNE

35. https://www.facebook.com/groups/949591156760652/posts/1164281925291573/

36. https://www.facebook.com/groups/247150769193328/posts/417808195460917/

37. https://www.uberti-usa.com/uberti-usa-quality-firearm-replicas

38. https://www.capandballrevolvers.com/collecting-the-1960-1860-new-model-army-centaure

39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pArSoI91PI8

40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re2Qo0EHbtQ

Repairing a Loose Arbor on a Colt Open Top Replica Revolver

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:26:06 GMT

Steps in Repairing a Colt Open Top Replica Loose Arbor

This procedure addresses a loose arbor-to-frame connection on Colt Open Top replicas (1851, 1860, 1871-72, etc.). In this scenario, the arbor threads are loose within the standing breech (recoil shield), causing side-to-side or up and down wobble or rotation, which degrades accuracy and can lead to mechanical failure.

There are two primary methods for repair: the Factory-Style Restoration (cleaning, retorquing, and re-pinning) and the Set Screw Modification (a more durable, shooter-grade fix).

Method 1: The Factory-Style Restoration (Loctite & Re-Pin)

This method restores the revolver to its original mechanical configuration but uses modern adhesives to compensate for thread tolerance issues.

1. Removal

Locate the Pin: Identify the transverse retaining pin at the rear of the frame (usually driven through the frame and arbor threads). (Fig. 1)

Drive Out: Drive the pin out (typically left-to-right, but check your specific model; some Piettas use a blind pin or purely friction fit, though most have a visible pin). (Fig. 2)

Unscrew: Remove the arbor. If it is loose , it may unscrew by hand. If stubborn, use a strap wrench or a padded vise on the unthreaded shaft—never use pliers that will mar the surface.

2. Clean and Prep

Degrease: Thoroughly clean the frame threads and arbor threads with acetone or brake cleaner. Remove all old oil, grease, and factory thread locker.

Dry Fit & Index Check: Screw the arbor back in dry until it bottoms out against the frame shoulder. Check the alignment of the wedge slot .

Scenario A (Over-rotation): The arbor tightens, but the wedge slot rotates past vertical (e.g., to 1 or 2 o'clock). Fix: You must fabricate a thin metal shim (washer) to place between the arbor shoulder and the frame to stop rotation exactly at vertical.

Scenario B (Under-rotation): The arbor tightens before the slot reaches vertical (e.g., 10 or 11 o'clock). Fix: Carefully face off the rear shoulder of the arbor (using a lathe or meticulous filing) to allow it to screw in further until the slot aligns perfectly.

3. Final Assembly

Apply Locker: Apply a high-strength thread locker such as Red Loctite (271) or Rocksett to the threads.

Torque: Screw the arbor in until tight and perfectly indexed (wedge slot vertical).

Re-Pin:
If the original pin hole aligns perfectly, reinstall the pin (add Loctite).
If the hole alignment has shifted due to re-indexing, you must run a reamer or appropriate drill bit through the assembly and install a slightly oversized retaining pin to ensure a solid mechanical lock. (Fig. 2)

Method 2: The Set Screw Modification (The "Gunsmith" Fix)

This is often preferred by competitive shooters (CAS) because it positively locks the arbor threads against the frame without relying solely on the transverse pin or thread locker, allowing for easier future removal. This method is a bit more complicated and may require a trained gunsmith to perform.

1. Drill the Frame

Remove the trigger guard and loading lever assembly.

In the water table (the flat milled area on the bottom of the frame, forward of the trigger guard), locate a spot centered under the threaded portion of the arbor hole.

Drill a hole vertically through the water table into the arbor thread channel. (Size depends on your chosen screw, typically for a #6-32 or #8-32 set screw).

2. Tap the Hole

Tap the hole with the appropriate bottoming tap.

3. Install the Arbor

Follow the Clean and Prep steps from Method 1 to ensure the arbor threads are clean and the shoulder allows for perfect indexing.

Apply Blue Loctite (removable) or Red Loctite (permanent) to the arbor threads if desired, though the set screw makes this less critical.

Screw the arbor in until it is tight and the wedge slot is perfectly vertical.

4. Lock it Down

Insert a hardened Allen-head set screw into your new hole in the water table.

Tighten it firmly. The screw will bite into the threads or the shank of the arbor, pushing it upward and locking it aggressively against the frame threads.

Optional: For a non-marring fit, drop a small piece of lead shot or brass rod into the hole before the set screw to act as a buffer between the screw and the arbor threads.

Ensure that after this repair, your barrel assembly still seats fully against the frame (water table/pins) before the end of the arbor bottoms out in the barrel hole. If tightening the arbor into the frame moved it backward (deeper into the frame), you may have inadvertently created a short arbor situation. Verify by assembling the barrel without the wedge; if there is a gap between the barrel and frame when the arbor bottoms out, drop a small shim (washer) into the barrel's arbor hole to restore proper contact.

The Finishing of Original Colt Revolver Grips: 1836-1873

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 22:46:01 GMT

The Finishing of Original Colt Revolver Grips from 1836 to 1873

Introduction

The finishing methods employed on original Colt percussion and early cartridge revolvers represent an important but often overlooked aspect of 19th-century firearms manufacturing. From Samuel Colt's first Patent Arms Manufacturing Company in Paterson, New Jersey through the adoption of the Single Action Army in 1873, the treatment of wooden grip panels evolved alongside manufacturing techniques and market demands. This article examines the materials, methods, and distinctions in grip finishing practices during this formative period of American firearms production.

Wood Selection and Preparation

Early Paterson Period (1836-1842)

The earliest Colt Paterson revolvers featured one-piece wooden grips with a distinctive flared or "bell-shaped" profile. [^1] These grips were crafted from American black walnut (Juglans nigra), a domestic hardwood that was readily available and well-suited to the demands of firearms manufacturing.[^2] The Paterson grips were notable for their ergonomically challenging design, which would be refined in subsequent models.

The wood used in this early period was air-dried to appropriate moisture content, following traditional practices that predated industrial kiln-drying methods. American black walnut possessed desirable characteristics including moderate density, workability, and natural resistance to splitting under recoil forces.[^3]

Hartford Era Woods (1847-1873)

Following Colt's relocation to Hartford, Connecticut and the establishment of his factory on the banks of the Connecticut River in the 1850s, the company continued to utilize American black walnut as the primary grip material.[^4] By the 1860s, Colt had developed sophisticated manufacturing processes under the direction of engineer Elisha K. Root, including standardized patterns and gauges that allowed for interchangeable parts—a revolutionary concept at the time. [^5]

The one-piece walnut grips fitted to the Walker (1847), Dragoon series (1848-1860), Navy Model 1851, Army Model 1860, and Navy Model 1861 all shared similar wood selection criteria.[^6] The wood was selected for relatively straight grain and freedom from defects, though it lacked the highly figured characteristics often seen in fine sporting arms of the period. Military contract revolvers in particular featured plain, serviceable walnut suitable for mass production.

Finishing Methods and Materials

The Question of Oil versus Varnish

The finishing of Colt revolver grips during the percussion era has been a subject of considerable discussion among collectors and historians. The evidence suggests that Colt employed different finishing methods depending on whether firearms were destined for military or civilian markets, though the distinction was not absolute.

Military Contracts: Oil Finish

Revolvers produced under military contract, including the vast majority of the approximately 129,730 Model 1860 Army revolvers purchased by the U.S. Government during and after the Civil War, featured grips finished with boiled linseed oil.[^7] This finish was applied in multiple thin coats, with each coat hand-rubbed into the wood and allowed to cure before the next application.[^8]

The oil finishing process, while time-consuming, offered several advantages for military use:

1. Simplicity of application : Linseed oil could be applied without specialized equipment

2. Repairability : Field damage could be touched up with readily available materials

3. Durability in service : The oil penetrated deeply into the wood grain, providing protection from within rather than forming a surface film

4. Cost effectiveness : Boiled linseed oil was inexpensive and readily available

The "boiled" linseed oil used in this period was actually raw linseed oil that had been heated to high temperatures (approximately 270°C) for several hours, causing partial polymerization and the addition of metallic driers to accelerate curing.[^9] This created an oil that would dry more completely than raw linseed oil, though it still cured to a relatively soft finish compared to true varnishes.

The resulting appearance was a low-luster, semi-matte surface that darkened the walnut slightly and enhanced the grain pattern without creating a glossy surface.[^10] Military-inspected grips often bore cartouche marks stamped into the wood before finishing, and these marks remained clearly visible through the thin oil finish.[^11]

Civilian Market: Varnish Finish

For revolvers sold on the civilian market, Colt employed what period sources describe as a "varnished" finish, though this term requires careful interpretation within the context of 19th-century finishing practices.[^12] The varnishes used were not the quick-drying spirit varnishes (shellac-based) that would become common later, but rather what were known as "long-oil varnishes" or "fat varnishes."

These varnishes were composed of:

1. Linseed oil base : The predominant component, often comprising 60-70% of the mixture
2. Natural resins : Including materials such as copal, rosin, or mastic

3. Turpentine : Used as a thinner and to improve flow characteristics

4. Drying agents : Metallic compounds to accelerate curing

The manufacturing process involved heating linseed oil to very high temperatures and then dissolving pulverized resins into the hot oil, creating a chemical combination rather than a simple mixture.[^13] This process produced a finish that was more durable than pure linseed oil while retaining much of oil's desirable handling characteristics and deep penetration into the wood.

Period finishing manuals and gunmaking texts from the 18th and 19th centuries describe numerous formulations for oil varnishes, many of which would have been suitable for firearms finishing.[^14]

A representative formula from the mid-19th century might call for:

• 1 pound of boiled linseed oil, heated until it would scorch a feather

• 2-3 ounces of powdered resin (sandarac, copal, or rosin)

• Turpentine to thin to working consistency

• Small amounts of metallic driers

The resulting varnish was applied in thin coats, with each coat allowed to dry thoroughly (often several days) before the next application.[^15] Between coats, the surface might be lightly rubbed with fine abrasives to level the finish and fill the wood grain. This technique, sometimes called "French polishing" when done with shellac, created a lustrous semi-gloss appearance that was more refined than the military oil finish.

Contemporary accounts suggest that civilian Colt revolvers typically received 3-5 coats of varnish, resulting in a finish that was notably glossy when new but would develop a rich patina with use.[^16] One period source specifically mentions that varnished grips on Colt revolvers had a reddish-amber cast, which was characteristic of linseed oil-based varnishes that had been lightly tinted with red pigments to enhance the natural color of the walnut.[^17]

Regional Variations: The London-Made Colts

Between 1853 and 1857, Colt established a factory in London, England, primarily to serve European markets and avoid British import restrictions.[^18] The London-made revolvers, particularly the Model 1851 Navy, featured distinctive characteristics that extended to their grip finishing.

London-made Colts received what was known in British gunmaking circles as the "London Finish"—a labor-intensive process involving many coats of boiled linseed oil, each one forcefully hand-rubbed into the wood over a period of weeks or months.[^19] This finish was highly regarded among European gunmakers and was standard on fine British sporting guns produced by makers such as Purdey, Holland & Holland, and others.

The London finish differed from both the Hartford military oil finish and the civilian varnish finish in its emphasis on extended curing time and the physical working of each coat into the wood through vigorous hand-rubbing, which generated heat and helped the oil penetrate more deeply.[^20] The result was an extremely durable finish with a soft, hand-polished sheen rather than a glossy surface film.

Application Techniques

Grip Fitting and Pre-Finish Preparation

Colt's manufacturing process called for grips to be fitted to the revolver frame before any finishing operations were performed.[^21] The grips were shaped, inletted for proper fit around the grip frame and backstrap, and final-sanded before being removed for finishing. This ensured a precise fit between the metal and wood components.

The pre-finish preparation involved:

1. Scraping and rough sanding : Initial shaping with files, scrapers, and coarse abrasives

2. Progressive sanding : Working through successively finer grits, typically ending around 220-320 grit equivalent using period abrasive papers or powdered stones

3. Grain raising : Dampening the wood with water or dilute alcohol solutions, allowing it to dry, and then sanding off the raised grain fibers—a process repeated 2-3 times[^22]

4. Final smoothing : Using very fine abrasives or simply burnishing with hardwood blocks or horn

Oil Finish Application Process

For military contract revolvers, the oil finishing process followed these general steps:

1. First coat : Liberal application of boiled linseed oil to all surfaces, allowing the wood to absorb as much as possible for 10-15 minutes

2. Wiping : Removal of all excess surface oil with clean rags, leaving only what had penetrated the wood

3. Curing : Allowing 3-5 days for the oil to polymerize and harden

4. Additional coats : Repeating the process 3-6 times until the wood would accept no more oil

5. Final polishing : After complete curing (often 2-4 weeks), the surface could be buffed with fine abrasives or simply burnished with bare hands to create a subtle sheen

The resulting finish penetrated deeply but built very little surface film, leaving the wood's natural texture largely unchanged.[^23]

Varnish Finish Application Process

The varnish finishing process for civilian revolvers was more complex:

1. Sealer coat : A thinned mixture of varnish (50% varnish, 50% turpentine) applied liberally and allowed to penetrate

2. Grain filling : Application of full-strength varnish, sometimes mixed with fine pumice or rottenstone to fill the wood's pores, then wiped clean across the grain

3. Build coats : 2-4 coats of full-strength varnish, each allowed to cure 3-5 days

4. Leveling : Light sanding between coats with very fine abrasives to remove dust nibs and level the surface

5. Final coat : A carefully applied thin coat of varnish, allowed to flow out and self-level

6. Rubbing out : After full curing (2-4 weeks), the surface could be rubbed with fine abrasives (pumice, rottenstone) and oil, then polished to the desired sheen

This process could take several weeks to complete and resulted in a notably more refined appearance than the oil finish. [^24]

Color and Staining Practices

Most Colt grips received minimal or no staining prior to finishing, relying on the natural color of the walnut and the slight darkening effect of the oil or varnish itself.[^25] When stains were used, they consisted of earth pigments or natural dyes dissolved in alcohol or oil, applied very sparingly to even out color variations in the wood.

Some evidence suggests that red or reddish-brown pigments were occasionally added to varnish mixtures for civilian revolvers, giving them a warmer, more amber-toned appearance.[^26] This practice was more common in fine furniture finishing of the period and may have been reserved for higher-grade or specially-ordered revolvers.

The Single Action Army Era (1873)

With the introduction of the Colt Single Action Army in 1873, grip finishing practices continued largely unchanged from the late percussion era.[^27] Military-contract SAA revolvers received oil-finished one-piece walnut grips similar to their Model 1860 Army predecessors, while civilian models could be ordered with varnished grips or, for additional cost, more exotic materials such as ivory or pearl.[^28]

The standard military SAA featured:

• Case-hardened frame, hammer, and loading gate

• Blued barrel, cylinder, and ejector housing

• Brass trigger guard and backstrap (often nickel-plated)

• One-piece smooth walnut grip with oil finish[^29]

Civilian variants offered more options, including fully nickel-plated examples that typically featured varnished or polished grips to complement the bright metal finish.[^30]

Maintenance and Patina Development

Both oil and varnish finishes on original Colt revolvers were intended to be maintained through periodic application of protective materials. Military manuals and civilian shooting guides of the period recommended occasional treatment with oils, waxes, or both.[^31]

A common maintenance mixture consisted of:

• 1 part boiled linseed oil

• 1 part beeswax

• 1 part turpentine (as a solvent)

This mixture would be warmed, applied sparingly to the grips, and buffed to a soft sheen.[^32] Such maintenance helped preserve the finish and replace oils lost through handling.

Over time, well-used original Colt grips developed a distinctive patina—a combination of oxidized finish, accumulated oils from hands, compressed surface fibers from handling, and subtle color changes from light exposure. This patina is now highly valued by collectors as evidence of honest wear and authentic originality.[^33]

Differences Between Original and Modern Reproductions

Modern Italian-made reproductions of Colt percussion revolvers, while mechanically quite faithful, typically feature grips finished quite differently from originals. The most notable difference is the bright red or orange tinted, high-gloss finish commonly applied to replica grips.[^34] This finish, which uses modern polyurethane or catalyzed lacquers often over European walnut rather than American black walnut, creates an appearance that would have been impossible with period materials and techniques.

Ironically, despite being derided by many collectors as inauthentic, the color of modern Italian replica grips is actually closer to some original varnished Colt grips than many realize—the difference lies primarily in the excessive gloss rather than the color itself.[^35] Original varnished grips would have had a similar reddish-amber cast but with a much more subtle, hand-rubbed sheen rather than the mirror-like gloss of modern finishes.

Conclusion

The finishing of Colt revolver grips from 1836 to 1873 reflected both the practical demands of firearms manufacturing and the aesthetic preferences of the period. Military contract arms received straightforward, durable oil finishes that prioritized function and ease of maintenance. Civilian market revolvers often featured more refined varnish finishes that enhanced the appearance of the walnut while still providing adequate protection.

Understanding these historical finishing practices provides valuable insight into 19th-century manufacturing methods and helps collectors and restorers make informed decisions about the treatment of antique firearms. The distinction between oil and varnish finishes, while sometimes blurred by the "long-oil varnish" formulations that combined characteristics of both, represents an important aspect of original Colt revolver configuration that deserves recognition alongside more commonly discussed features such as barrel markings, serial numbers, and mechanical variations.

References and Footnotes

[^1]: "Colt Paterson Revolver," The Armourers Bench, June 16, 2018. The Paterson revolvers' distinctive flared pistol grips were a characteristic feature of both belt and holster models.

[^2]: American black walnut (Juglans nigra) was the domestic species available to American gunmakers and differed from the European walnut (Juglans regia) used by British and Continental makers. American walnut typically had a more open grain and porous structure than its European counterparts.

[^3]: "The Enduring Appeal of Walnut Grips and Gunstocks," Hunting Retailer, October 15, 2024. American walnut has larger pores and is typically softer than European varieties but remains suitable for firearms applications.

[^4]: "The Colt Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company," Connecticut History, January 12, 2025. Samuel Colt built his first Hartford factory in 1848, with a larger facility (the Colt Armory) completed in 1855 on the banks of the Connecticut River.

[^5]: "Samuel Colt...and sewing machines? - part 1," Smithsonian National Museum of American History, June 5, 2012. Elisha K. Root, as chief mechanic, developed specialized machine tools and precise inspection gauges that enabled true interchangeability of parts.

[^6]: "Samuel Colt and His Legendary Model 1860 Army Revolver," Varnum Continentals, September 28, 2024. The Varnum's Model 1860 features walnut grips, though some were produced with more ornate materials including ivory.

[^7]: "Colt Army Model 1860," Wikipedia, updated December 6, 2005. The US Government purchased no less than 129,730 Model 1860 Army revolvers, making it the most widely used revolver of the Civil War.

[^8]: "Original finish on Colt percussion grips?" The High Road forum, January 22, 2015. Period military finishing practices emphasized simple oil finishes for ease of field maintenance.

[^9]: "What I learned making historic varnishes," Australian Wood Review, May 6, 2025. Traditional varnish-making involved heating linseed oil to 270°C for three hours before adding resins

[^10]: "What was the original method to finish wood grips on a Remington 1858?" Reddit r/blackpowder, November 17, 2023. Original grips and stocks were finished with linseed oil that created a more natural, less glossy appearance.

[^11]: "Martially inspected Colt Model 1860 Army percussion revolver," Antique American Firearms. The one-piece walnut grips are oil finished with military cartouche marks present on both sides.

[^12]: "Original finish on Colt percussion grips?" The High Road forum, January 22, 2015. Forum discussion noting that civilian guns were finished in varnish while military guns were oiled.

[^13]: "18th Century Gun finishes - the art and mystery of varnish," American Longrifles forum, May 5, 2010. Historical varnish-making involved cooking resins with heated oils to create chemical combinations rather than simple mixtures.

[^14]: "Finish for reproduction of 1730's table," Fine Woodworking forum, April 1, 2005. Period formulas from 1550-1725 show the range of varnish recipes using linseed oil and various natural resins.

[^15]: "Oil Finishes: Their History and Use," Popular Woodworking, May 19, 2015. Traditional oil-varnish application involved thin coats with several days of curing between applications.

[^16]: "Traditional Varnish info," Muzzleloading Forum, posted by user citing Muzzle Blasts article. Historical evidence suggests that varnished firearms received multiple coats for build-up and protection.

[^17]: "grip varnish question," Historic Shooting Forums, July 8, 2022. Discussion of amber violin varnish with red powder stain added to match original Colt grips.

[^18]: "THE LONDON-MADE '51 COLT NAVY WITH A COMPARISON TO HARTFORD MODELS," American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin. Colt's London factory operated from 1853-1857, producing revolvers for European markets.

[^19]: "The London Finish," Covington & Sons Tools, October 29, 2021. The traditional London Finish consisted of many coats of boiled linseed oil forcefully hand-rubbed into the wood over weeks.

[^20]: Ibid. The manual application technique using warm, bare hands generated heat that helped oil penetrate deeply into the wood.

[^21]: "New Grips for an Original Colt 1860 Army Revolver," YouTube video, August 20, 2025. Original grips were fitted and finished before the revolver was blued and polished, ensuring perfect fit to grip straps.

[^22]: "Traditional Oil Stock Finishing," Shooters' Forum, November 11, 2023. The process of raising grain with dampening solutions and sanding was repeated to achieve maximum smoothness.

[^23]: "Refinishing the 1847 Walker and percussion pistols," Muzzleloading Forum, August 31, 2020. Discussion of traditional oil finish application methods for percussion revolvers.

[^24]: "Finishing a Cap and Ball Revolver," GunsAmerica Digest, September 5, 2023. The author notes using Tru-Oil (mostly linseed oil) to create a nice shine, uncertain of Colt's exact historical method but assuming some type of shellac.

[^25]: "Refinishing Wood Grips and Stocks," CAS City forum, February 3, 2008. Historical understanding suggests Colt used walnut with very simple boiled linseed oil finish with no pre-stain.

[^26]: "grip varnish question," Historic Shooting Forums, July 8, 2022. Reference to adding red powder stain to amber violin varnish to match Colt original grips.

[^27]: "Colt Single Action Army," Wikipedia, March 1, 2004. The SAA was adopted in 1873 and continued many finishing practices from earlier percussion revolvers.

[^28]: "The First Generation Colt Single Action Army," GUNS Magazine, March 29, 2022. As early as 1874, some military-marked revolvers were given nickel-plated finish with ivory grips for civilian sale.

[^29]: Ibid. Standard military SAA featured case-hardened frame with blued barrel and cylinder, brass (often silver-plated) trigger guard and backstrap, and one-piece walnut grips.

[^30]: "Colt Single Action Army," Wikipedia. Nickel-plated versions were issued to Indian scouts and were popular on the civilian market.

[^31]: "Traditional gun stock finish," Muzzleloading Forum, September 22, 2024. Traditional maintenance formula believed to be equal parts beeswax, gum spirits turpentine, and boiled linseed oil.

[^32]: Ibid. This 1:1:1 mixture was a traditional gun finish and maintenance preparation.

[^33]: "Original finish on Colt percussion grips?" The High Road forum, January 22, 2015. Discussion of how original grips have 150+ years of aging and patina development from ultraviolet light exposure and use.

[^34]: "Original finish on Colt percussion grips?" The High Road forum, January 22, 2015. The initial post shows modern Uberti replica with shiny red Italian grips and asks whether originals looked similar.

Tuning Up a New Replica Colt Open Top Revolver

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:19:10 GMT

Optimizing the Performance of a New Colt Open Top Revolver

I have spoken often on the percussion revolvers with emphasis on the Piettas and Ubertis which center on the Colt replicas. Most gunsmiths today who work mainly on the cowboy revolvers will tell you this "theory". Pietta will have good fitting arbors and poorly fitted bolts. Uberti will have poorly fitted arbors and good fitted bolts. That is a broad statement and does not always hold true for every revolver they make. But if you have an Uberti with a short arbor, and you think it shouldn’t, at the end of this article is a link to the PDF file on Tuning Colt Open Top Revolvers which includes the Arbor Repair instructions.

Most folks are afraid they will mess up the revolver if they work on them. These revolvers right out of the box are usually very stiff and sound like a tank when cocking the hammer. These revolvers are replicas of guns made when it was a simpler world. They do not have safeties per se and are not complicated in the way they are made. They are a part of this country's history.

When I speak of Colt replicas, I am referring to the 1847 Walkers, 1848 Dragoons (1st model/2nd model/3rd model), 1849 Colt Pocket Pistol, 1851 Navies, 1860 Army, 1861 Navies and last, but not least, the 1862 Police and Pocket Navy. Uberti seems to stay within the bounds of being period correct for these revolvers where Pietta tends not to. Historically speaking there never was an 1851 Navy in 44 Cal. Nor an 1860 Army brass frame. That is a Pietta thing. Sam Colt never made any brass frame percussion revolvers, but Pietta does. My comments regarding the brass frame revolvers is that if you shoot a lot of heavy, hot loads, the brass frames will not hold up. The arbors may work loose, and it is near impossible to correct this once it happens. That being said, let’s turn our attention to tuning these factory fresh open top replica revolvers.

This article is on Tuning the Colt Open Top Revolvers so that it is a more enjoyable revolver to shoot. This will apply to all the Colt Open Top revolvers that are Uberti and Pietta regardless of the caliber. The first thing as a new owner of a percussion revolver is to thoroughly clean it right out of the box. If the revolver is a Pietta, I would recommend that you do not cock the gun until you check to make sure the bolt fits all the cylinder bolt notches in the cylinder.

Learn the parts and know what each part does in the functioning of this revolver. Nothing complicated. The revolver consists of a barrel / frame / grips / trigger guard / a wedge / assorted screws / the action consists of a hand with spring, bolt, trigger, trigger/bolt spring, hammer with trigger notches half and full cock and a sear / cylinder / arbor / loading lever / rear sight (V cut into the hammer) front sight will be a brass blade or brass post or a steel blade.

After cleaning the revolver completely. Do the following: Take a pair of old panty hose and check parts for burrs and rough-cut machine marks. Use a flat Diamond File and Clean out the hammer well channel. Both Uberti and Pietta, where the arbor is pinned in, will sometimes protrude enough to keep the hammer from seating itself in the hammer channel. Then take the file and lightly dull all the sharp edges of the hammer channel. Cut a piece of wood so that it is just a wee bit smaller than the Hammer Channel and make sure it has a flat side. We will wrap all the different grits of sandpaper on this piece of wood to polish the hammer channel. We will start with 100 grit and work up to 2000 grit for polishing the hammer channel. Cut another piece of wood to fit inside the frame where the hammer rides to include that area of the frame where the two humps are. We want to polish the inside of the frame ridding it of machine marks and burrs. Cut a piece of wood that will fit up into the hand channel (where the hand protrudes beside the arbor) and make sure this wood is a wee bit smaller than the hand channel. Start with 100 grit and work up to 2000 grit for the Hand Channel. While doing this, check to make sure the hand is not hitting the arbor when you cock the revolver. If the hand does hit the arbor, remove metal from the side of the arbor where hand is making contact. Do the same with the sandpaper grits. We want the inside of the frame to be slick. Wherever you have metal rubbing metal, you want these areas to be highly polished.

The next part we will work on is Hammer. We want to highly polish the sides of the hammer and the curve of the hammer that enters the hammer channel to the frame. Most of the hammers will have a detent where the arbor tip meets the hammer channel. We want to remove this detent and highly polish the hammer. Check the half and full cock notches on the hammer to make sure there are no burrs in these cuts. Do not polish or change any of the sear notches on the hammer. The sear is that round cut wedge on the lower left side of the hammer. Just check the sear to make sure it does not have any burrs on it. Lightly rub it with 400 grit sandpaper. When polishing the hammer sides, you will be removing the case hardening color. We will talk later this. If you look at the hammer face that strikes the cap you will see a slot cut in the hammer face, fill this slot with JB Weld and let dry for at least 24 hours. Once the JB Weld is dry we want to file the face down so that it is about .001” to .003” from the cap when the trigger is pulled. You will make this adjustment after reassembly of the revolver.

The next area of the hammer to remove metal is right below the hammer face. We want to round out the edge of the curve that is next to the hammer face. Once this is done highly polish the hammer face and the curve in the hammer along with the edges that were rounded off. The hammer should look like a new chrome bumper.

(Optional) For the next step, hold the hammer with a needle nose plier in the large hole where the hammer screw goes. Use a propane torch and heat the hammer till the thumb grip (top) turns cherry red. The sides of the hammer and the curve portion of the hammer will change color and give you the appearance of a case-hardened hammer. Drop the hammer into a can of OIL and let it cool. When cooled wipe down for reinstalment.

For avoiding potential cap ja mbs on these Colt hammers, fill the safety slot with JB Weld. Then highly polish the hammer face.

Normally the factory will put a decent cut on the hand, but it will be rough. The Hand has a curved portion, and this is always a very rough cut. Using a Dremel Tool with a 120-grit sandpaper roll we want to smooth out the curve of the hand. Do not change the angle of the curve, just smooth it out. Next, we want to polish the sides of the hand so that it looks like a new chrome bumper using the sandpaper grits stated above... 100 to 2000 grit. Use 350 grit to polish the spring, it will normally have burrs on it. The correctly shaped hand face is on the left above. Be sure not to over polish as to change the length of the hand. If your cylinder over rotates then the hand is too long. If the cylinder under rotates, then the hand is too short. More about this when we shape the bolt.

The next item we will address is the bolt. First, we want to make sure the bolt will fit into each bolt notch in the cylinder. This is done using a caliper. Measure the width of the bolt (that round hump that sets on top) ... then using the caliper measure bolt notch width in the cylinder. The bolt should be less than the cylinder bolt notches. Measure all six notches. If the bolt does not have a smaller measurement, remove metal from the bolt on both sides to get it to fit into the cylinder notches. Once this is done, check the angle of the bolt hump. It should be slanted as seen in the picture below. It is slanted this way so that when the cylinder turns when the hammer goes to half cock the bolt drops, and as you go to full cock the bolt starts to rise and engage the ramp that precedes the cylinder notch. At full cock the bolt should lock the cylinder bank vault tight. If it is not doing this then there is a problem with the hand.

Remember, if your cylinder over rotates then the hand is too long. If the cylinder under rotates, then the hand is too short. From the factory, many hands are too long. To shorten the hand if it is too long, use a flat diamond file and remove metal from the top of the hand. Do this a little at a time to get the correct fit. If the hand is too short, lengthen it by using a flat round metal punch. Place the hand on a piece of metal or hard wood, place the punch on the back of the hand under the spring and use a hammer with medium to soft hits to lengthen the hand. Once you have the hand and the bolt working in unison whereas the bolt is riding up into the ramp at half cock and going into the cylinder notch at full cock, the revolver is then in TIME. Finish up the bolt by polishing it and on the two arms that stick to the rear, the left arm that engages the hammer sear should be beveled so that it makes a smooth move over the sear.

Next check the Trigger. About all that is needed here is to ensure that the trigger will engage the half cock and full cock notches on the hammer. If you want a weaker trigger pull, then take the Trigger/Bolt Spring and remove metal from the left side of the spring to make it look like a half hourglass. A 2 lb. trigger pull is considered a very light trigger pull.

Next, we will address the main spring. Most Ubertis and Piettas will come from the factory with a hammer pull more than 15 to 20 lbs. That is far too much pressure for the thumb. So, we will hourglass the Main Spring. That is to remove metal from each side so that the spring will resemble a hourglass. I use a Dremel with a Stone to do this, but a diamond file will also work. Start about a quarter of an inch above the screw hole and remove metal on each side up to about a half inch from the tip. This is a remove a little and check process. If you remove too much the spring is worthless. So do a little at a time and check. Checking is accomplished by seeing if it will fire a cap. If you are unsure of yourself doing this there are aftermarket springs you can get, but it is cheaper to do it this way. After market springs will cost about $15 to $20 dollars. In the left photo I show the factory spring on the right and a spring that has been adjusted on the left. I also place a piece of leather under the Main Spring Screw, this helps in lightening the Main Spring. After removing the metal, the Spring is highly polished.

The final step one should do is chamfer the 6 chambers of the Cylinder. This will help when seating the lead ball. For 31 caliber revolvers the shooter should use lead balls in diameter of .320" or .322”. The 36 Caliber revolver should use Lead Balls in diameter of .380". The 44 Caliber revolvers should use lead balls in diameter of .451 to .454". Using lead balls in the diameters will solve any problems with chain firing. There is much debate about whether to use lube over the balls to prevent this. All I will say on this is it is not needed or required. There is no historical documentation by Colt or Remington requiring this. This is a 20th and 21st Century addition. Here is a picture showing a cylinder that has the chambers chamfered. After you chamfer, I would suggest you re-blue the face of the cylinder.

Now that all tuning is completed, re-assemble the revolver and it will surprise you at how easy it is to shoot. To download a PDF copy of this Tuning Guide, click HERE .

The Gun That Started It All

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:14:54 GMT

The Gun That Started It All

In the beginning there was William B. Edwards. William B. “Bill” Edwards, was the Technical Editor of Guns Magazine, and had visited W. Stokes Kirk, a large clothing, goods and surplus military dealer out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. W. Stokes Kirk was founded by William Stokes Kirk, who started his career with the renowned Bannerman's , and taken over by his son, William Stokes Kirk, Jr., upon the father's death in 1925. It was sometime in the late 1940's or very early 1950's that Bill Edwards visited W. Stokes Kirk. While there he purchased enough of the Civil War surplus spare revolver parts for an Colt M1851 Navy revolver to assemble a "mint condition" '51 Colt Navy Revolver.

According to Dennis Russell, author of "Percussion Colt Revolvers - The Second Generation", the parts for the Colt M1851 Navy revolver that Bill Edwards built came from the W. Stokes Kirk inventory of “Low Number Mismatched” parts that were remnants of the parts purchased from Colts Mfg. After the introduction of the Colt Peacemaker in 1873, Colt sold its inventory of martial Colt Navy 1851 parts to various surplus dealers. In the 1940s, the surplus house of W. Stokes Kirk of Philadelphia assembled and numbered 120 of these “Stokes Kirk” Colt 1851 Navies. Colt manufactured over 130,000 Fourth Model 1851s. Many are still in existence. There were only 120 Stokes Kirk's Navy revolvers.

The Colt M1851 Navy revolver that Bill Edwards assembled from those same parts has a cylinder that is numbered 83 and has 100% of the Ormsby roll engraved naval battle scene remaining. All six safety pins and nipples remain virtually untouched. Additionally, the cylinder has a faint index line and carries military inspector marks K and J on opposing shoulders and L on the face between two chambers near the cylinder pin hole. The small round trigger guard and the backstrap are numbered 82 - with the backstrap numeral 2 being slightly damaged. The loading lever is numbered 1715. The only detraction to this revolver is the fact that the hammer will not lock up in the final notch. This revolver has become known as #82 from the serial number on the trigger guard and backstrap.

An old theory at one time known as the "1 of 100 Test Gun" theory had these Stokes Kirk assembled revolvers being those that Colt had assembled to prove to the Navy that all the parts were interchangeable, but Nathan Swayze has seemingly disproved this theory and the examples of similar W. Stokes Kirk "Low Number Mismatch" Colt 1851 Navy revolvers can be found in the following firearms reference books:

'51 Colt Navies by Nathan L. Swayze • Page 93, Plata 52.
Book of Colt Firearms by Robert Q. Sutherland & R. L. Wilson. page 131, Plate D

How It All Began

It was nearly a decade later, that this #82 "spare parts revolver" gave Edwards an idea. A few years before the Centennial of the Civil War coming up in 1961, Edwards envisioned having replica '51 Navy Revolvers made in Europe for sale in the U.S. The rest is history!

In the late 1950’s Bill Edwards headed up the Guns Magazine tour of the gunmakers of Europe. They visited dealers and manufacturers in England, Belgium, France and finally Italy. On that "Gun-Nuts Tour of Europe" in the late 1950's, Edwards pitched the idea to every firearms manufacturer they visited in Europe of putting the '51 Navy Revolver back into production. Every manufacturer Edwards proposed the idea to thought Edwards was either joking or he was crazy...after all, they thought....people wouldn't buy percussion revolvers when more modern design cartridge revolvers were available on the market.

Val Forgett was also on that tour with Edwards and as a businessman, thought Edwards proposal of the manufacture and sale of percussion revolvers was actually a good idea. As early as 1957, Forgett was employed as a sales representative for his father’s sheet metal firm, Service Welding Co., in Ridgefield, New Jersey but operated his gun business, Service Armament located in Bogata, New Jersey part-time. When the "Gun Nuts Tour of Europe" got to Brescia, Italy, they toured the Beretta factory. A Beretta employee, by the name of Louie Amadi, was assigned to guide the Americans through the Beretta plant.

Mr. Amadi was selected for that assignment because he spoke excellent English. Originally from Venice, Mr. Amadi had graduated from an Italian university with a mechanical engineering degree. Fresh out of college, he had gone to work for an Italian typewriter company that had a typewriter manufacturing plant in Australia. Mr. Amadi lived and worked in Australia for over a year and consequently became very fluent in English.

It was while guiding the Americans though the Beretta factory that Louie Amadi met Bill Edwards and Val Forgett. It was in a private meeting after the tour was over that Edwards pitched the idea to Mr. Amadi of having replicas of the '51 Navy Revolver manufactured in Brescia. Mr. Amadi loved the idea and agreed to help get the '51 Navy Revolver started in production.

The initial agreement was that Mr. Amadi would act as the agent for Mr. Forgett to get replica '51 Navy revolvers manufactured in Brescia, Italy. For every revolver that Mr. Amadi would ship to Val Forgett in the U.S., Mr. Amadi would receive a $1.00 commission.

After the Guns Magazine tour left Brescia, that original spare parts '51 Navy Revolver #82 that Bill Edwards had assembled was literally smuggled into Italy by a U.S. Army officer and delivered to Louie Amadi to serve as the model to copy. Mr. Amadi found a small company in Brescia by the name of Gregorelli that was willing to tool up to produce the replica revolver and another stage in history is set.

Initially, Bill Edwards had secured an original Colt 1851 Navy revolver from a collector in France that was secretly delivered to an arms dealer in England to be sent to Brescia to use as the pattern for the reproductions. But due to existing gun laws in Italy at the time, the revolver could not be imported into Italy. So Bill Edwards had his model pistol #82 taken into Italy via Germany by a military major stationed in Italy and it was delivered to Gregorelli to begin the manufacture of the prototypes of the M1851 Colt Navy reproductions.

Meanwhile, to make a long story short, Val Forgett, upon returning to the States, founded Navy Arms as a subsidiary of Service Armament to distribute those replica '51 Navy Revolvers in the U.S. and the replica industry was born and became a very large part of the U.S. and Italian gun industry. But the unknown "Hero" of the replica arms story is Louie Amadi, an Italian that had the foresight to become a co-founder of the replica firearms industry. Without Mr. Amadi's efforts, the replica arms industry may have never gotten off the ground.

There is an article in the March 1958 issue of Guns Magazine about that tour on Page 35 of that issue. Note on the first page of the article is a historic picture of Louie Amadi and Bill Edwards! You can download it here:

https://gunsmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/G0358.pdf

In the history of Navy Arms, that small company in Brescia that Louie Amadi found that was willing to tool up to produce those first replica revolvers became known as Gregorelli and Uberti. The revolvers are stamped with “GU” that stands for Gregorelli and Uberti. Gregorelli made the steel parts and Uberti assembled the revolvers. When Aldo Uberti first started into the replica manufacturing business, he did not have a manufacturers license at the time so he had to partner with Gregorelli who was licensed to manufacture.

Dennis Russell did a photo journal of “The Gun That Started It All” that he passed on to Dr. Davis, which then got passed on to me. It relates the history of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver with Serial #82, from William Edwards assembling the gun at the Colt factory to it being smuggled into Italy for Gregorelli & Uberti to make the prototypes. Dennis Russell now owns this #82 revolver and Dr. Jim Davis had the Prototype #1 revolver in his collection. That revolver became available upon Dr. Davis' passing and is now in the collection of Chad Fisher.

Photo journal of “The Gun That Started It All”

This revolver started the whole Replica Revolver Industry including Colt's re-entry of their percussion revolvers. Even though I have tried to give some type of history of the beginnings of the reproduction revolver market, I still find new and interesting information around every corner my research takes me. All I can say at this point is, “The more I learn the less I know”.

ENDNOTES:

~ compiled from the notes of Dr. James H Davis, Dennis Russell, Bill Edwards, and Roy L. Oak

E. N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:28:20 GMT

Empresa Natcional Santa Barbara of Industrias Militares SA

The E.N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army revolver is a high-quality Spanish reproduction of the original Remington Model 1858 percussion revolver. These E.N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army revolvers were produced in Spain at the government arsenal factory of Santa Barbara in the city of Oviedo. This factory was renowned for manufacturing other famous firearms, including the Oviedo Mausers and NATO MG3 machine guns.

The Empresa Natcional Santa Barbara of Industrias Militares SA (National Enterprise of Defense Industries) was a state factory created in the 1960's by Francisco Franco. These weapons are not marked "black powder only". The distribution of the Remington NMA continued until around 2000 when the factory ran out of stock and could no longer supply the model. The maker mark on the barrel was "MADE BY E.N. SANTA BARBARA" followed by the logo and "SPAIN".

The E. N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army revolvers were made in the city of OVIEDO, in north SPAIN, in the very industrial (coal and steel) region of ASTURIAS, in the 1970´s, in the government arsenal factory of SANTA BARBARA, just in the city center, a factory that no longer exists. It is the same factory who made the famous OVIEDO Mausers.

This factory was eventually integrated into SANTA BARBARA holding, which was owned by the government to make several types of weapons for the Spanish army, among them, the famous MG42 in modernized NATO VERSION, in 7,62x51 (308) caliber, known as MG3. They also made military vehicles, tanks, cannons, naval and air defense systems, etc.

One of the factors that makes the Santa Barbara 1858 Remington revolver unique is the steel it was cast from is harder than the Italian replicas, as they were using the same steel used in the MG3 machine guns. Someone who has machined one of these cylinders on the lathe, with cobalt cutters, would agree. The Italian makers use cheaper soft steel, easy to machine, while the Santa Barbara revolvers used some of the best steel in Spain.

Only the barrel and cylinder were made in the OVIEDO factory, as well as the final fitting and finish. The frame was an investment casting made by Ecrimesa Group, a large private company specialized in investment casting process, in the nearby region of Cantabria. They still exist today.

The Santa Barbara has a perfect bored size barrel matched to the chamber´s diameter, something that does not happen with UBERTI and some other, in my opinion, lower quality Italian revolvers. The Santa Barbara gained a fame of accuracy among shooters in Spain and France, as they were match guns. Several world championships were won with them in the Mariette matches.

Their main draw back was the grip, too small for some modern day hands, and their front sight, fixed, like the original revolvers. These were also investment cast parts made outside the factory, and Pietta parts can be adapted, like trigger, hammer, and sear, and bolt stop as well as spring, which is also very hard in these Santa Barbaras.

These Santan Barbara Remingtons were imported into the United States by CVA back in the 1970's through possibly 2000. The known models that were imported by CVA were:

RV101 - Standard Model (No Engraving)
RV102 - Type II Engraving
RV103 - Type II Engraving
RV104 - Type III Engraving

What follows are several pages from the CVA catalog in the 1970's with the Santa Barbara Models available at that time.

Based on the available information, there is no clear evidence of significant production issues with the E.N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army revolver. However, we can infer a few points about its production.

The E.N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington was produced in relatively small numbers. Estimates suggest less than 10,000 units were made, with one source mentioning approximately 16,500 produced. These revolvers were likely manufactured from the 1970s to the early 1980s, with some sources suggesting production stopped as early as 1981.

The revolvers underwent strict testing and inspection at the Eibar proof house before being approved for sale, indicating a heavy focus on quality. They were made from high-grade steel, the same used in NATO MG3 machine guns, which was considered superior to Italian reproductions . There's no mention of significant changes or improvements during the production run, suggesting a very consistent manufacturing process.

The distribution of the Remington NMA continued until around 2000 when the factory ran out of stock and could no longer supply the model. The maker mark on the barrel was "MADE BY E.N. SANTA BARBARA" followed by the logo and "SPAIN". The company eventually ceased production of these revolvers, shifting focus to military supply and other armaments.

Today, these E. N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army revolvers can fetch upwards of $600 to $700, if you can find one at auction or luckily in a local gun shop or pawn shop. If you happen to be fortunate enough to own one of these fine revolvers, her is a PDF on " Gunsmithing the Santa Barbara " you can download.

In conclusion, while the E.N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army revolver had a limited production run, there's no evidence of any significant production issues. Instead, it appears to have been a well-regarded, high-quality reproduction that was consistently manufactured during its short production period.

Wedge Adjustment and Function for Colt Black Powder Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 22:06:38 GMT

Proper Wedge Adjustment for Colt Open Top Revolvers

On many new revolvers, especially those made by Pietta, the wedge is hammered into the barrel so tightly that it can even have a raised bump on the side of the barrel.

Ideally, you should be able to start the wedge into the slot and push it about 75% to 85% of the way through the barrel using only thumb pressure. Then the light tap of a plastic, nylon, rubber or wooden gunsmith hammer is all that should be required to final seat the wedge to the desired point. But just how far should the wedge go into the barrel?

When the wedge is perfectly fitted the shoulder of the wedge should not quite contact the barrel side. Often times, the wedge will make contact with the head of the wedge screw before the shoulder makes contact with the barre. If your barrel is fitted correctly to the frame and arbor, the barrel should not ever be able to come into contact with the cylinder face nor should the barrel be pulled off center by the wedge, even if the wedge is driven in too far.

For Uberti made revolvers, there can be another issue. Some Uberti revolvers suffer from what is called the “short arbor” issue. Uberti has made some of their revolvers where the arbor does not seat itself completely flush with the arbor slot in the barrel lug. The arbor simply does not bottom out in the slot. According to Colt's design of his open top revolvers, the arbor ( base pin) should bottom out in the base pin hole. Uberti is the only maker who seems to have this issue. Read Colt's design below from his speech at the Expo in England in 1851.

"In all arms having a moveable breech, it is desirable to bring the barrel and cylinder as nearly in contact as possible, in order to prevent the escape of lateral fire, and yet to leave freedom for motion, without friction : this is now effected by the base pin, on which the cylinder turns, entering a corresponding opening in the under part of the barrel, being there held in place by a key, passing through and bearing against the back end of the slot in the barrel, and the fore end of the slot in the base pin, which is thus drawn up to the bottom of the hole, and yet the barrel is prevented from being brought too close upon, or in absolute contact with, the cylinder, whilst its end is still held in its proper position with respect to the cylinder. In the event of any abrasion of the end of the cylinder, or of the barrel, by deepening the cavity, or filing the end of the base pin, the key can be driven further in, and the proper distance for the readjustment of those parts be maintained, whilst the essential rigidity of structure is secured. ~ excerpt from On the Application of Machinery to the Manufacture of Rotating Chamber-Breech Fire-Arms, and Their Peculiarities , Vol. 11, Page 12, Paragraph 2.

With Colt's design, as the wedge is inserted and locked into the wedge slot, the cylinder gap can be closed or opened to allow for the adjustment of the cylinder gap. But if the wedge is installed too tight, the cylinder may rub the forcing cone of the barrel or not turn at all. And if the arbor is short, the wedge can easily become too tight.

If the wedge has been installed from the factory too tight, it may be difficult to remove. If so, setting your revolver on two blocks of wood or on a padded vise aids in removing the wedge, so there is ample air space below the wedge. In order to keep from damaging the wedge or barrel frame during initial removal of the wedge, use a rubber or nylon tipped, flat head punch and a gunsmith hammer or a medium size ball-peen hammer to punch the wedge out. Or you can use a wooden or plastic clothespin half to punch out the wedge to keep from damaging the wedge or barrel frame.

Once the wedge is removed, you can begin the honing (filing) down process on the left side (pressure side which comes in contact with the arbor ) of the wedge with a honing file or fine-tooth file. You will note that the left side of the wedge is generally narrower than the right side. It is the left side of the wedge that comes into contact with the arbor as it is inserted into the barrel opening and into the arbor wedge opening. This is the side we want to thin down.

After initial filing, put the wedge on a stone and polish that side until it is smooth. Only if necessary, repeat the process on the right side of the wedge, testing frequently, maintaining the original wedge dimensions as close as possible, until the tip of the wedge spring just sticks out of the barrel with thumb pressure on the wedge.

Notice that the wedge retention spring is sticking just above the wedge opening of the barrel in the photo above. It is this spring that keeps the wedge from coming out of the opening as it hooks itself to the wedge opening in the barrel. Make sure this spring is protruding above the opening as the photo shows. It is the wedge retention screw that keeps the wedge from falling out of the barrel when the barrel is removed, and the wedge retention spring that keeps the wedge from coming out of the barrel and arbor opening under normal firing. When the gun is shot, the wedge may loosen a little more causing the wedge to go a little further into the barrel. But, as long as the wedge is tight, and the lip of the wedge spring is past the edge of the barrel, the wedge will be fine. Again, the primary purpose of the wedge retention spring is to lock the wedge into the barrel and, upon barrel removal, to catch on the wedge screw and keep the wedge from falling out of the barrel when as it is pulled loose to remove the barrel for cleaning.

When the wedge is inserted through the barrel assembly, that is, inserted left to right as seen from the back of the gun, depending on the model, the wedge retention screw head depresses the spring so that the lip of the spring is lowered and does not interfere or contact the barrel assembly as the wedge is being inserted or removed.

With the wedge fully inserted the spring is still depressed such that the lip on the spring is below the outer mold line of the wedge and thus fully within the channel in the wedge. It does not protrude above the wedge and cannot contact the barrel assembly or interfere with removing the wedge.

Notice above that the wedge retention spring is curved upward towards the lip of the spring. Be sure this curvature remains intact at all times. Do not try to straighten the spring as that will cause the lip to not engage the barrel frame and it will become insecure.

When the wedge is being loosened, the screw head allows the spring to return to its undeflected (pushed downward into the spring channel) position as the wedge moves right to left, out of the opening. In the fully loosened position, the lip on the spring contacts the back side of the screw head and prevents the wedge from being fully removed from the barrel assembly. This is the intended purpose of the spring, the spring lip and the screw. A fully functioning wedge should be easily loosened by hand if all parts are functioning as they should.

After the proper fitting of the wedge, I recommend using a Presto Gun Blue Pen to re-blue the wedge in locations that you honed it down or to remove any scratches. This will keep the wedge from rusting and help maintain its color uniformity with the revolver.

Historical Evidence for the Use of Multiple Cylinders in Percussion Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:22:39 GMT

Historical Use of Spare Cylinders

The use of spare cylinders for either the Colt and/or Remington revolvers between 1836 and 1873 was not particularly a standard practice, but there is evidence of their limited use in certain contexts. The use of spare cylinders originated with the Colt Paterson revolvers in the 1830s and 1840s. The Colt Paterson Model No. 5, was a five-shot .36 caliber percussion revolver and was known to come with an extra cylinder or two as seen from cased sets of the period. We also know that Texas Rangers reportedly used spare cylinders for their Paterson Colts during engagements with the Comanches, allowing for quick reloading during battle . We find reference to this in Savage Frontier Volume II: Rangers, Riflemen, and Indian Wars in Texas, 1838-1839 by Stephen Moore . An excerpt reads as follows:

After having done further research a few years ago on the use of spare cylinders with percussion revolvers, I was able to find several more instances where the use of these spare cylinders was mentioned. But we don't necessarily find it in regards to the regularly issued equipment by the military. There is reference to their use sometime around the late 1840’s or early 1850’s in a trial being performed by General William S. Harney with a dozen Dragoon revolvers. Although others indicate that it was Paterson rifles rather than Dragoon revolvers, what I cite indicates Dragoon revolvers and based on the timeline of Haney’s rise to General, it seems that it had to be the late 1840’s to early 1850’s. Production of the Colt Dragoon revovler began in 1847, so the timeline also indicates that it was Dragoon revolvers.

In this excerpt from "Ten Years in the Saddle", The Memoir of William Woods Averell 1851-1862 we find the reference to the spare cylinders. Averell was a cavalryman and attended the military academy, where his memoirs begin, and then extend on into into the Civil War. It seems that on or about 1857, Averell recalls this account while he was at Fort Leavenworth by the commander of the fort, as stated in the second paragraph of page 88 of the text. He refers to Harney as “General Harney". Harney was not promoted to general until Harney had fought with distinction at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, after which he received a promotion to brevete brigadere general. He returned to cavalry command as a general during the Battle of Contreras in August of 1847. (John Eisenhower, So Far from God: the U.S. War with Mexico, 1846–1848 (Random House Publishers 1989) p. 256n)

William Woods writes: "When the old Dragoon revolver was first made, a dozen of them were sent to his [Harney] regiment for trial. A dozen men were selected to carry and use them. When the men were assembled to receive them at the Colonel's headquarters, he [Harney] said to them mildly, "my men, I have selected you on account of your intelligence and steadiness to test this new arm," and then went on to explain to them its action and use, showing that each pistol had TWO (emphasis added) cylinders, both of which were kept loaded so that when the one in the pistol had been exhausted it could be removed and replaced by the extra one in a moment." So we know that spare cylinders were issued to at least this group of 12 soldiers. It then becomes somewhat obvious that this trial was just that, a trial, because we find no other reference to these spare cylinders being issued through out the military before or during the Civil War. Yet, even though this was only a “trial” spare cylinders may not have been the norm, but were carried, even for a brief period.

Another reference I was able to find was relating to the guerillas of Missouri, and more especially to the Bushwackers like Bloody Bill Anderson. I cite "KILLED AND CAPTURED: MISSOURI CIVIL WAR GUERRILLAS IN MYTH AND REALITY" by Matthew M. Lesnett which states:

"Another necessity to the image of the guerrilla focused mostly around the guerrilla shirt. The guerrilla shirt was not a formal uniform, but as the war progressed it became the default piece of clothing that nearly all guerrillas wore. These shirts were handmade —typically by the bushwhacker’s sweetheart, mother, or sister—and baggy in fit. They were low-cut around the neck and often had several deep pockets designed to hold "extra revolver cylinders" and other everyday wares. Whoever made the shirt often embroidered it with flowers and other complicated stitching’s, adding to its beauty. No two shirts were alike, as they were often made of different types of cloth, different colors, similar but ultimately different cuts and sizes, and different stitching and embroidery.

This is further cited by Joseph M. Beilein, “ The Guerrilla Shirt: A Labor of Love and the Style of Rebellion in Civil War Missouri ,” in Civil War History, vol. 58, no. 2 (2012), 158-159. Here we read of another indication of the carrying of spare cylinders by "Bloody" Bill Anderson.

In " Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla By Albert E. Caste, we also read:

"The bushwackers did not carry so many of these [revolvers] out of vain bravado but for the very practical reason that they wanted to be able to keep firing rapidly without stopping to reload, a tricky and risky business on horseback in the midst of a fight, even if you had, as they did, "preloaded spare cylinders", in those large shirt pockets." But this is a minor point in an otherwise excellent article.

So we have seen several references to the carrying of spare cylinders with the military trial and with the guerillas of the Civil War. The military may not have issued them as a matter of course, and it may not have been the norm, but we have read that they were supposedly carried by the men referred to.

We are also aware of the fact that Remington did advertise the sale of extra cylinders for some of their revolvers and have seen cased sets with spare cylinders, especially after their conversion cylinders became available, as seen in the heading photo above. Colt also sold revolvers with spare cylinders, particularly in cased sets, but this was not typical for standard-issue firearms. (Perplexity, 2023)

For irrefutable documentation of the practice, one can refer to a number of studies by respected firearms historians, R.L. Wilson, Roy Marcot and R. Bruce McDowell, who not only write about it, but also show numerous photos of revolvers produced with spare cylinders.

References:

Savage Frontier Volume II: Rangers, Riflemen, and Indian Wars in Texas, 1838-1839 by Stephen Moore .

Ten Years in the Saddle", The Memoir of William Woods Averell 1851-1862 by Edward K. Eckert and Nicholas J. Amato, Jan 1, 1978

(John Eisenhower, So Far from God: the U.S. War with Mexico, 1846–1848 (Random House Publishers 1989) p. 256n)

"KILLED AND CAPTURED: MISSOURI CIVIL WAR GUERRILLAS IN MYTH AND REALITY" by Matthew M. Lesnett

Joseph M. Beilein, “ The Guerrilla Shirt: A Labor of Love and the Style of Rebellion in Civil War Missouri ,” in Civil War History, vol. 58, no. 2 (2012), 158-159.

Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla By Albert E. Caste

Reaming Percussion Revolver Cylinder Chamber Throats

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 21:53:09 GMT

An important part in revolver accuracy.

Perussion revolver accuracy can sometimes be a source of constant aggravation. Shooters experiment with various loads and projectiles trying to achieve groups that don’t resemble buckshot from a skeet gun. Some percussion revolvers exhibit good accuracy with little or no effort at all, while others of seemingly the same quality will not shoot a decent group no matter the amount of work and frustration involved. There are many variables in getting a percussion revolver to shoot accurately, and most gun makers do a decent job, considering these are replica revolvers. With everything that the bullet must endure before leaving the muzzle of a percussion revolver, it is sometimes amazing that they can place a bullet close to the intended target. In this section, I will attempt to address one particular, and the most crucial variable: the cylinder chamber throat diameters, which are often overlooked. The throat gives the bullet its first stabilizing guidance, and many people better than I have demonstrated that it is critical to good accuracy – perhaps more than the bore itself!

Problems occur that are detrimental to accuracy when the cylinder chamber is not sized properly in relation to the groove diameter of the barrel. The cylinder chamber should be the same as, or slightly over, the groove diameter. When a percussion revolver cylinder chamber is oversized, the bullet does indeed undergo a process of deformation upon firing. As the powder ignites, the rapidly expanding gases create immense pressure behind the bullet. This pressure causes the base of the bullet to expand slightly, helping to seal the chamber and prevent gas leakage. As the bullet moves through an oversized chamber, it may experience some deformation due to the excess space. However, this deformation is generally minimal and not uniform around the bullet. When the bullet reaches the cylinder throat (the transition between the chamber and the barrel), it begins to encounter a slight constriction. This area is typically designed to be slightly smaller than the chamber but still larger than the bore diameter.

Ideally, the chamber throat (the exit point of the chamber) should be slightly larger than the bullet diameter, typically by 0.001" to 0.002". This allows for proper bullet alignment and engagement with the rifling. If the chamber is too large, it can lead to bullet misalignment when entering the barrel, potentially causing accuracy issues. Consistency across all chambers is important. Variations in chamber sizes can result in inconsistent accuracy from one chamber to another.

When a chamber is too large, the bullet will be "bumped up" upon firing to fill the chamber mouth and then squeezed back down upon entering the bore. The opposite of this condition is when the cylinder chamber mouths are undersized, or smaller than the groove diameter of the barrel. In this situation, the bullet is squeezed down upon entering the cylinder chamber mouth and then bumped up when entering the barrel to fill the groove diameter. The problem occurs when the bullet, which is now under size for the barrel, does not bump up to proper diameter. This happens hard cast bullets, leaving a bullet traveling down the bore without a good seal or proper rifling engagement, resulting in excessive bore leading and imperfect alignment upon leaving the muzzle, and the result at the target is poor accuracy.

It would seem that after over 180 years of revolver manufacture, that those involved in the process would have settled upon a proper diameter for cylinder chamber mouths in relation to barrel dimensions, but with replica percussion revolvers, it just isn’t so. Oddly, the problem occurs most often with our replica percussion revolvers in common use; the Pietta and Uberti revolvers. These replicas have been with us for over 70 years, and still guns are being shipped daily with under size cylinder throats. The Pietta .44 caliber revolvers should be coming with .440 lands and .442 to .450 grooves with chamber diameters of .446 to .449 according the Dixie Gun Works 2019 catalog. The .36 caliber revolvers should have .360 lands and .372 grooves with .367 chambers. But if you want your projectile to fully engage the grooves, they are not going to. So, to improve the accuracy of your revolver, you may need to ream your chamber mouth. This is not a difficult task for the mechanically minded, but if you are not mechanically minded, you will need to have a gunsmith do it for you.

The absolute best method to measuring your cylinder chamber throats is with a very good set of pin gages. They can be expensive but are well worth the price if you have multiple caliber revolvers. But if you have no pin gages at hand, then you can slug your chambers and barrel to get the diameters. This method is not as accurate, but as long as your chamber throats end up larger than your barrel diameter by at least .001, it will be fine. After slugging your barrel and cylinder chambers , (refer to the PDF file) and you find that it is necessary, ream the chamber mouths as per the instructions provided with your reamer. The procedure is very simple, and all work is done easily by hand. It basically involves fitting the reamer to the cylinder throat, oiling the tool, and turning the T-handle or drill press. Your cylinder mouths will not need to be more than .001 to .003 larger than the groove diameter of your barrel. So if your barrel groove measures out at .450, then your chamber throats will not need to be any large than .451, for example. When reaming the cylinder chamber mouths, it is a common practice to only go as deep as ball diameter/bullet length (conicals), or as deep as the projectile is seated into the chamber mouth with a small powder charge.

I suggest using a the Victor Machinery High Speed Steel Adjustable Blade Reamers to correct the problem of undersize cylinder mouths on .44 and .36 caliber revolvers. These reamers have been used successfully for many years to open up chamber mouths. The adjustable reamer is adjusted by loosening the nut at one end and tightening the nut at the other end. Due to its adjustability, it takes the place of many individual size reamers and can be used to progressively "open up" chambers. The reamer for .44 caliber chambers will open the mouths up from 0.4375 to 0.4688 and the reamer for .36 caliber chambers will open them up from 0.3438 to 0.3750. The only other item you may need is a T-handle to turn the reamer, such as is used to turn a threaded tap. Using the T-Handle is a much easier, especially if you do not have a drill press available.

There are untold thousands of good .44 and .36 revolvers that could benefit from this simple procedure, with more being made every day. If you have a .44 or .36 Colt or Remington, made by Uberti or Pietta, slug the barrel and chambers first to determine proper projectile size, then shoot it. If it is accurate, you are blessed. If it is not, the problem could be undersize cylinder mouths. The reamers will cost less than $20, and should do many cylinders and last a long time if used properly. You can find other types of reamers out there that are much more expensive, but the Victory Machinery Reamers will do the job just fine. You can find the Victory Machinery Reamers online at:

.44 caliber reamer:

RMBL-2A High Speed Steel Adjustable Blade Reamer, 7/16"-15/32"

.36 caliber reamer:

RMBL-5A High Speed Steel Adjustable Blade Reamer, 11/32"-3/8"

Classic Arms International Inc.

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 20:36:21 GMT

A Brief History of Classic Arms

One of the very first and more unusual revolvers was the pepperbox revolver. The pepper-box revolver or simply pepperbox (also "pepper-pot", from its resemblance to the household pepper shakers) is a multiple-barrel firearm, mostly in the form of a handgun, that has three or more gun barrels in a revolving mechanism. While pepperboxes represent some of the earliest revolving firearms, they really came into their own in the 19th century and were mass-produced as sidearms both in the U.S. and Europe. Probably the more well known of the replica pepperbox revolvers was the Classic International Ethan Allen Pepperbox.

Classic Arms International, Ltd. was founded in 1974. Paradoxically, Classic Arms traced its success directly to the 1973 recession. Its founder, president and principal stockholder, Paul Romano, 42, had a long and, until 1973, prosperous career in commercial real estate. Then mortgage money dried up, and Romano found himself with extensive property holdings he could neither sell nor finance. He vowed that his next business would involve only "small-ticket" items that were not as tightly tied as real estate to the overall economy. So guns were his choice.

Romano had been a collector all his life and in had acquired several outstanding antique firearms at four-figure prices. The idea of making reproductions of them intrigued him. "We are manufacturing a better product for less money right here in America, where many of these guns originated," he says. "Some manufacturers get parts from Europe, but our trademark is 'Made entirely in the USA—lock, stock and barrel.'

Romano began producing his own replicas on a limited scale in a small factory in Valley Stream, N.Y., but Classic soon outgrew that plant and in January 1975 moved into an empty 10,000-square-foot factory in Palmer, Mass. that had once produced submarine nets for the Navy. A year later that space had been expanded to 30,000 square feet. Romano's first replicas were of an Ethan Allen Pepperbox, a revolving four-barrel that was used extensively by gold miners and merchants in the 1840s, and a New Orleans Ace, a single-barrel from the same era that was popularly known as "the original gambler's companion."

The response to these weapons was beyond Romano's wildest dreams. His first ads brought in 80,000 orders. More important, a large percentage of those who ordered one gun ordered a second.

Classic produced replicas of four guns, with a fifth, a Derringer adapted to black powder. It also sold a replica of the Coffin Bowie knife and literally tons of silver and brass ornamental belt buckles commemorating everything from Coors beer to exorcism. Gun production alone amounted to from 400 to 600 units a day and were backordered by more than two months. Classic helped lower the unemployment rate in Palmer from 14% to 7.4%.

The reasons for this remarkable success were several, not the least of which was the quality of the products. The guns were not toys, but beautifully machined, precision-tooled products. Depending upon the model, each part underwent anywhere from five to 15 separate operations, all parts were interchangeable within a given model and all pertinent tolerances were held at less than .005 of an inch. This was unprecedented for kits guns.

The surprisingly low cost was another reason for the popularity of Classic's guns. The least expensive model, the New Orleans Ace, sold for $29.95 in kit form, $44.95 completely assembled. The three-barrel Duckfoot, an unusual multiple-shot gun made popular by sea captains who used it to help keep crews in line in the late 18th century, sold for $36.95 for the kit, $54.95 assembled. The double-barrel Snake Eyes, also known as "The Deadly Deuce," a pearlite-handled copy of the favorite persuader of Mississippi riverboat gamblers, sold for $39.95 in kits. $59.95 assembled. One of the most expensive models was the four-barrel Ethan Allen Pepperbox, priced at $44.95 in a kit and $69.95 assembled.

The appeal of the kits was enormous. They outsold completely assembled models by more than 10 to one. The lower cost of the kits was only one reason. Many hobbyists enjoy fitting the parts together, sanding the wood and buffing the metal. Even in kit form the Classic guns were actually 90% completed, fully inletted, drilled and tapped, and require no particular skill, only patience, to assemble. A file, a screwdriver and fine sandpaper were more than adequate to do the job.

"The parts come out like pieces of jewelry," says Neil Gage, Classic's chief design engineer. "Once they have gone through all the machinery, every part is carefully inspected. The guns we build are actually much better in quality and workmanship than the originals. If you paid $500, you would not find any more technical quality control than you get in a Classic gun for $29.95." Classic Arms International, also known as Classic Arms Ltd. also built the Ethan Allen By Hoppe’s single shot .45 caliber pistol for Hoppe’s. It was available in both kit form and fully assembled, but there were issues with the soft hammer spring not being able to always reliably fire caps, and it had a small flash hole channel that often impeded proper ignition and which required drilling it out in order to correct. Sales lagged and Hoppe’s sold the remaining Hoppes inventory of the kits to Numrich Gun Parts Corporation. After they were all sold through Numrich, there were no replacement parts available for the Ethan Allem BY Hoppes pistols.

Unfortunately, in 1977, Classic Arms International fell from grace and by 1978 had filed for bankruptcy. Classic Arms International was eventually sold to Navy Arms during Val Forgett's process of buying out the competition. Val Forgett opened a factory in Palmer, Mass and made Classic Arms guns from around 1979-1983. Navy Arms customers were Best Stores, Otasco, Service Merchandise, Woolco, Spiegel Catalogs and, by far the biggest customer, Kmart. At its peak, Classic was making 10,000 pistols a month. Val Forgett, III told me he remembers as a kid going to the factory with his dad to visit. It was always a fun overnight trip.

When Kmart stopped buying it wasn’t viable to keep the factory running, and Navy Arms moved all the parts in process to Union City, NJ where they were turned into kits. Val, III remembers running the skin packing machine one summer. He said it was not a fun job, he actually preferred working the bluing room.

Navy Arms eventually did sell everything that was left to Erwin Fagel of Deer Creek Products. Val, III was there when they made the deal. Somewhere he still has the spreadsheets his mom did of the parts costings and the production forecasts. It was all done by hand or typed by her at the time on a very modern IBM Selectric typewriter.

So Navy Arms sold off all the remaining stock to Deer Creek Products and Classic Arms was no more. Once Classic Arms had met its demise, Deer Creek Products did pick up the manufacture of some of Classic Arms kits. Instructions and parts for six of the Classic Arms pistols are still available from Deer Creek Products at https://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/c1/Featured_Products.html, but kits are no longer available.

References:

"COLLECTORS ARE GETTING A BANG OUT OF INEXPENSIVE ANTIQUE
FIREARM KITS" , Kraft, Virginia, Sports Illustrated, May 23, 1977

Notes from interview with Val Forgett, III

Colt and Chamfering Cylinder Chamber Mouths on Replica Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:04:22 GMT

Chamfering Cylinder Chamber Mouths on Replica Revolvers.

This idea of cutting a ring of lead while loading the ball is not actually a myth, but rather a real mechanical issue that can occur with today's replica revolver cylinder chambers and may have occured with original percussion revolvers. This phenomenon is related to the design and condition of the firearm, particularly when chambers are not properly chamfered or when pressure forces lead to fill gaps in the chamber. There is no real historical documentation for this practice of shaving a ring of lead off the ball while loading as far as I have been able to determine. Instead, a proper machined cylinder will have chamfered chamber mouths and there will be no ring cut with properly chamfered cylinder chamber mouths. Chamfering is the process of beveling the sharp edge of the chamber opening (mouth) to remove the sharp edge, which is what causes the ring of lead to be shaved off. Some have never heard of this concept before and some ask why one would chamfer the chamber mouths. There are actually two reasons for chamfering the mouths (opening) of the chambers in a black powder revolver cylinder.

While doing research on this subject, I came across an interesting account of "premature simultaneous explosions" in "On The Application of Machinery to the Manufacture of Rotating Breech Firearms" by Samuel Colt. It seems that during the time of the manufacture and testing of the Colt Paterson, there was an issue with the "premature explosion from the escape of fire at the mouth of the chamber, or by the intercommunication of ignited detonating caps." This gives us the first reason for chamferig the chamber mouths, as this account from Samuel Colt tells us, it seems chainfire came from either end of the cylinder, from the chamber mouth end and from the cap end of the cylinder, as the account indicates. But Colt had a solution for this incidence of chainfire, which is explained in his own words below in the attached photos. This situation is also why we have shoulders between each chamber at the cone end of the cylinder.

The second reason for chamfering the chamber mouths was a reason that derived from competitive shooters who wanted to get more accuracy out of their revolvers, while at the same time eliminating chainfire.

Chamfering, in this case, was done so that the projectiles would be swaged to fit the chamber rather than shaved to fit. Swaging the ball into the chamber gives more surface area engagement for the ball to better engage the rifling of the barrel, thereby increasing accuracy, while also not reducing the weight of the ball, which shaving a ring does. Shaving a ring off can also leave pockets of air between the ball and chamber wall, especially if non-swaged balls are being used. I have notice from firing before and after chamfering cylinder chambers that the projectiles were noticeably tighter in the chambers when swaged into the chamber rather than being shaved to fit. This is going to create a better seal, and, if using stouter loads, keep the projectiles in place while shooting, as well as maintain compression on the powder. And better compression also aids in reducing fouling.

Not only did Colt chamfer cylinder chamber mouths, it was also done by H. S. North and Savage, inventor of the Savage revolvers.

Today, most all of the replica cap and ball revolvers do not have chamfered chamber mouths, but instead are made with straight walled chambers and sharp chamber mouth edges to simplify production and keep costs down. Yet, we have seen that originals, like Colts and Savages were made with chamfered chamber mouths. And the chamfered mouths did not shave lead rings which made for easier loading and the chambers swaged projectiles down to seal the chambers. The combination of chamfered chamber mouths and tapered chambers eliminated multiple "chain fires" (multiple simultaneous discharges) from the front of the cylinder. Today, with many replicas, "shaving a ring of lead", we see the necessity of chamfering the chamber mouths to eliminate this "ring of lead" so a full grain projectile can be loaded.

As demonstrated in the video above, the idea of a chamber mouth champfer is to only remove the sharp edge from the chamber mouth, thus reducing lead shaving when seating the round ball. I used a hand tool since you only want to remove a small amount, although a drill can be used as well as a drill press.

The chamfering tool I use is from Pacific Tool and Gauge. There are three pieces to the tool, the chamfering bit, the handle and the pilot. In the video I did not use a pilot for the bit, but it is better yo use one if you have never done any chamfering before. This particular tool here is for .44 caliber, but tools are available for various other calibers. They can be found at:

Chamfering bit - https://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/Interchangeable-Pilot-MuzzleCylinder-45-Deg-ChamferingCrowning-Cutter_p_115846.html

Chamfering bit handle - https://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/14-20-Interchangeable-Pilot-Muzzle-Chamfering-and-Crowning-Cutter-Handle_p_115818.html

Chamfering bit pilot - https://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/Interchangeable-Pilots-for-Muzzle-ChamferingCrowning-Cutters_p_115849.html

Metal Fatigue in Replica Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 22:12:39 GMT

Metal Fatigue in Replica Revolvers

I have always been an advocate for following reproduction revolver manufacturer's recommended load data for their revolvers. This load data is there for many reasons and one of those reasons is the reduction of metal fatigue. Metallurgists have determined that 80 percent of all firearm mechanical failures are fatigue failures. Fatigue failures occur after parts are subjected to repeated loads that, individually, may not be large enough to cause a failure. But, after many repetitions, however, a failure can occur. ( American Rifleman, Metal-Fatigue Failures: Is Your Gun at Risk?, George E. Kontis, March 4, 2020)

Metal fatigue is the common name used to describe the unexpected failure of metal parts by progressive fracturing while in service. Metal fatigue is directly related to the number of stress cycles undergone by a part and the level of stress imposed on the part. So metal fatigue is more of a factor of stress than age. While metal does lose some of its strength over time, the loss is quite slow. It will only stretch so many times before it hardens and cracks.

Metal fatigue is based upon an engineering concept known as MTBF, or Mean (average) Time Between Failures. Since the time between failures for a component can depend on factors such as configurations, operating conditions, age, and other external factors, there isn't one “good” MTBF metric. In the case of replica revolvers, it refers to the number of pressure cycles a barrel, recoil shield or cylinder chamber will tolerate before its elastic limit is exceeded. When a pressure vessel fails, it is often not because it is currently being stressed beyond its design limit. It is usually about how much and how many times it was over stressed previously.

Studies have shown that infinite life for a metal part is possible if the local stresses in the part are kept below well-defined limits. Fatigue failures increase if parts have stress raising contours or if stress raisers such as notches, holes and keyways are put into the part. There is also a relationship between a metal’s ultimate tensile strength and hardness and its ability to handle fatigue loads. The higher the tensile strength and hardness the more likely it will fatigue if it is subject to high fluctuating loads. ( Sondalini, M., Metal Fatigue Failure, Accendo Reliability )

Three factors are necessary to cause fatigue failure.

1. A maximum tensile stress of sufficient high value.

2. A large enough variation or fluctuation in the applied stress.

3. A sufficient large number of cycles of the applied stress.

Other variables and factors are: stress concentration, corrosion, temperature, overload, metallurgical structure, including residual stresses and combined stresses which tend to alter the conditions of fatigue. ( Muhammad Ali Siddiqui, Fracture Mechanics & Failure Analysis: Fatigue, NED University of Engineering & Technology )

According to Armida Oradei, the chief metallurgist at Beretta USA, owner of Uberti, “This type of failure is prevented by Beretta via a meticulous selection of the materials during the design phase, followed by a careful analysis of all machining phases, to finally choosing the optimal finishing processes. Beretta, maker of Uberti revolvers, pays a great deal of attention to the prevention of fatigue failures, “… not only during all of the production phases but also to the material surface finishing. Components are machined with great attention in order to avoid machining marks or stress point areas, and they are then heat-treated with dedicated heat-treating cycles. Parts are then completed by passing through many finishing phases such as tumbling, polishing and sandblasting prior to advancing to their final surface finishing treatment. The care taken in the surface preparation is important not only to achieve esthetically attractive and uniform finished components, but also to improve surface characteristics that are of critical importance to avoid stress concentrator areas within the parts. Once the parts are completed, we follow up with magnetic particle inspection on all critical steel components of the firearm.” (K ontis, George E., Metal-Fatigue Failures: Is Your Gun at Risk?, March 4, 2020 )

These revolvers are then tested and sent to the Italian proof house for further proofing and stamped by the proof house accordingly. Recommended load data is included in the manuals packed with every revolver indicating the load data the testing has confirmed is a safe, consistent load when used over many firings and to assist in preventing metal fatigue. There is nothing to suggest this process is much different at any other manufacturer.

4140 steel, which these replica revolvers are composed of, doesn't become brittle, it only increases in yield strength the harder the tempered condition while decreasing in ductility. So while it is possible to have the appearance of brittle failure it is only possible (assuming no heat treating cracks, sharp corners etc) when you have a load far, far beyond anything remotely reasonable and maybe with lots of slack to create an impact load.

Original Colt revolvers were blackheart malleable cast iron until the 1860 Colt came along. Colt advertised they used an alloy called "Silver Steel" in the Model 1860, allowing it to be stronger and lighter than the older model revolvers. Silver steel is also known as tool steel. It’s important to understand the differences between tool steel and 4140 steels. Tool steels offer superior strength but can be susceptible to chipping or breaking under shock loads, whereas 4140 steel has less strength but offers greater impact resistance due to its lower hardness level making it better suited for certain applications where impact loading may occur during use. So those who think today's metallurgy is far superior to the 1860's metallurgy, think again when it comes to replica revolvers.

And then we have the brass frame revolvers that are of a much softer metal than 4140 steel. It is imperative that these brass framed revolvers not be exposed to repeated "hot loads". As seen in the photo of this blog post, they are more susceptible to metal fatigue than steel framed revolvers.

In conclusion, the repeated use of loads over the manufacturer's recommendations will continually add stress to a revolver and, over time, may eventually cause metal fatigue. It will then only be a matter of time before a catastrophic failure of that revolver, possibly harming you or the person next to you if at a range when the failure occurs. Load safely.........and NEVER use smokeless powder in a black powder firearm!

Historical Use of Wads in Percussion Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 19:19:01 GMT

The Historical Use of Wads in Percussion Revolvers

While engaging in research in the historical use of wads in percussion revolvers we find the most detailed use of wads in John Deane's "Deane’s Manual of the History and Science of Fire-arms" published in 1858. He is quite definitive in his explanation of using wads in both revolvers and shotguns and in regards to the use of felt wads, and substituting cork instead of felt.

"Cork, an almost everywhere obtainable" article, will afford a very servicable wad, and indeed, if cut with the punch and knife, of the thickness of the finger (in width all wads should exceed the diameter of the bore by 1/8 of an inch)* and forced down the CHAMBER (emphasis added) or barrel, [shotgun] from its compressive and elastic nature it will fill the chamber or bore of the barrel as hermetically as the best artificially manufactured wadding, prevent all escape of gas, and preserve the whole strength of the powder to the muzzle of the gun. From frequent experience, when unable to procure the manufactured wadding, and requiring a better substitute than the before- mentioned kinds, we have found it effective in giving good ranges and strong shooting, while it has the important advantage of an elastic friction, which combined with its cellular fibre, clears and carries away with it the powder residuum out of the barrel, diminishing, thereby considerably, both the recoil and fouling of the gun. Those who habitually punch their own wads, from sheet, wadding, paste board, felt, & cork, would find this worthy of their attention. Cork of the thickness designated, may be purchased ready cut in convenient lengths at the shop of any cork cutter in most large 'towns. While adverting to the use of the punch as applied to the cutting of felt wads, two small notches made on both sides of the diameter of the punch so conform the wad, that its descent to the bottom of the barrel is facilitated, admits of the free revulsion of the gas after the combustion of the previous charge, and its uninterrupted issue by those small indentations in the periphery of the wad. In the manufactured article of wadding, we must do justice to the superiority of those of English make over all that we have met with abroad. The chemical wad of white wool, derives its superiority from the mixture of grease and stearine coloured with orcanet, with which it is imbued. It cleans the gun most effectively, and lessens thereby the recoil ; facilitates loading, and keeps the barrels in a regular shooting condition for a long time. The well known thick concave wad of Messrs. Eley is also good for many reasons — its thickness, by interposing some substantially filled space between shot and powder charge, diminishes the recoil — the concavity of its form drives the shot in an uniform manner before it, and tends to lessen their friction against the sides of the barrel — from its duplex features of concavity and length, it cannot like the flat wad take a rotatory movement in its passage to the muzzle, and from its confining the gas more effectively and in a more restricted space it imparts a more concentrated impulsion to the shot, cleaning the barrel equally with the chemical wadding, being prepared in a like manner — but it is only adapted for a powder wad, for put upon the shot it increases the recoil very sensibly, and not the range. Mr. Wilkinson's metallic wad has the merit assigned to it of cleaning the barrel effectually, and keeping the shot well together. In exceptional cases its use may be advantageous, viz., in a long day's shooting, used now and then to cleanse the barrel ; but as a frequent appliance, we should think it deterioration of the bore, yet far preferable in many respects to Walker's thin metallic scraping wad."

Deane's writing gives details on the use of wads in revolvers and shotguns and why they should be used. We now know that lubed wads were used at least as early as the writing of Deane's book in the mid-1850's.

In the photo above of the Kerr revolver, we actually see a tin of felt wads from Whitworth & Co. included in the original cased set. These were also used in the Whitworth rifle. And in the photo below some sets included lube for both bullets and wads.

It is important to note that the first the Deane and Adams revolver was greatly indebted to the wadded ball. It was the wad that was attached to the tang of the bullet that protruded from the base of the bullet that kept the ball in place since it had no loading lever or rammer and was loaded by hand. Below we can see the procedure for loading the wadded ball.

Below we see the actual wadded balls on the bottom left of the photo.

Later improvements of the Adams revolver added a loading rammer to the left side of the barrel on the revolver as we see on the Tranter revolver below, but they continued to use the lubed wad as part of the load.

Today, many collectors of reproduction revolvers continue to use lubed wads with round balls and with conicals in their revolvers and some do not. Those that do not generally cite the original Colt loading instructions that indicate not to use any wadding. Wadding, as opposed to a singular wad, was typically used in rifles, and we are not sure that was the referenced term used in the Colt loading instructions here.

But we do find reference to the use of wads in Colt revolvers in the Charles Pate text "The Colt Walker Army Revolver. In the spring of 1850, it seems that Gen. Brooke had written to the AG requesting arms including Colt revolvers. The Secretary had approved the issue limiting it to only 50 Colt !st Model Dragoons. Prior to this, Gen. Brooke had requested that if the Colt revolvers (referring to the Dragoons) could not be supplied, he wanted the ramrods of his existing revolvers lengthened so that the ball would "...be driven down upon the powder with certainty". By this time, the conical ball had been universally discarded because it had been found to be too difficult to load and less accurate to fire.

Regarding the comments about "lengthening revolver ramrods, COO Talbot, the Chief Ordnance Officer, indicated "it is not deemed proper to lengthen the ramrods of Colt's revolvers as this would prove injurious to the use of the arms. All that is necessary is to place a wad over the powder when a round ball is used, which will accomplish the desired objective". Evidently, the use of wads with the Dragoons must have become a common practice.

The main point of using wadding from a historical perspective was to keep fouling down in the barrel and around the cylinder and as a filler, as in the Dragoons. The early British revolvers were predominantly top frame revolvers that would have fouling collect around the top frame as well as in the barrel. We see this issue today with the Remington New Army revolvers. The Colt revolvers, being open top, seemingly did not have this fouling issue and therefore, Colt recommended wads not be used later on. The Colt revolvers also have a larger arbor that has grease grooves for lubing the arbor to reduce fouling where the Adams and Remingtons did not.

So there is historical evidence of lubed wads being used, especially with the British percussion revolvers. So to indicate that lubed wads were not used in the mid-1800's would be an error.

References:

Deane, John, Deanes' Manual of the History and Science of Fire-Arms, 1858 pp. 166-167, 211-212

Pate, Charles W., The Colt Walker Army Revolver, 2020, pp. 50-51

The Brooklyn Bridge 1849 Colt Pocket Brevete Revolver

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:54:03 GMT

The Brooklyn Bridge 1849 Colt Pocket Brevete Revolver

Historically, Colt firearms were made in Paterson, NJ, Hartford, CT and London, England. There were also the licensed firearms made in Belgium and other unlicensed “faux Colts” made in other parts of the world. These licensed and infringement firearms made in Belgium and other countries have become known as Colt Brevetes. And we can consider them replicas in their own right.

The majority of Colt Brevetes were copies of the Colt M1851 Navy. Others, although not as numerous, were Patersons, Walkers, Dragoons, Baby Dragoons, 1849 Pocket, Wells Fargo, and other variants of the afore mentioned. But one that tends to stand out as being different from all the rest is the “Brooklyn Bridge” 1849 Colt Brevete.

These “Brooklyn Bridge” Brevetes were made in Belgium in the 1890’s up to about 1914, the beginning of WWI. The name comes from the roll engraved cylinder scene showing a suspended bridge with what looks like a steam powdered train crossing the bridge and several boats on the water below the bridge. There is no way to know if the scene actually depicts the “Brooklyn Bridge in New York City which had a completion date of 1883.

It seems about 200 of the Brooklyn Bridge Brevet revolvers were found in almost new condition in Toulon, France back in 1950 in a government arsenal. They slowly found their way to dealers in America and other countries and eventually into personal collections.[1]

Research has shown that the Brooklyn Bridge Brevete revolvers were made in Liege, Belgium by at least three gunmakers. The first and probably most well known was F. Dumoulin & Company, SA in Rue Their de la Fontaine, Belgium whose catalog offered .31 and .35 caliber “Colt a Pistons” percussion revolvers in both 5 and 6 shot models, all being Colt 1849 copies. The grips featured were typically wood or bone and the revolvers were plain or engraved and were plated or not. They all contained the Brooklyn Bridge cylinder scene. All were unfinished “in the white” until a customer determined which finish they preferred, then finished to the customers preference. They were available in 8 different barrel lengths including 2.5”, 3”, 3.5”, 4”, 4.5”, 4.75”, 5.5”, 6” and 7.5”.

Another manufacturer was J. B. Ronge Fils located at Place St. Jean, 4, Leige, Belgium.[2] In 1900 their catalog Number 53 offered Colt Brevete Model 1849 with .5.” and 6.5” barrels, roll engraved Brooklyn Bridge cylinders several style grips with frames plain or engraved and were either plated or plain. Ronge also offered Colt Brevete Model 1851 Navy revovlers that were blued or nickel plated and engraved or not.

A third manufacturer of the Brooklyn Bridge Brevete at the turn of the 19th century was W. Schnorrenberg, another Belgian manufacturer. An example of their brevete is a .36 caliber, 5 shot revolver with a 6.5” barrel with The cylinder marked parallel to the arbor, W.SCHNORRENBERG & FILS. Underneath the barrel is stamped with the “crossed keys”. The cylinder is stamped with the ELG Leige oval and a star with a crown mark. The Adolf Frank Export Company of Hamburg Germany offed these Ronge made revolvers in their 1811 catalog with at least 134 different variations.

Most of the Brooklyn Bridge Model 1849 Pocket revolvers have unusual “crossed keys” stamped on top of the barrel and/or on other places like the bottom of the loading lever lug. William B. Edwards observed that these marks were stylized imitations of the British Army proof mark, which was the crossed pennants, but this is not known for sure.[3] These crossed keys have also been said to be the marks of the German importer, Adolf Frank (ALFA) yet this has not been proven as well. Yet the crossed keys are one of the main identifying stamps on these Brooklyn Bridge Brevetes.

It is next to impossible to know exactly how many Brooklyn Bridge Revolvers were made simply due to the fact that the records of these gunmakers no longer exist. Serial numbers were usually not consecutive so a serial number study would be next to futile. The study conducted by Roy Marcot and Ron Paxton has concluded that fewer than 5% of all Brevete revolvers made were Brooklyn Bridge revolvers.[4]

As with most Belgian made percussion revolvers, the Brooklyn Bridge Brevete revolvers had to be proofed at the Leige Proof House in Liège, Belgium. Those proof marks consisted of the definitive black powder proof for breech loading guns, small bore guns and handguns, and the inspector’s marks. The temporary inspector’s mark consisted of one or two capital letters with a small star above. Once finished, the revolver was re-inspected and then marked with the final proof mark, the ELG in the oval with a crown above the oval.

Belgian made Brevet revolvers also had final acceptance marks on particular parts produced by individual gun parts makers which was a cottage industry in Belgium. The stamps was usually a crown over an alphabet letter from A through Z. Sometimes the Brevetes can have two different marks on the same part.

Many Colt Brevete revolvers were made at the turn of the 19th century. We will probably never know the real reason why these gun makers made these copies of the Colt percussion revolvers, but more especially, the “Brooklyn Bridge Colt Brevete Revolver.

ENDNOT ES:

[1] William B. Edwards , The Story of Colt’s Revolver. Harrisburg, PA, 1953
[2] Golden State Arms Catalog , page 97.
[3] William B. Edwards , The Story of Colt’s Revolver. Harrisburg, PA, 1953
[4] Roy Marcot & Ron Paxton, Colt Brevete Revolvers, Tucson, AZ, 2011

Collecting the .31 Caliber Replica Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:32:48 GMT

Collecting the .31 Caliber Replica Revolvers

The .31 caliber. revolvers are an interesting group of replica revolvers that offer enough variations to be collectable in and of themselves. There are many models and variations within those models of the .31 caliber revolvers, yet some are quite rare. Listed are a number of the variations that Dr. James H. Davis had uncovered in his extensive research. It is interesting to note that in the original Colt .31 caliber revolvers, two different size frames were produced, the short frame with no capping groove and the transition to the longer frame with a capping groove. [1] In the lists below, the Short Frame (SF) and Long Frame (LF) are listed beside each revolver as well as the Loading Lever (LL).

1848 Baby Dragoon .31cal. Five Shot (Square Back Trigger Guard)

1. 1848 Baby Dragoon Short Frame(SF) with LL - Brass SqBk TG & BkS
2. 1848 Baby Dragoon Short Frame(SF) with LL - Silver SqBk TG & BkS
3. 1848 Baby Dragoon Short Frame(SF) with LL - Brass SqBk TG & BkS - Barrel
Wedge from Right
4. 1848 Baby Dragoon Short Frame(SF) without LL - Brass SqBk TG & BkS
5. 1848 Baby Dragoon Short Frame(SF) without LL - Silver SqBk TG & BkS
6. 1848 Baby Dragoon Long Frame(LF) In White without LL -
Brass SqBk TG & BkS - Oval Cylinder Stops
7. 1848 Baby Dragoon Long Frame(LF) with LL - Brass SqBk TG & BkS -
Oval Cylinder Stops
8. 1848 Baby Dragoon Long Frame(LF) with LL - Silver SqBk TG & BkS –
Oval Cylinder Stops

1849 Pocket Model .31cal. Five Shot (Oval Trigger Guard)

1. 1849 Pocket Model Short Frame(SF) - Brass TG & BkS
2. 1849 Pocket Model Short Frame(SF) - Silver TG & BkS
3. 1849 Pocket Model Short Frame(SF) - Brass BkS & TG - Dragoon Barrel
4. 1849 Pocket Model Long Frame(LF) - Brass TG & BkS
5. 1849 Pocket Model Long Frame(LF) - Silver TG & BkS

1849 Wells Fargo Model .31cal. Five Shot (Oval Trigger Guard)

1. 1849 Wells Fargo Short Frame(SF) - Brass BkS & TG
2. 1849 Wells Fargo Short Frame(SF) - Silver BkS &
3. 1849 Wells Fargo Long Frame(LF) - Brass BkS & TG
4. 1849 Wells Fargo Long Frame(LF) – Brass BkS & TG
5. 1849 Wells Fargo Long Frame(LF) - Silver BkS & TG)

1 855 Roots Side Hammer

1. 1855 Roots Side hammer .31cal. - 3 ½” barrel
2. 1855 Roots Side hammer .31cal. - 5 ½” barrel

Baby Dragoon Revolvers .31cal. - Brass Frame

1. 1848 Baby Dragoon Brass .31cal. with loading lever - 4” Barrel
2. 1848 Baby Dragoon Brass .31cal. with loading lever - 4” Barrel - Engraved
3. 1848 Baby Dragoon Brass .31cal. with loading lever - 6” Barrel
4. 1848 Baby Dragoon Brass .31cal. with loading lever - 6” Barrel - Engraved
5. 1849 Wells Fargo Brass .31cal. - 4” Barrel

Remington New Model Pocket

1. 1863 New Model Pocket Brass
2. 1863 New Model Pocket Steel
3. 1863 New Model Pocket Nickel

The Replica Arms Baby Dragoons and Pocket Models are all five shot and not six shot. Colt produced the 1849 Pocket Model in both five shot and six shot but Dr. Davis was not aware of any replicas with six shot cylinder. This information is taken from part of the book that Dr. Davis had been researching for many years.

In the replicas the only difference between the Baby Dragoon and the Pocket Models is that the Baby Dragoons have a square back trigger guard. The Pocket Model with oval trigger guard without the loading lever is called the Wells Fargo Model.

Manufacturers of the .31 cal Replica Revolvers.

It is interesting to note again that the original Colt .31 cal. revolvers had two different size frames and used oval cylinder stops and rectangular cylinder stops. Also, on the early original Baby Dragoons, the frame is shorter than on the later models. This is found in the replica revolvers as well but in reverse order.

Only four manufacturers made the Colt .31 cal. replica revolvers. They were Armi San Marco, Palmetto, Uberti, and Colt in both 2nd & 3rd Generation Series. Both ASM and Pietta made the Remington 1863 Pocket Model. Only Pietta made these in steel and nickel plated.
Armi San Marco was the first to produce the Baby Dragoons and Pocket Models. They all have the Short Frame and Rectangular Cylinder Stops. This is just the opposite from the original which had short frames but oval cylinder stops. ASM produced both the Baby Dragoons and Pocket Models in addition to the Remington 1863 New Model Pocket. The first observed ASM markings on .31 cal. revolvers are in the mid to late 1960’s.

Palmetto produced both an 1855 Roots Sidehammer in .31 caliber and an 1849 Colt Pocket Model. The only observed .31 cal. Palmetto production was an 1849 Pocket Model. It was marked “HARTFORT POCKET MODEL “ on top of the barrel. The Serial Number was on the Cylinder with the Palmetto logo of a Palm Tree. It has a Long Frame with Rectangular Cylinder Stops.

There were three options for those wishing to tackle a Palmetto Root pistol. The .31 cal. version comes with a plain round cylinder and a three and a half inch round barrel or the 5 and a half inch barrel. The octagonal barrel offered on the original Colts is not available in this reproduction. While the large caliber and longer barrel of the pistol are historically incorrect, it is nevertheless a very interesting combination and could prove popular with those wanting a little more punch from a pocket pistol.

The Uberti .31 cal. Baby Dragoon revolvers have the Long Frame and Oval Cylinder Stops, again, just the opposite of the original Colt revolvers. The Pocket Models have Long Frames and Rectangular Cylinder Stops. From revolvers observed (over 100) it appears that Uberti did not start producing any .31cal. revolvers until the early 1980’s. They did, however, provide rough cast parts to Colt in the late 1970’s for its 2nd Generation “F” Series Baby Dragoon.

Colt produced the 1848 Baby Dragoon in both the 2nd & 3rd Generation Series. It offered a Cased Limited Edition of this model in a 1 of 500 edition, as well as, a regular issue in the 2nd Generation Series. Colt Blackpowder Arms offered only a regular issue in the 3rd Generation or Signature Series. Since Colt had Uberti making rough castings of certain parts, the Colt 2nd Generation Baby Dragoons had this same configuration as Uberti of Long Frame with Oval Cylinder Stops and since Colt Blackpowder Arms was using all Uberti parts, the 3rd Generation Baby Dragoons had this same configuration as Uberti of Long Frame with Oval Cylinder Stops.

The Replica Arms .31 cal. revolvers may have either plain cylinders, the Ormsby’s Ranger & Indian Fight, or Ormsby’s Stagecoach Holdup engravings. The size of the frame is measured from the face of the flash guard to the front of the frame where the barrel attaches to the frame. The Short Frame measures 1 5/8” and the Long Frame is 1 ¾”. They can be readily be identified by the difference in distance between the back of the barrel and the front of the cylinder.

An added note:

It is not really known when Colt stopped using the Oval Cylinder Stop and started using the Rectangular Cylinder Stop. Even though the Oval Cylinder Stop is usually associated with the short frame this style could very easily have been used on the first Long Frame Baby Dragoons. The cylinders are the same length. It was the barrel that was modified to accommodate the longer frame. This change took place in what was called the “Transition Period” in the manufacture of the original Old Model Pocket Pistol.[2]

One of the more unusual replica Baby Dragoons is the short frame with rectangular cylinder stops. EIG, an importer in Florida, imported these. EIG was also the first importer to bring in the replica Schneider & Glassick. They marketed the Schneider & Glassick as a Reb Navy. The EIG Dragoon also has an unusual cylinder engraving that Dr. Davis had never seen before. It is not the usual Ormsby Stagecoach Scene, but appears to be the variation of the original Ormsby engraving on the 1848 Baby Dragoon. The manufacturer appears to be Armi San Marco. The only other would be Palmetto but the Baby Dragoons and Pocket Models they produced had the Long Frame.

All brass frame revolvers that Dr. Davis had seen marked EIG are from a manufacturer using a "GLB" logo on the butt. Luciano Giacosa, using the GLB logo, also made revolvers imported by EUROMANUARMS . Euromanuarms was created in the 60s by Giacosa in Brescia who distributed antique weapon reproductions he made in the USA under the brand name Euromanuarms. The marking on weapons was the same stylized GLB punch. This firm no longer exists. EIG also went out of business as a result of a legal action and their surplus stock was purchased by FIE, another Florida importer. RPRCA has a Schneider & Glassick marked "GLB" and FIE on the butt which was one of EIG's revolvers. FIE used a manufacturer using a "PR" logo, used by Italian arms maker Officina Meccanica Armi Riva Esterina & Co for his black powder replicas line. Riva Esterina also used the DART mark for another line of guns. The PR marking is to be found on replicas made from 1971 or 1972 up to 1979 or 1980. The PR line was imported into the USA and sold there by EIE, FIE, EIG and other importers.

At this time it is difficult to put a definite value on any replica revolver because the collecting market is still in its infancy. Dr. Davis did not consider the Blue Book as a legitimate guide for replica percussion revolvers because they have no real basis for their pricing. He did, as do I, consider the Blue Book as a starting point for the special commemorative issues because they list the original list price and the number that were to be produced. Dr. Davis was working on a way of establishing a collector value for the replica revolvers that is based on the number made (if available), what the revolvers seem to sell for on various auctions and classified ads, and the number of revolvers that have appeared on the market (this is based on the number that he had actually seen or was informed about over the past 25 years.). He was working on putting a "rarity" value based on these three categories of say 1-5 or 1-10. It is very speculative just as all the other price guides. Dr. Davis was also seeking input on some system from current and interested collectors.

Endnotes:

[1] P. L. Shumaker , Colt’s Variations of the Old Model Pocket Pistol 1846 – 1872, Fadco Publishing, 1957.

[2] P. L. Shumaker , Colt’s Variations of the Old Model Pocket Pistol 1846 – 1872, Fadco Publishing, 1957.

Brass Frame Replica Revolvers

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:54:47 GMT

In Praise of Brass Frame Replica Revolvers

While doing some research a few years ago, I came across this article by a fellow cap and ball shooter on his experience with brass framed revolvers. I appreciated his comments and decided it was worthy of sharing. I do not know the author’s exact name, since the article was written under an alias, ORLCL, but I believe it may be Blackie Thomas*, whose YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/blackoracle69/videos

"1000 30, 35, 40 grain rounds fired through Pietta 1851 Colt "Confederate" .44 cal brass frame without frame damage/gun loosening. How I did it:"

“I have been into black powder firearms for about 10 years now. Pietta is my favorite for BP revolvers, however I do like the old ASM's just for novelty. It's most important to first note that the BP replica revolvers made by Pietta today (over the last 5 or 6 years) are leaps and bounds higher quality than they used to be thru the 1960's - 1990's. They're just as well built as any other sub-$1000 revolver whether it be made by S&W, Colt, etc. The brass and steel Pietta uses is much stronger than it used to be, the hardening is done better, and the component fitment is tighter. No where else can you find such a well built .44 caliber revolver for $149.99.”

“Now, onto the much debated topic of brass frame .44 revolvers. (The .36 brasser doesn't suffer from the same issues as the .44 though the information can still apply). The brass frame .44's took a bad reputation over the years due to "frame stretching" with reports of people rendering their gun unfireable within 100 shots at only 25 grain loads. Most called this "frame stretching" which is NOT what occurs. The frame doesn't stretch. There are two things which may happen. One: the cylinder recoils backward into the frame when fired. The hammer pushes the cylinder forward when it contacts the nipple, and then the ball leaving the barrel slams the cylinder backward into the frame. Hammering or "peening" the brass at its contact points. Here is an example of a badly peened frame:

As the cylinder loosens up between the barrel and frame, the peening effect worsens. This effect can also occur on loose steel frame revolvers just the same if hot loads are continually used. Eventually it will become so bad that the gun will not fire, or be unsafe to fire.

Second: the steel arbor is threaded into the brass frame. At high loads the arbor will eventually pull itself out of the frame, stripping the threads, and damaging the gun. This is no longer an issue on newer revolvers as the threads are now tapped deeper, longer (more material to thread into), and finer (more surface area). With a tapered pin hammered and brazed into a notch on the rear arbor, further adding to the strength of the arbor to frame connection. As a matter of fact, this used to be an issue on BOTH steel and brass frame revolvers, it wasn't just brass.”

“Now, Pietta doesn't actually make the brass or steel they use. Stock is purchased from a materials supplier, then Pietta works it to the components they need. The brass used in frames today is considerably stronger than that of past revolvers. I'm awaiting a response from Pietta on the type of brass used, but it's most likely C360 "Free Machine Brass" which has a high zinc content, and also has a small amount of tin and lead making for a very hard brass product which can be machined easily however it is not very malleable: AKA not flexible, will not bend and compress easily. (Although it could even be C464 "Naval Brass" which is even stronger.) The yield strength of these two brasses nearly matches that of many types of mild steel, though the tensile strength of steel is considerably higher and hardening/forging increases this as well. The steel used in steel frame Pietta's is case hardened mild steel, it is not forged. The brass used in older guns was far more inconsistent, often it contained very low quantities of zinc, no tin at all, making for a soft product. Not good for the hammering forces of a .44 round.”

“Frames are first cast into the overall shape to create frame blanks, then they are loaded into CNC machinery which mill the blanks into the desired form. The computer of course is highly precise and does not make mistakes. The final assembly, fitting, and polishing is all done by hand with the help of some powered machinery. This hand fitting can result in some differences of the final product: mainly the cylinder to barrel gap. In Pietta revolvers this usually ranges between .006" and .012". All safe ranges when only shooting 15 grain loads, however if you want to shoot hotter loads without damaging your gun, tighter is important. When purchasing a revolver it's important to examine several different ones of the same model to choose the tightest one.”

***Before going any further, if you have zero mechanical/metalworking experience and/or no confidence in your ability to learn how to work on guns then I do not recommend attempting this yourself. Have a gunsmith do it, or simply leave your gun as is.

“Keeping the cylinder to barrel gap tight is the most important thing to prevent your brass frame revolver from peening. My gun was a bit of a lemon as it had a .014" gap from the factory. I have my cylinder to barrel gap set at .003" which is tight enough that there is no noticeable play in the cylinder at all. Having it that tight also prevents less gas from escaping, resulting in a more powerful shot. Although some recommend .004" with BP. To tighten the gap, the end of the arbor is filed. It doesn't take much, so carefully file a little at a time and test fit. It's very important to keep the file level to maintain a flat surface. Also the barrel lug will need material removed as the arbor is shortened. The two steel pins can simply be pulled out. I like to leave the lug about .001" to .002" longer than the arbor, this creates a tighter fit when the wedge is assembled. As material is removed from the arbor the wedge will fit deeper in. If your starting point is only .008" and you go to .004" then your original wedge will work fine. Since my gun was .014" factory I put a small weld at the front of the wedge slot on the arbor, then filed it as needed to properly fit the wedge. A thin steel shim can also be made to slide on the front part of the wedge instead. The wedge is only used to hold the two halves of the gun together, it is not used to adjust cylinder gap (as seen with Uberti). The arbor should be fully seated in the barrel, and the wedge lightly tapped in. This creates a tighter more consistent fit which will result in greater accuracy. The length of the arbor controls cylinder gap, not the depth of the wedge.”

“Another thing I like to do is put a nice coating of bore butter on the contact points between the back of the cylinder and the brass ring where it rides on the frame. This will tighten the gap even further and create a cushioning effect when firing. Also it keeps fouling soft.”
“Something else you can do to tighten the side to side play of the cylinder is to put a very thin shim between the top of the trigger spring and the bottom of the bolt (the two fingered spring that locks the cylinder bolt + trigger in place). This will push the bolt up with more force, locking the cylinder in even tighter when the hammer is cocked. And by thin I mean like thin as a razorblade. I used a piece of a pocket watch mainspring, though most of us don't have those laying around. Cutting down a small strip of razor blade will work well.”

“As I stated in the title, I've fired about 1000 rounds through my Pietta 1851 brass frame revolver. I typically shot 30 to 35 grain loads though I've gone up to 40. Also much of the time I was using Triple 7, which is considerably more powerful than BP (though classic FFFg BP is my favorite). I also shoot .457 round balls which form a much tighter fit than .451 or .454, further increasing the forces involved in a shot. I've taken big bucks with this pistol, coyotes, groundhogs, squirrels, and other vermin. It's even my home defense firearm. The 44 caliber soft lead roundball has significant stopping force. I roll up paper cartridges with 30gr powder, corn meal, .457 ball, using magnum percussion caps. Using my paper cartridges + capper I can reload all 6 chambers nearly as fast as someone can unload and reload a .357 magnum.”

“I hope I've helped to dispel some of the inconclusive information floating around out there on these brass framed revolvers. Brass frame guns are my absolute favorite, so if you like brass as well do not shy away from that shiny new brass framed Pietta!”

*The author is indeed, Blackie Thomas and this has been used with his permission.

The MOFRA, Euromanufacture, Palmetto Connection

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:39:07 GMT

The MOFRA, Euromanufacture, Palmetto Connection

A maker’s mark that we often see stamped on older reproduction revolvers is that of the double diamonds. The double intersecting diamond logo is that of EUROMANUFACTURE IMPORT AND EXPORT (EIE). Known in Europe as EUROMANUFACTURE A. Mainardi, EIE was only a distribution company due to the fact that they did not have a license to manufacture.

Prior to founding EUROMANUFATURE, in the 1960’s, Alamiro Mainardi was a maker that had started MOFRA, an acronym for Mainardi Officina Fabrica Replica Armi, which, when translated into English means Mainardi Workshop Factory of Reproduction Weapons. The MOFRA stamp was simply the acronym in all upper case letters. MOFRA held a manufacturing license and, for a period of time, was the initial manufacture for EIE when it was founded. In the past, many have mistakenly translated Mainardi Officina Fabrica Replica Armi to mean Mainardi Official Manufacturer of Replica Arms, meaning that they were Replica Arms, but that is not the case.

In 1971 in Brescia, Italy, Alamiro Mainardi, with his brother, expanded into distribution and became EUROMANUFACTURE. Their logo for distribution became the double diamond logo. The interlocking diamonds represented the two brothers partnership. And, according to the folks at Palmetto, the eventual buyer of Euromanufacture, the acronym of the EIE company logo is also represented by the two diamonds intersecting one another, symbolizing the letters "EIE", as well.

Euromanufacture Import & Export, better known as EIE, became MOFRA's distribution company and distributed more than 75 models of black powder weapons. As a distribution company, EIE also distributed for different manufacturers besides MOFRA like Renzo Lussignoli, Fabbrica d'Armi Esterina Riva (PR), Chiappa, Palmetto (until the merger) and others. This is why we see other maker's marks on EIE distributed weapons like the PR mark used by Fabbrica d'Armi Esterina Riva for their black powder replicas.

EIE traded mostly with the American market and less with the European market. EIE was eventually bought out and merged with Palmetto in 1980 and Palmetto then became the successor of both MOFRA and EIE.

Palmetto was known predominately for their replica of the Model 1861 Whitney Navy Revolver and 1855 Colt Side Hammer Revolving Carbine. Their logo was a palm tree in a circle. Sometimes we see the Palmetto “P” stamped on the barrel which is stylized to make one think of a palm
tree.

Palmetto di Mainardi produced a replica of the Whitney and Colt Side Hammer 1855. Their logo is a palm tree in a circle. Sometimes we see the Palmetto P stamped on the barrel stylized to make one think of a palm tree. Palmetto produced revolvers mostly for Dixie Gun Works in the early 1980's. They may have also sold to other distributors of that time who did not mark their guns. The Dr. James H. Davis Collection at RPRCA had eight Palmetto revolvers in its collection.

Spiller & Burr – - Mfg date 1983 - Marked: SPILLER AND BURR CAL .36 DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. (Palm Tree logo Left Side Frame)

Remington New Model Army - Mfg date not marked - Marked: REMINGTON NEW MODEL ARMY .44 CALIBER DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. (Palm Tree logo on Cylinder)

1849 Pocket 6” Barrel (Actually 5 3/3”) – Mfg date not marked - Marked: Only Palm Tree logo on Cylinder.

1861 Whitney – Mfg date 1982 – Marked: 1861 E. WHITNEY .36 CALIBER

1861 Whitney – Mfg date 2002 – Marked: 1861 E. WHITNEY .36 CALIBER

(2) 1855 “Root” Side Hammer 3½” Barrel .31cal. – Mfg 2003 – Marked: MADE IN ITALY BY PALMETTO (Right Side Barrel)

1855 “Root” Side Hammer 5½” Barrel .36cal. – Mfg 2004 – Marked: MADE IN ITALY BY PALMETTO (Under Loading Lever)

The markings on the Remington New Model Army and the 1849 Pocket indicate that these were manufactured in the early 1980’s. Dixie Gun Works was marking their revolvers at this time and the only Palmetto identification was the Palm Tree logo. The 1849 Pocket has only the Palm Tree logo and .31 Caliber on right side of barrel. The Remington and 1849 Pocket of the early 1980’s appear to be assembled parts possibly supplied by other manufacturers. There is no manufacturer info, no date of manufacture, etc., except for the Palm Tree logo on the cylinder.

Another revolver by Palmetto observed is an 1849 Pocket with a 4” Barrel. It is marked: HARTFORD POCKET MODEL (On top of barrel), (Palm Tree logo) PALMETTO BRESCIA ITALY (Left side of barrel), .31 CALIBER BLACK POWDER ONLY (Right side of barrel). “Hartford” is a brand usually used by EMF.

There is a period from around 1983 to 2002 that Palmetto was no longer active in the manufacture of replica percussion revolvers. In 2000 they appeared again with a very well done brochure announcing their complete line of firearms, among which, were six revolvers. In 2002 they produced a pocket catalog of their products which included twenty nine replica revolvers.

It is not clear whether they were going to produce these revolvers themselves or distribute revolvers of other manufacturers in addition to their own. The 1861 Whitney and the 1855 “Roots” Side Hammer were of their own manufacture. They advertise that they will produce the 1855 “Roots” in .31cal. with both the 3½” & 5½” barrel. Only the 3½” has been observed. Deer Creek old the 1855 “Roots” in .36cal. with a 5½” barrel. Also, Dixie Gun Works carried the Palmetto “Roots” Revolving Rifle at a hefty $1500+.

In those latter years, Palmetto assembled much of their product from other makers parts, maintaining the tradition of MOFRA, where they had their roots. Palmetto ceased manufacturing in 2007 and eventually became a retail gun shop operation still in existence today as Armeria Palmetto in Brescia, Italy, dealing only in modern firearms. They do have a web site: http://www.palmetto.it

In review, MOFRA was the original manufacturing arm of the replica revolvers and EIE (Euromanufacture) was the distribution company for MOFRA and others, using the double diamond logo. Palmetto ultimately absorbed both companies, becoming a notable name in the reproduction black powder firearms market, especially in the U.S. This connection is significant for collectors and historians because it explains the overlapping marks and distribution channels found on Italian-made black powder revolver replicas from the 1960s through the 1980s.

~ from the notes of Dr. Jim Davis and Roy L. Oak

The Cimarron Firearms Co. Story

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:17:05 GMT

The Cimarron F. A., Co. Story

Cimarron Firearms is an American firearms importer that has been in operation since 1984. The company's field of specialty is reproduction firearms from the American Civil War to the end of the Old Westperiod. Founded by Mike Harvey in Houston, Texas, the company is now based in Fredericksburg, Texas.[1]

Cimarron produces firearms within the industry of western reproduction arms. The firearms are manufactured to their specifications by Uberti and Davide Pedersoli in Brescia, Italy. Uberti makes their revolvers, lever action rifles as well as the 1885 single shot falling block rifle, and shotguns. Pedersoli makes rolling block and falling block single shot rifles to their specifications. In 2011 Cimarron contracted Armscor to manufacture a pre-World War 2 pattern 1911 semiautomatic pistol to their specifications.[2]

History

The Cimarron Arms story actually begins with Leonard Frank Allen, who had started Replica Arms, in El Paso, Texas in 1962, with the first Colt 1847 Walker replica, made by Armi San Marco. In 1965 the company was sold and moved to Marietta, Ohio, with Ken Phelps as President. In 1973-74 Replica Arms was bought out by Val Forgett and Navy Arms. Meanwhile, in Santa Fe, Allen started Western Arms Corp.[3] in the early 70's. In 1980 he found himself the subject of a lawsuit brought on by the Olin Corporation (Winchester) for trade name infringement with the company name, Western Arms Corp. Olin Corporation owned Winchester Western ammunition, so Leonard Allen was forced to dissolve Western Arms Corp and two separate companies were then formed, Allen Firearms Company and Western Gun Stores, Inc. It's the Western Arms Corp and Western Gun Stores, Inc. that is sometimes confused with Westerner's Arms. Westerner's Arms was a European private label used for weapons distributed in the US, France, Germany and Belgium for Uberti, under the Westerner's Arms stamp. [4]

Meanwhile, what is now known as Cimarron Firearms had started its formation in 1977 as a muzzle loading shop and sporting goods store in Houston, Texas, known as "Bigfoot". Mike Harvey, who owned the shop, ordered plans for a Hawken rifle from a museum and built his first replica from scratch. As the economy worsened due to the early 1980s oil depression in Texas, Harvey sought to diversify his stock by selling replica old-west firearms. Around 1984, he entered into a joint venture with Allen Fire Arms importing Uberti revolvers from Italy. Allen Firearms Company eventually went out of business in 1987, and Old-West Gun Co., now Cimarron F.A. in Fredericksburg, TX, bought the remaining inventory of Allen Firearms. [4]

Dissatisfied with quality, as the guns were larger than the historical pieces upon which they were based and were covered with numerous proof marks that detracted from their appearance, Harvey contacted Uberti and sent specific instructions regarding the forging of revolver frames, metal polishing and case hardening. He followed this up by sending antique firearms from the time periods he wanted, and had Uberti build those firearms to his specifications. Finally he had the proof marks relocated to less conspicuous areas of the firearms in keeping with Italian law and enhancing their appearance.[4][5]

Cimarron was the first firearms company to offer antique finishes on modern made firearms, such as charcoal-bone case hardening.[3][5] Some finishes are applied in Europe prior to import, and some are applied to bare frames and barrels upon arriving in the US.[3] Firearms author John Taffinhas credited Cimarron Arms and its competitor Navy Arms as being instrumental in restoring realism to replica period firearms.[5][6]

Another finish pioneered by the company was that of antiquated metal with engraving. This gives the appearance of a time-worn antique in a new firearm. The engraving on these revolvers matches the time period in which they were made. Percussion revolvers, for example, feature what is known as the New York or Louis Daniel Nimschke style of engraving from the 1850s, while the Cimarron Model P revolvers are decorated in the later style of Colt's engraver Cuno Helfricht.[7]

The company maintains a retail shop that specializes in period clothing, accessories and Cimarron firearms known as Texas Jack's Wild West Outfitters, named for Texas Jack Omohundro, as Harvey owns several of his firearms. The shop caters primarily to the film industry and Old West re-enactors.[8]

References :

1. Shideler, Dan (August 20, 2010). Guns Illustrated 2011: The Latest Guns, Specs & Prices. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 53–54. ISBN 1-4402-1624-X.
2. Chicoine, David (2005). Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols, Rifles & Shotguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 43. ISBN 0-87349-767-8.

3. There was a Western Arms Company that sold cap-lock revolvers in New York City during the American Civil War, and also a Western Arms and Cartridge Company based in Chicago that was purchased by Winchester after World War II and a Western Arms Corp. of Los Angeles. Neither of these companies are related in any way to the Western Arms Corporation of Santa Fe, NM.
4. Smith, James (2003). "Development of the Replica: Cimarron Firearms Company". Shoot Magazine. 23 (4).
5. Taffin, John (October 12, 2005). Single Action Sixguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 191–193. ISBN 0-87349-953-0.
6. Chicoine, David (May 25, 2005). Guns of the New West: A Close Up Look at Modern Replica Firearms. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 155–159". ISBN 1-4402-2446-3.
7. Taffin, John (2012). "Cimarron Model 1886 .45-70 Gov't". Guns.
8. Spangenberger, Phil (2013). "Timeworn Beauties". True West Magazine: 72.

EIG and Firearms Import & Export Corp (FIE)

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:09:58 GMT

The EIG and FIE Connection

Many of the percussion revolver reproduction manufacturers and importers/distributors have such a wide range of relationships with other companies, it is sometimes hard to track down who imported what and who made what and when. EIG and Firearms Import & Export Corp., better known as FIE are two such interconnected companies and have quite a storied history.

The name EIG comes from Saul Eig, whose business was known as EIG Cutlery, for he originally imported and sold knives in Miami, FL. Eig expanded into firearms in the 1950s, specializing in cheap guns—often derringers, revolvers or pocket semi-autos from Italy and Japan. When the replica revolver demand escalated in the late 1950's EIG was already in place to capitalize on the demand.

When the Gun Control Act of 1968 banned the import of many cheap, foreign handguns, Eig converted a church complex next to his Miami warehouse into a gun factory. He shipped in the parts of the semi-automatic guns he formerly imported and then assembled them in the U.S. Eig’s guns were among the infamous “Saturday Night Specials” you used to hear so much about.

The importation of percussion black powder guns were not as effected by the 1968 Act, and EIG continued to import them into the early 1970's. EIG went through several changes in the operation of their company and eventually became known as F.I.E, standing for Firearms Import and Export Corporation around 1971, when EIG was sold to FIE.

In 1971 EIG Cutlery transferred the firearms business location to a new company called Firearms Import and Export Corp., commonly called FIE. During that transition period, some of the guns were still marked with the EIG logo. After the transition was complete the FIE logo appeared on most revolvers. The maker of the revolvers imported by EIG and FIE were typically GLG and then PR.

Luciano Giacosa, GLB, founded EUROMANUARMS in the early 1960's and made revolvers imported by EUROMANUARMS and EIG. Euromanuarms was created by Giacosa Luciano in Brescia, and distributed antique weapon reproductions he made and eventually distributed them into in the USA under the brand name, Euromanuarms. The marking on his manufactured weapons was the same stylized GLB punch as on the EIG imports. Euromanuarms eventually shut down and no longer exists.

Most EIG imported revolvers were made by Giacosa Luciano, the GLB mark, and Luciano continued to supply EIG's successor, FIE (Firearms Import & Export), until 1971, then gave way to Esterina Riva, the PR log used by Fabbrica d'Armi Esterina Riva . So, as the GLB maker mark began to disappear, the PR mark became the mark seen on FIE imported black powder replicas.

Certain revolvers marked F.I.E. may be mistaken for Rohm- or RG-pattern guns, as they are overtly very similar in appearance. Some Hermann Weihrauch (Germany)- sourced revolvers were imported by F.I.E., as well as black powder single-action revolvers from Tangfolio, Riva Esterina, and Luciano Giacosa of Italy, and shotguns by Maroccini. Other shotguns have been sourced from Brazilian makers Companhia Brasileira Cartuchos (CBC) and ER Amantino & Cia. Spanish sources included shotguns from Aguirre y Aranzabal (AYA) and Unceta y Cia, which was formerly known as Esperanza y Unceta but is perhaps better known as Astra, located in Eibar, Spain.

FIE was more well known for it's Titan .25 caliber semi-automatic. Although not a percussion revolver, it is still an important link int the history of FIE. Eventually, by 1990, FIE was forced into bankruptcy by lawsuits. When FIE closed finally down in 1991, another entity, Excam, Inc., in Hialeah, FL picked up the Titan line and sold the Titan parts assembled onto US made ZAMAK frames, under the model name GT27. Later still QFI, Quality Firearms, Inc. emerged and sold the Titan as the model SA25. QFI later went out of business and emerged as none other than Heritage Manufacturing Inc. Heritage sold the Titan as the model H25S. Heritage is still in business today and is known for their "Rough Rider" revolver in .22 caliber, a Colt clone many of us are very familiar with, but has since dropped the Titan model.

However, after FIE stopped operations and the importation of black powder replica revolvers, another entity, EMF (Early And Modern Firearms Co.), founded in 1956 to distribute and later manufacture Great Western revolvers, picked up the import lines of the FIE black powder replica revolvers. As of this date, EMF continues to import and distribute firearms made by Fabrica Armi Fratelli Pietta, better known as F.LLI Pietta, or just plain Pietta. Pietta is now the majority stockholder of EMF.

Replica Arms, Navy Arms and Cimarron Firearms Connection

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:54:13 GMT

The Replica Arms, Navy Arms and Cimarron Firearms Connection

Leonard Frank Allen had started Replica Arms, in El Paso, Texas, in 1962, with the first Colt 1847 Walker replica, made by Armi San Marco. In 1965 the company was sold and moved to Marietta, Ohio, with Ken Phelps as President. In circa 1971, Replica Arms was bought out by Val Forgett and Navy Arms. Meanwhile, in Santa Fe, Allen started Western Arms Corp. [1] in the early 70's. In 1980 he found himself the subject of a lawsuit brought on by the Olin Corporation (Winchester) for trade name infringement with the company name, Western Arms Corp.. Olin Corporation owned Winchester Western ammunition, so Leonard Allen was forced to dissolve Western Arms Corp and two separate companies were then formed, Allen Firearms Company and Western Gun Stores, Inc.

Meanwhile, Cimarron Firearms had formed in 1977 as a muzzle loading shop and sporting goods store in Houston, Texas, known as "Bigfoot". Mike Harvey, who owned the shop, ordered plans for a Hawken rifle from a museum and built his first replica from scratch. As the economy worsened due to the early 1980s oil depression in Texas, Harvey sought to diversify his stock by selling replica old-west firearms. He then entered into a joint venture with Allen Fire Arms importing Uberti revolvers from Italy. Allen Firearms Company eventually went out of business in 1987, and Old-West Gun Co., now Cimarron F.A. in Fredericksburg, TX, bought the remaining inventory of Allen Firearms. Cimarron F.A. maintains a retail shop that specializes in period clothing, accessories and Cimarron firearms known as Texas Jack's Wild West Outfitters, named for Texas Jack Omohundro, as Harvey owns several of his firearms. The shop caters primarily to the film industry and Old West reenactors.

Now, back to Replica Arms. Replica Arms, Marietta, OH, used the logo, RA in circle over a gun sight. When Navy Arms bought out Replica Arms in circa 1971, they did not simply eliminate Replica Arms from existence, but changed it to Navy Arms over a period of time. This was to establish Replica Arms and Navy Arms as one and the same. Replica Arms had been the chief competitor of Navy Arms before the buyout. According to Val Forgett, III "his dad didn't buy Replica Arms until the early 1970's (1971) and he purchased it from bankruptcy. He used Replica Arms as his sub-brand to keep Aldo Uberti in line. He would buy cheaper guns from other makers when Uberti would try and take advantage of his dad, then his dad would sell them at low prices under Replica Arms."

Original Replica Arms imported revolvers will be marked REPLICA ARMS CO., EL PASO, TEXAS. When Replica Arms was sold the first time and moved to Ohio, the revolvers were marked REPLICA ARMS, MARIETTA, OHIO. The next marking change was after the sale to Navy Arms with “REPLICA ARMS RIDGEFIELD NJ” on the barrel, Ridgefield being the home of Navy Arms. After a short period of time, this was changed to “NAVY ARMS RIDGEFIELD NJ” on the barrel, but retaining the Replica Arms Logo somewhere on the gun, the frame, under the loading lever, etc. Replica Arms first used Armi San Marco as its manufacturer, and new info also indicates that Palmetto was also a supplier, being very active in the early 1960’s as well. Navy Arms used Uberti in the beginning for the 1851 Navy, Leech & Rigdon, Remington New Model Army, and the Griswold & Gunnison. Replica Arms was the first company to sell the 1847 Walker, the Dragoons, the Baby Dragoons, and the Pocket Models. These were made by Armi San Marco and possibly by Palmetto.

As a side note, during this time, the 1860 Army revolvers were being produced and manufactured by Centaure of Belgium, and imported by Mars Equipment Co. and distributed by Centennial. (visit http://www.1960nma.org ). It was not until the later part of the 1960’s that Navy Arms added the 1860 Army made by Pietta to their offerings. And it was not until the early 1970’s that Navy Arms offered the larger frame revolvers after Uberti started producing the frame parts for these revolvers to Colt. It was as this time that Uberti decided to enter the market with a complete catalog of replica percussion revolvers. Exact time that each of these events took place is fairly impossible to know because there are no surviving records found at this time.

American Manufacturers of Replica Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:34:50 GMT

American Manufacturers of Replica Revolvers

Thanks to the research of Dr. Jim Davis and his extensive notes he put together on the history of reproduction revolvers, we know of several American manufacturers of reproduction revolvers that came before the Italian manufacturers. There were several American manufacturers of replica revolvers that did not use any Italian parts.

The first was L.A. Jensen in Lake City, FL. , who produced a replica Spiller & Burr (above) in the early 1950's. He produced it in .44 cal. in order to not be confused with the original. These were of excellent quality. Many were sold as cased sets. Only five of these revolvers have surfaced as of 2010. L. A. Jensen made the very first production replica in 1952. There were fewer than 100 produced and were the very first replica revolvers produced. They were produced from 1952-1960, predating Navy Arms by some 8 years As previously stated, they were in .44 cal rather than the .36 cal as the original Spiller & Burr. From postings on various black powder forums Dr. Davis had located serial numbers #0049 and #0029. He bought #0026 & #0027 in a cased set on Gun Broker in October, 2002 for $300.

The second manufacturer was Witloe Precision Inc. in Collingdale, PA, who produced the Remington New Model Army as the “Grant Model” and the “Lee Model”. The Grant Model had a steel frame and the Lee Model had a silicone bronze frame. These were the very first Remington New Model Army replicas manufactured by anyone. To differentiate between the 1st Generation and 2nd Generation “Witloes”, the 1st Generation were marked WITLOE PRECISION INC/COLLINGDALE. PENNA. USA. in two lines and 2nd Generation were marked WITLOE COLLINGDALE PENNA USA. Witloe Precision Inc. discontinued making these revolvers after only two years because of the cheaper cost of the Italian revolvers. R. T. Lane of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. purchased the remaining inventory of partially assembled revolvers and parts. These revolvers are marked those marked WITLOE COLLINGDALE, PENNA. in two lines on top of the barrel. Lane was given the right to only use the WITLOE name since Witloe Precision Inc. was still in business with government contracts. Because of the exceptional quality of the revolvers, R. T. Lane targeted the competitive shooter as his market, so most "2nd Generation" Witloes have target sights. So far only twenty 1st & 2nd Generation Witloes have surfaced.

The third manufacturer was R. G. Wilson, of Firearms Specialties in Michigan that produced an 1860 Army. This was around 1959, just when William B. Edwards was setting the ground work for the Centennial 1860 Army to be manufactured in Belgium as the 1960 New Army. Only one of these revolvers has surfaced that we are aware of. It bears the serial number 7. All three of these pioneer American Companies met their demise because they could not compete with the prices of the Italian manufactured revolvers.

There were also a couple of manufacturers back in the 1940’s and 1950’s and possibly later who produced revolvers on special order or in very limited numbers. Here is a revised outline of these American manufacturers.

A. American Manufacturers

a. All American Made Special Order or Limited Production
1. Penrod Otis Musser - Paterson Revolvers
2. Thomas Haas Sr./Horacio Acevedo - 1847 Walker, Etc.

b. All American Made
1. Firearm Specialties
2. L. A. Jensen
3. Witloe Precision Inc.
4. Witloe/Lane - Second Generation

c. American Assembled and Finished
1. Colt 2nd Generation
2. Colt Black Powder
3. High Standard
4. U. S. Firearms Manufacturing Co. (USFA)
5. U. S. Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Co.

d. American Made Modern Design (Not Replicas)
1. Great Western
2. Strum, Ruger & Co. (Ruger Old Army)

Other companies produced replicas using parts made by Uberti, Armi San Marco, and Palmetto. They were:

High Standard who produced a series of Confederate Models. These were made from parts obtained from various Italian manufacturers and finished in house.

Colt 2nd Generation revolvers had the barrels, cylinders and backstraps cast from rough forged parts obtained from Italian manufacturers in the “C” Series, then finished and assembled at the Colt factory and the “F” Series assembled at the Iver Johnson factory.
Colt 3rd Generation revolvers were produced by Colt Blackpowder Arms under license from Colt. All were assembled from parts obtained from Italian manufacturers, very much like the High Standard revolvers..

U. S. Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Co. and U. S. Firearms Manufacturing Co. (USFA) produced a limited replicas in 1851 Navy, 1860 Army, and the 3rd Model Dragoon. These were made from both complete guns and parts obtained from Uberti. These are very rare.

Last but not least was the Ruger Old Army produced by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc ., which is not a replica of any historic percussion revolver, but a modern percussion revolver. The Ruger Old Army was introduced in 1972 by the Strum, Ruger company and manufactured through 2008 with an MSRP of arounf $560. It is no longer available from Ruger, but they do appear on the secondary market from time to time at hefty price tags. The ROA (Ruger Old Army) was based off the frame of the Ruger Blackhawk, which was based off the Colt SAA. The ROA looks a little like the Remignton New Army and is generally compared to it. But, the ROA is a modern percussion revolver and is not a replica of anything. It was built to SAAMI specs, meaning the revolver was tested by loading each chamber to capacity with Bullseye smokeless powder and a lead ball. While this would result in catastrophic failure in black powder replicas, the Old Army was designed to be strong enough to handle the pressure of smokeless loads. So there is no comparison between the ROA and a percussion replica. These were shooters only as they did not qualify for use in reenactment, etc.

Great Western attempted to enter the replica market with a hybrid revolver based on the Remington New Model Army but it never got produced.

At present there are no replica percussion revolvers being made or assembled in the U.S. There were several custom gunsmiths that made replicas on special order but these are not included as production replicas.

Collecting the 1960 (1860) New Model Army Centaure

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:56:24 GMT

Collecting the 1960 (1860) Centennial Arms New Model Army Centaure

excerpt from “The Rage Over Replicas” by William Edward s

"I was called in as a consultant to Shore Galleries, an auction firm specializing in fire-arms sales, and remained with this activity when the auctioneer, Sig Shore, formed a company to deal in surplus military rifles and ammunition, and second-hand guns generally. While the original concept of MARS Equipment Corporation was to engage in buying from primary importers and resell as jobbers and dealers in the United States, the market conditions dictated an expansion of the company funds into other channels. The course of manufacturing presented itself and a series of coincidences launched the now-popular Centennial Arms Corporation line of percussion shooting replica revolvers, pistols, and pistol-carbines. The success of Val Forgett in Navy Arms, with which Shore had dealt in the auction business, led him to decide to manufacture the Model 1860 or Colt's New Model Revolving Holster Pistol-the Colt New Model Army.44.

My work on this was at first less, ultimately considerably more effort than with launching the Navy Arms project. Shore and myself on a trip to Germany passed through Liege, Belgium. There we made the acquaintance of Mr. Paul Hanquet, great grandson of one J. Hanquet who in 1852 had signed an agreement with Sam Colt authorizing him to manufacture Colt's Patent (Colt Brevete) revolvers in Liege. Associated with Mr. Paul was his cousin. Mr. Albert Hanquet, in a company the trade mark of which is "Centaure." The rampant centaur is quite clearly lifted from the cylinder engraving of one of Colt's Paterson pistols, and "Centaure" had been handgun and musket makers in Liege for generations. Shore bought a number of muskets from these people and later, upon re-turning to the United States and casting about for additional work for MARS money, hit upon the idea of having them make the copy of the Colt 1860. Other people were interested in this venture and to distinguish the military and modern firearms sales business of MARS from the new venture, a new firm was organized, appropriately titled by me, Centennial Arms Corporation."

The evolution of Centennial Arms Corporation to its present position of volume producer of quality hardware was not without its "moments." The models supplied to Centaure were two: a mint parts-assembled Army 1860 that had a slightly bent trigger guard but was otherwise perfect, and a rusty but not much worn, "crisp" Army with a perfect trigger guard. The parts Army gave details for finishing, type of polishing, color of blue and such. I mistakenly assumed the contractor would recognize the scars on the guard, as if the pistol had been dropped on concrete, and take the perfect but rusty specimen as the model. Instead, as an ex-pression of the faithfulness with which he desired to execute our wishes, the guard was copied including the dent. Thousands of guards were cast up with egg-shaped bows! Fortunately, I was in Liege to inspect the first pistol made, and caused two corrections to be introduced. The guards were all swedged to the correct shape by a steel plug and secondly, the curved line on the side of the barrel was preserved, the first pistol having been polished a little "soft" along his contour. Guns were numbered from "1" up in the series which began to duplicate the regular NMA. This was the three screw frame, cut for stock and with the toe of the butt notched for stock. Cylinder belts were plain up to about `1,400; thereafter the Navy scene was regularly furnished on regular cylinders. The first gun, unnumbered, was kept by Hanquet. The second gun stamped MODEL was given to the present president of Colt’s. It was engraved by me on the barrel, ADDRESS FRED ROFF, HARTFORD, CT.

As a variation, after about 500 of the regular NMA had been received by Centennial Arms, the so-called "'Civilian Model" was made available. This has a round frame not cut for stock, no notch in toe of butt, and the straps are silver plated. Serial numbers in this series, unlike the Colts in which they are concurrent with all other variations, run also from "1" up but pre-fixed by a letter to indicate the series; thus: "C1, C2, C3 ." Both these pistols have 8-inch barrels, rather shallow regular rifling constant twist and slow, and bear the barrel stamping 1960 NEW MODEL ARMY. The civilian cylinder bears a Navy scene engraving like the Colt but with less background detail. About 500 of these guns were made with the legend ENGAGED 16TH MAY 1843 as a part of the engraving but this was re-moved at the suggestion of the Ohio Gun Collectors Association board of directors to inhibit possible use of these cylinders in fakery. Actually, there are so many detail differences in the fabrication of these guns that only the most unsophisticated collector with larceny in his heart need fear getting taken by one of the Centennial pistols as an original. The boring and rifling, for example, are adapted to the .451 round ball using the Lyman mould. For the regular Colts, Lyman offers the .457 round ball, a considerable difference in bore size.

In the spring of 1961 the first Fluted Stocked Army was turned out. As a pattern, Centaure was furnished with a rough-condition genuine 1st Model 1860 Army, 7 1/2-inch barrel, full-fluted cylinder, four screw frame cut for stock. The first pistol completed was F9 (a prefix and numbering from 1 up being the rule also,)and it was delivered to me at a dead run by Roger Vryens of the Centaure firm as I waited for the train up to the airport to return to the United States in June, 1961. The backstrap had been polished and not yet blued after final fitting; I subsequently blued it in my gas stove and sold the pistol and stock at an Ohio show.

Among efforts to improve the basic form of the pistol, Centaure electro-brazed the loading lever lug to the barrel. This produced a problem which was not solved for some time. It was noticed that slight spotty rust would form about 2 inches from the muzzle, marring the otherwise brilliantly burnished swedged rifling. Repeated attempts were made to solve the cause of this, including instructions to the proof house about oiling after cleaning. Still, light rust persisted. Then I noticed in a rack of barrels not yet sent to the proof house, the same kind of rust! When this was called to the attention of the works manager he explained that to keep the heat from spoiling the bore, the workman sticks a piece of raw potato in the muzzle while brazing the lug. My only instructions were "No more raw potatoes!"

As usual with the Liege fabricants, even the larger ones, work is done here and there and then put together. Consequently the barrels are forged and drilled, rifled and turned outside, and supplied to the machine shop for further finishing. Frames are machined from a solid forging; cylinders lathed from stock. The back-strap, one piece in the Colt, is constructed in three pieces, at lower cost by avoiding use of special machinery. The top is one part, welded to the back strap, and the butt strap is then jig-welded in turn. In the event of a rare presentation engraving from Colonel Colt to General Smorgasbord appearing on a suspect back-strap, X-Ray will easily reveal the two welds and the fraud. If, in order to successfully fake up one of the Centennial arms it is necessary to attach genuine Colt parts, it is easy to see that the advent of the Centennial reproductions has added nothing to the faker's basket of tricks that wasn't in the junk pile already.

Parts Availability

When it comes time to find replacement parts for your Belgian made 1860 NMA Cenature, original Colt 1860 Army parts are often reported to be largely interchangeable with the Belgian Centaure 1860 NMA (New Model Army), though some hand fitting is usually required for parts such as the bolt, hand, or cylinder stop. Small parts like screws are often compatible or can be replaced with counterparts from modern reproduction Colt parts made by Lodgewood Mfg. in Janesville WI, but critical action components frequently require careful fitting due to minor dimensional differences. The Centaure revolver was manufactured to be a faithful copy of the original 1860 Colt design, but differences in production methods and tolerances lead to less than perfect drop-in compatibility with all parts.

Key Points

Many original Colt 1860 Army parts will fit the Centaure 1860 NMA, especially screws and some exterior hardware.
Major internal parts (bolt, hand, trigger) may work but usually need to be hand-fitted to ensure proper function.
Some owners report good luck swapping certain original parts with little modification, while others report significant fitting work is occasionally required.
Barrels, cylinders, and other major components are broadly similar, but minor variations may prevent perfect drop-in interchange without adjustment.

Below is a summary table of original Colt 1860 Army revolver parts with the compatibility to the Belgian 1860 NMA Centaure revolver:

Reference:

Civil War Guns by William B. Edwards, Chapter 35

The Firing Line Forum

The Colt Forum

Collecting Replica Confederate Percussion Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:39:37 GMT

Collecting Replica Confederate Percussion Revolvers

For many years, Dr. James H Davis had been working on a reference book for the replica collecting revolver world. Due to his death in the fall of 2019, he was unable to bring it to completion. Since all of his notes for that text have been destroyed, I have tried to put together as many blog posts from the notes I had received from Doc Davis before his passing. The text that has been completed thus far and the remaining notes that he had collected over some 20 years of research are contained in these blog posts. What follows is a section we had almost completed on “Collecting Replica Confederate Percussion Revolvers.”

There have been a number of replica “Confederate” percussion revolvers manufactured that these alone can make a very nice collection. Following is a list of these revolvers that Dr. James H Davis found in his research.

Brass Frame - (Original Brass Frame Revolvers were all .36cal.)

1. Griswold & Gunnison Prototype - Navy Arms - There were only 6 of these made by Gregorelli & Uberti. Very, very rare.

2. Griswold & Gunnison Plain Cylinder

3. Griswold & Gunnison Plain Cylinder Sheriff

4. Schneider & Glassick Octagon Barrel - Plain Cylinder

5. Schneider & Glassick Octagon Barrel - Plain Cylinder Sheriff

6. Spiller & Burr - These were produced by Pietta, Palmetto, and MOFRA di Mainardi A. for Euromanufacture (using the double diamond logo of the di Mardini brothers). Distributor markings known at this time are Cabela’s, Navy Arms, Dixie Gun Works, and Armsport. Pietta discontinued marking any revolvers for distributors around 1990 - (with a few exceptions) so those revolvers are also marked Pietta.

7. Spiller & Burr .44cal. - L. A. Jensen, Lake City, FL - This was one of the first replica percussion revolver ever produced. Very, very rare. (The .44cal. was purposely done by Mr. Jensen in order to readily identify it from the original Spiller & Burr).

Steel Frame

1. Leech & Rigdon – These were produced by Uberti, Pietta and High Standard (using Uberti parts assembled at High Standard in the United States). Distributed by Navy Arms and Cimarron. There are a few Leech & Rigdon revolvers marked “Navy Arms” with the “GU” initials on the right side of the barrel flat. These are quite rare.

2. Leech & Rigdon Sheriff - Distributed by Navy Arms. There are a few Leech & Rigdon revolvers marked “Navy Arms” with the “GU” initials on the right side of the barrel flat. Extremely Rare.

3. Leech & Rigdon - Currently made by Uberti with engraved cylinders (Historically incorrect).

4. Leech & Rigdon Prototype by Centaure - Only one known to exist. This prototype was discovered by Wolf Niederastroth in interview with Mitchell Shore and Leslie Field. Part of Sig Shore’s estate.

5. Tucker & Sherrard Co. Texas Dragoon - Offered as a cased set with “T” prefix on Serial #, only 400 made. All cased sets bear the “Western Arms” markings. A few single revolvers were also marked “Allen Arms”, “Western Arms, “A. Uberti & C. Gardone V.T. Italy”, and “Cimarron Arms”. These are very rare.

Dance Revolvers
1. Dance .44cal. - Commemorative Dragoon Prototype - Uberti - Only one in existence. Owned by Tony Gajewsky.

2. Dance .36cal. - Commemorative - Uberti - Only 44 complete sets produced

3. Dance .36cal. - Commemorative - Uberti - Frame only - Six of these

4. Dance .36cal. - Uberti - Only 50 produced. All marked “SMLS Co.” on barrel.

5. Dance .36cal. - “Dance Firearms Co., Angleton, TX” - Pietta - Only 35 produced

6. Dance .44cal. Rebated Cylinder Prototype - “Dance Firearms Co., Angleton, TX” Pietta - Only 4 in existence. RPRCA Ltd. collection.

7. Dance .36cal. - Pietta - Only 75 produced

8. Dance .44cal. Rebated Cylinder - Pietta - 105 produced

9. Dance .44cal. Straight Cylinder - 8” Barrel - Pietta - Current production

Foreign Manufacture for CSA

1. LeMat Army Model - Plain Cylinder

2. LeMat Army Model - Engraved Cylinder

3. LeMat Navy Model - Plain Cylinder

4. LeMat Navy Model - Engraved Cylinder

5. LeMat Cavalry Model - Plain Cylinder

6. LeMat Cavalry Model - Engraved Cylinder

7. LeMat Army Model Case Hardened Frame - Plain Cylinder - Very Rare

Augusta Confederate
Replica Revolvers marketed as Augusta Confederate, mainly by Uberti in around 1982, were more accurately Colt Model 1851 Navy with brass frame and engraved cylinders. These Replicas made by Uberti are rare. Uberti produced mainly the Griswold & Gunnison with a brass frame. The Augusta Armory originally did not produce brass frame revolvers. They only produced a copy of the steel frame 1851 Navy, octagon barrel browned finish, with both 6 and 12 cylinder stops. Another revolver produced in Augusta, Georgia was the Rigdon-Ansley. This revolver, similar to the Leech & Rigdon, had steel frame, six or twelve cylinder stops, and a Dragoon style barrel.

Commentary:

The High Standard black powder revolvers were a tribute to the Confederate States firearms. The frames were made by High Standard and the balance of the parts by Uberti. The revolvers were fitted, assembled and finished at High Standard. They are of exceptional quality. The Leech & Rigdon can be found with both a brushed silver finish and polished in white on the frame.

The above information under the Leech & Rigdon reflects the fact that a Leech & Rigdon Sheriff model was acquired for the RPRCA collection. As a bonus it is a very early production with the "GU" initials. This is the first and only one of these that Dr, Davis had seen or heard of in the last 28 years. The Leech & Rigdon Sheriff Model is no longer a myth.

The only Leech & Rigdon manufacturers that he had observed are Uberti, Pietta, and High Standard. Other markings that he had seen are Navy Arms (by Uberti and Pietta) and Cimarron (by Uberti). He had never heard of a Leech & Rigdon by ASP (Armi San Paolo or ASM (Armi San Marco). However, this does not mean that they may have also manufactured the Leech & Rigdon, just that he had never run across these. Who knows what may pop up tomorrow. Also, if it is a kit it would be very rare, something to hold on to. Kits, however, usually do not have proof marks.

Regarding the list of Leech & Rigdon replicas and to add to Dr. Davis's list: our Belgian friends of Fabriques d'Armes Unies de Liège made at least one L&R prototype. The only mark is MADE IN BELGIUM stamped on the butt. There are no proof marks present nor a serial number visible. That pistol got its cylinder engraved with the Ormsby naval scene (not period correct) and 2 grip panels kept together by a screw (not period correct either). This prototype is part of the Collection of early Centaures at Shore Galleries, Lincolnwood, IL. For pics see www.1960nma.org. This information was relayed on by Long Johns Wolf at FROCS.

Also, another marking has surfaced on a Tucker & Sherrard Texas Dragoon that is reflected in the list above. Uberti produced all the Tucker & Sherrard Texas Dragoons which were sold exclusively by Western Arms. However, one "scrap" Dragoon has surfaced. It is a Armi San Marco 2nd Model Dragoon with a "scrap" Tucker & Sherrard marked cylinder.

In his research Dr. Davis had continually come across strong evidence that there was a close working relationship between several of the major manufacturers of replica revolvers. Parts were purchased from each other as well as completed revolvers. There is very strong evidence that Armi San Marco may have actually been the sole supplier of revolver parts for the big frame and small frame revolvers which ASM had the sole market on until into the 1970's when Uberti then started selling these revolvers. In actuality, ASM ended up with some left over parts from the 2nd Generation Colts that Lou Imperato sold to them and they tried to use but were thwarted by Colts Industries. Yet some of these revolvers did end up on the market with and are somewhat rare.

In reference to a set of Griswold & Gunnison revolvers listed by Joe Salter, Dr. Davis was tempted to purchase for the RPRCA collection, but he already had several of the GU marked Griswold & Gunnisons. This particular set was from a collection that was assigned to Joe Salter. The Augusta Armory designation in the listing was a mistake by Joe Salter in his listing.

On the Griswold & Gunnison and Leech & Rigdon the “GU” appears on the right side of the barrel flat the same as on the 1851 Navy. NAVY ARMS is on top of the barrel and on left side of frame. Our Leech & Rigdon #6546 does not have the NAVY ARMS on the left side of the frame but only on the top of the barrel.

In reference to the 6 Griswold & Gunnison Prototypes, those 6 revolvers have several issues relating to design. Bill Edwards had received No.1 of the Colt “Yank” and No. 13 of the “Reb” revolvers. The incorrect details on these revolvers is what makes them so rare. There were some dozen changes between the prototypes and what should be produced by machine. Two obvious changes were a blade dovetailed in from the front of the flat muzzle on the Navies and the screw heads of the guard screws were too large. Secondly, on the Griswold & Gunnisons, the brass of the guard plate had been left wide at the rear screws to surround the bigger heads. The brass projected out slightly and was not flush with the thickness of the frame due to this. Less subtle was the end of the guard plate was chopped just beyond the front guard screw and the grips of both the “Yank” and “Reb” were like the Colt but slightly off. Bill Edwards had deliberately not had them copy the inner curve and the beveled angle on the back of the guard plate to make a quick distinction between the reproduction and the original.

The incorrect front sight on the Navies was altered to a bead screwed into the barrel top like the original Colt when the revolvers went into production. But the remaining distinguishing factor between the 6 Griswold & Gunnison prototypes and the Navy No 1 were the markings. The barrel tops from the No. 1 of the production series were marked NAVY ARMS CO. on the barrel lug. THE PROTOTYPES ARE UNMARKED! The prototypes also had 7 grooves with right hand twist and the production revolvers have 6 grooves.

Dr. Davis was able to purchase another set from Joe Salter from the same collection that contained an 1851 Navy and a Leech & Rigdon, both with GU initials. The set also contained an extra octagon barrel that was marked “Gregorelli & Uberti” on the bottom. Dennis Russell obtained first hand information when he was able to go through some of Navy Arms original records that Navy Arms had available extra barrels in the early 1960's. Actually, Gregorelli & Uberti was a separate company in the beginning because Gregorelli had the manufacturer's license and Uberti did not. They split in about 1962-63 and Uberti formed his own company when he received a manufacturer’s license. The Leech & Rigdon in the set he got from Joe Salter has a date code for 1965 and a 6000 range serial number, way past the split up of Gregorelli & Uberti. According to records whatever parts that were left over were used on Uberti’s guns. From all the revolvers he had seen, only one continuous string of serial numbers was used for all their model guns rather than a separate serial number range for each model. This can also be observed in the sixteen prototypes 1851 Navy and Griswold & Gunnison that were produced.

Dr. Davis had posted an article by Dennis Russell on the RPRCA web site that might be of interest. It is entitled, “The Gun That Started It All”. It relates the history of Colt 1851 Navy Serial #82, from William Edwards assembling the gun at the Colt factory to it being smuggled into Italy for Gregorelli & Uberti to make the prototypes. Dennis now owns this #82 revolver and Chad Fisher now owns the Prototype number 1. It sure would be nice to discover Navy Arms 1851 Navy production serial number 1, but it has not surfaced to date.

In his research, Dr. Davis added Gregorelli & Uberti as a separate company that evolved into Uberti. This means the “GU” initialed and “Gregorelli & Uberti” marked revolvers are truly the first mass produced replica revolvers with Centennial Arms made in Belgium coming in a very close second (matter of months), both of these being the results of William B. Edwards efforts. Leonard Allen with the Replica Arms Co. El Paso, TX being the third out of the gate in 1962-63 with the 1847 Walker and other big frame revolvers as well as the Baby Dragoons and Pocket Model .31cal. revolvers. Interestingly, EIG impoerted the first accurate replica of a Schneider & Glassick brass frame 1851 Navy type. This appeared in 1963-64. These had the GLB logo on the butt which is Luciano Giacosa. He also made revolvers imported by EUROMANUARMS . Euromanuarms was created in the 60s by Giacosa Luciano in Brescia who distributed antique weapon reproductions he made and then distributed in the USA under the brand name Euromanuarms. The marking on weapons was the same stylized GLB punch. This firm no longer exists today.

Most of the current 1851 Navy brass frame type revolvers have engraving on the cylinder which is a little inappropriate for a Confederate revolver. In the Blue Book under Uberti there was an Augusta Armory revolver listed. To the best of Dr. Davis’ knowledge there has never been a replica of an Augusta Armory replica with 12 cylinder stops and a steel frame. In 2010, he purchased a “Fake” Augusta Armory revolver with the 12 cylinder stops on a Kull House Auction along with a “Fake” Schneider & Glassick. Both of these guns sold as originals back in the early 2000’s and were not discovered as being “Fakes” until around 2009 and were re-auctioned as Fakes on the Kull House Auction. There was a Fake .44cal. Dance revolver also in the same lot and it brought $1000 as a Fake. Sorry guys, but there is no way to Fake a .44cal. Dance from a replica because no such size replica exists. Dr. Davis had the good fortune to hold and examine three different original .44 Dance revolvers. The Dragoon is larger than the original Dance and the 1851 Navy is smaller than the Dance .44. Tony Gawjewsky had a complete set of blueprints made up from an original .44cal Dance with the anticipation on manufacturing this revolver totally in the U.S. under the Dance Brothers Arms trademark which he gained title to from the Dance Brothers estate. They were to also be made in Angleton, Texas, the site of the original Dance Brothers factory on the Brazos River.

An interesting side note to the Fake Schneider & Glassick he acquired had the serial #2. Only two weeks before this Fake turned up on auction, Jason Schubert, Curator for the J. M. Davis Gun Museum here in Claremore, OK, called Dr. Davis to help him verify a Schneider & Glassick that someone had brought into the museum to display. Of course Jason was very concerned about the Museum’s liability if anything happened to the gun while in the Museum’s custody, that is, if the gun was truly an original. The owner didn’t declare the gun to be original and was also interested in verifying its authenticity. After very close examination it was verily easy to see that it was a Fake. It had the original Schneider & Glassick Memphis, Tenn markings on the barrel which was the biggest connection to being an original. Dr. Davis dug through his many notes and some of William B. Edwards notes that Virginia Edwards had left in his care. He found that William had seen these identical markings on other Fakes. A die is floating around out there with these markings. Now for the interesting part of this tale is that two weeks after my examination of the Museum Fake another comes up for auction on Kull House. Dr. Davis got this revolver and was able then to compare it to the one at the Museum. Almost identical with a serial number only two numbers different. Obviously made by the same person using the same dies.

Dr. Davis spent a great deal of time trying to pin down who produced those Italian made 1860 Army revolvers that Replica Arms sold. Wolf Niederastroth (Long Johns Wolf) obtained information from the Uberti people in Italy that Uberti starting making the 1860 Army in around 1963-64 and the used an “A” prefix on the serial numbers. What is strange is that no one seems to have ever seen any Uberti logos or markings on these revolvers. It possibly could be that Uberti and Navy Arms had some kind of “exclusive agreement” in the early 60’s that prevented Uberti from openly entering the 1860 Army into production. It would really be nice to know about any Uberti 1860 Army revolvers made in the early through middle 1960’s. I have not seen any to date. But to coin a phrase from Dr. Davis, all I can say at this point is, “The more I learn the less I know”.

~ from the notes of Dr. Jim Davis

“1 of 100 Test Guns”

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:17:51 GMT

“Stokes Kirk” parts and the percussion reproduction revolver industry!

The theory goes something like this:

When Colt was attempting to sell his Late Third Model '51 Navy to the U. S. Army, he tried to convince the powers that be of one most important feature that his gun possessed - interchangeability of parts. We must admit that during that era this particular point was very important. Although Colt was a top salesman of his day, he apparently ran into considerable difficulty in proving - by words alone - this point that, to him, was so important. He finally decided that he would substitute deeds for words in one final effort to get his point across. The proposition that he made to the Ordnance Department of the U. S. Army went something like this:

"To prove my point of interchangeability of parts on my Navy Model, I shall be glad to furnish the Ordnance Department with 100 of my Navies, if you will submit them to two tests. Just so there will be no mistakes - or shenanigans - in identifying these guns and their original parts during the tests, I shall take the 100 Navy Models and number them consecutively 1 through 100. These 100 Navies will be delivered to you with all serial numbers matching on each gun.

After you have inspected them and marked them in the usual manner, I request that you test fire these 100 Na vies in any manner that you wish, and this will constitute the first test. When this first test has been made, I request that each gun then be completely disassembled and all parts be thrown into a barrel - so to speak- where they will then be thoroughly mixed. The 100 Navies are then to be reassembled, with no attention being paid to the serial number on each part, or any attempt made to reassemble the guns to their original state, that is, with all serial numbers matching. The second test that I request is that the reassembled guns then be test fired just as when they were in their original state. You will find in this second test that these 100 guns will perform just as perfectly as they did in the original state. This, gentlemen, will prove to you my interchangeability of parts theory, which will certainly save you money on repairs, for when a gun is damaged in some way, those parts that were not damaged can be salvaged for replacement parts for guns that are damaged in the future."

The story goes on further that the two tests were performed, the tests were successful as Colt had said they would be, and the U. S. Army began purchasing Colt's Late Third Model '51 Navies. Because of this theory, these '51 Navies are sometime referred to as "1 of 100 Test Guns". The fact that this story is so typical of a sales stunt that Colt would pull to prove his point, plus the fact that the martial markings, the low-numbered mismatched serial numbers, and the excellent condition of the guns (supposedly, they were used only in the two tests) tends to lend credence to this theory. Believing this theory, the Author (Nathan Swayze) purchased his gun and was happy in the thought that while some Winchester collectors owned a "l of 1000" in their field of collecting, he now owned a "1 of 100" in the '51 Navy field.

Here are the physical characteristics and the martial markings of the "low number mismatch" (which the Author now prefers as a designation of this gun in lieu of the title "1 of 100".

Physical Characteristics: (Late Third Model)

1. Brass back strap.
2. Small rounded brass trigger guard.
3. Beveled loading slot in barrel lug.
4. Loading lever rammer screw enters from
left (same) side.
5. Late New York barrel address (Address Col SamL Colt New-York U.S. America).

Serial Numbers :

Barrel - Serial number 45 (see Plate 54)
Frame - serial number 52 (see Plate 54)
Trigger Guard - None (see Plate 54)
Cylinder - Serial number 80 (see Plate 52)
Loading Lever - Serial number 22
Back Strap - Serial number 79 (see Plate 53)
Cylinder Pin - Serial number 52

Martial Markings:

1. Small "U.S." on frame under Colt Patent stamping.
2. The single initial "K" is stamped on the
butt of the wood grips. (See Plate 53)
3. The single initial "K" is stamped on the top broad flat portion of the brass back strap.
4. No initial is stamped on the brass trigger guard.
5. The single initials "T" and "K" are stamped on the cylinder, and the "star" or "asterisk" is stamped on the muzzle end of the cylinder.
6. The initial "T" is stamped on the right barrel housing. (See Plate 52)
7. There are no Inspector's or Sub-Inspector's initials stamped on each side of the wood grips.

As shown above, the single initials that are stamped on the various parts are "T" and "K". In the first section of this chapter - Navy-Armies - the single initials found as a result of the survey were given. It is interesting to note that although the single initial. "T" did not appear, the single initial "K" did appear, and this seems to further justify the title "U. S. Martial". You will note that the trigger guard has neither a serial number or a single inspector's initial; however, this is an original small rounded brass trigger guard. On the gun itself, practically all of the bright blue remains on the barrel, and all of the blue (which has begun to turn brown) remains on the cylinder. The case hardening on the frame is excellent, and the case hardening on the loading lever is good. The cylinder engraving is perfect, and all of the cylinder pins are intact. There is no plating on the brass back strap or the brass trigger guard; however, this lack of silver plating seems to be standard on all Navy-Armies. From this description, it is easy to see that this '51 Navy has seen little or no use.

A short while after acquisition of the "low number mismatch" the subconscious mind of the Author (Nathan Swayze) kept saying "There's something wrong somewhere!" After making several casual checks -and this disconcerting thought continuing-the decision was made to thoroughly check the gun. It was completely disassembled, the bright light was adjusted, and the various strength magnifying glasses were laid in order. This nagging doubt would be settled one way or the other -even if it took all night! At random, the first part was picked up, and the first feature checked stood out like a sore thumb -this '51 Navy couldn't possibly have been a U. S. Army test gun! Right then and there, the Author disgustedly rejected the "1 of 100 Test Guns" theory that he had previously heard. It was also ridiculous that this one point had not been noticed before, but in doing research on a particular model antique gun, one frequently gets to the point where he "cannot see the trees for the forest". Also, at that time, the master 25 columnar format sheets had not been made. If this had been done -with the 25 features on each gun being arranged in chronological serial number order -the oversight would have been caught at once. At this point, the reader is probably wondering what the one feature is that caused the Author to reject the "1 of 100 Test Guns" theory -at least, on the Author's (Nathan Swayze) gun.

If you are an astute Colt student and have memorized the various physical characteristics and markings - along with the various serial number ranges - as previously described (which nobody ever does!), you will have already caught the answer. In case you haven't, the answer lies in (5) under the Physical Characteristics just given on this "low number mismatch" - Late New York barrel address! The barrel addresses found on the Navy-Armies U. S. Martials are the Early New York address and the Hartford address. The serial number range given for the Navy-Armies is 42000/80000, and the Late New York barrel address did not come into being until serial number range 101000. Therefore, the barrel of the Author's "low number mismatch" was stamped approximately 21000 guns after Colt had furnished the U. S. Army with the last of his '51 Navy models!

So, what is the real answer to the "low number mismatch"? The Author (Nathan Swayze) can't give a definite answer to this question -but he can advance a theory that he believes might be the answer. But first, are these guns original? The Author (Nathan Swayze) has had several responsible collectors and dealers check his specimen, and they are all of the same opinion. The parts, as well as the blue and case-hardening, are original. The martial markings are also original; so what can "they" be? The search began, and after several possible answers -which were immediately discarded -one theory emerged that might be the answer.

It is known that when Colt furnished his '51 Navies to the U. S. Army, he also furnished spare parts to the Ordnance Department. The spare parts were inspected and stamped, and this would account for the inspector's one initial on the various parts. The lack of Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors initials stamped on each side of the wood grips can be explained by the fact that since they were spare parts originally, they were never assembled into complete guns for testing, and, since the Inspector and Sub-Inspector stamping was probably the "end of the line" where inspection is concerned, it is only natural to assume that these two particular stampings would not appear.

On spare parts which Colt furnished from the Hartford factory, the Ordnance Department apparently used a numerical system to identify the various spare parts in the parts bins for various makes and models of the guns being used by the U. S. Army. This would account for the low serial numbers (which are actually not serial numbers, but probably parts numbers) that appear on these guns. It is also logical to assume that Colt did not furnish these extra parts in the "white" (for they would probably rust immediately); so the parts were blued and case hardened prior to delivery to the Ordnance · Department. This will account for the original blue and case hardening. Since they were spare parts and never used, this would account for the excellent condition of the guns.

It was during the Civil War that the first contract for Colt Revolvers specified interchangeability of parts; however, this contract was applicable to Colt's Model 1860 Army - and not his '51 Navy. The theory of "1 of 100" test guns could possibly have come about as a result of the interchangeability of parts portion of the contract of Colt's Model 1860 Army, combined with the low mismatched serial numbers on a few '51 Navies.

It is known that during World War II, an Eastern gun and parts dealer located an Arsenal supply of Original Colt percussion parts, and he bought them. These parts were apparently sold, and some of them were used to assemble complete guns, and these were sold to collectors.[1]
It is also known that after the introduction of the Colt Peacemaker in 1873, Colt sold its inventory of martial Colt Navy 1851 (fourth model) parts to various surplus dealers. In the 1940s, the surplus house of W. Stokes Kirk of Philadelphia assembled and numbered 120 of these “Stokes Kirk” Colt 1851 Navies. A W. Stokes Kirk Revolver labeled as #16 last appeared at auction in 2008. Colt manufactured over 130,000 Fourth Model 1851s. Many are still in existence. There were only 120 W. Stokes Kirks revolvers made. Below is a list of the Serial numbered revolvers known at the time of printing.[2]

It is these parts, the parts located after WW II and the “Stokes Kirk” parts that take us on the next leg of our journey, the beginning of the percussion reproduction revolver industry with “ The Gun That Started It All ”!

Endnotes :

[1] Nathan L. Swayze , ’51 Colt Navies, Yazoo City, MS, 1967

[2] R. L. Sutherland and R. L. Wilson , The Book of Colt Firearms, Kansas City, MO 1971

The J.H. Dance & Bros. Confederate Commemorative Revolver

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 19:55:10 GMT

Collecting the J. H. Dance Replica Revolvers

Many of those who visit the various older black powder forums may have seen the many postings of Dr. Jim Davis’ requests for information about various replicas that have been produced over the years. One of these had been the J.H. Dance & Bros. Confederate Commemorative Revolver and other Dance revolvers. The Dance revolvers were originally made in Texas.

After 17 plus years of research into the Dance replica revolvers that have been manufactured since the early 1950’s, Dr. Davis was finally able to put together the correct information on the production numbers for all replica Dance revolvers that had been manufactured in .36 and .44 caliber by Uberti and Pietta. The gem of these replicas was the J. H. Dance Bros. Commemorative Set produced by Uberti.

The first Dance replicas, and the gem of them all, were produced by Uberti in .36 cal. in 1985. Under contract with Tony Gajewski in 1985, owner of Southwest Muzzle Loaders Supply in Angleton, Texas, Uberti made 50 J.H. Dance & Bros. Confederate Commemorative Revolvers with only 44 revolvers being accepted for sale by Tony. They were finished with the Colt bright charcoal blue. The Texas Star appears on the cylinder inlaid in gold. All other markings on the revolvers were also gold filled. The 44 commemorative models in .36cal. came in a Walnut cased set complete with leather covered flask, mold, wrench, and cap box. The original cardboard box that they came in was a "Western Arms-Uberti" box. Each of these revolvers is certificated and is not authentic without the certificate. These have an "AR" prefix on the serial number starting with #AR001. Uberti then produced 50 "shooter" models in .36cal. These also came in "Western Arms" boxes. They have no engraving on the cylinder and are marked SMLS on the barrel. Tony Gajewski of South West Muzzleloaders Supply (no longer in business) is still considered the “Father” of the Dance replicas. Tony had one Dance .44cal. made on the Dragoon Frame with all the commemorative markings as a prototype.

The Commemorative revolvers have square back trigger guards, rather than the original oval type, and were used to readily identify the replica from an original. The six guns rejected by Tony did not have the proper markings on the barrel and were unfinished. The barrels were returned to Uberti for correction but never returned to SMLS. That left six finished frames and cylinders without barrels. No one knows where those six revolvers may be, or if they were ever released. Each of the Commemorative revolvers came in a Walnut Case with a Leather covered Flask, Bullet Mold, Nipple Wrench, and Brass Cap Box.

Probably the rarest production replica revolver ever produced is the Uberti Prototype of the Dragoon size .44cal. Dance Commemorative with all the gold fillings and inlays. This original Dance replica was rejected for production in favor of the .36 cal.

After the Commemoratives, the "Shooter Model” was introduced into production starting with serial #0001. These revolvers had plain cylinders and are marked SMLS INC “ANGLETON” TEXAS on top of the barrel. There were only 50 of the Uberti “Shooter Model” made. Uberti was furnishing certain parts to Colt at this time and could not fill any other contracts for the Dance revolver.

Beyond these first "Comemmorative" revolvers, Tony again revived the Dance revolver with a contract with Pietta in the mid 1990’s. It turns out that the Pietta .36 cal. revolvers were supposed to be marked DANCE FIREARMS CO. - ANGLETON, TEXAS, but are actually marked DANCE FIREAMS CO. - ANGLETON, TEXAS with the "R" missing in ARMS. This run was the fewest in number at only 35 guns. These start with serial # C00001 and continue through #C00047. There were an additional 4 guns produced that were supposed to be marked DANCE FIREARMS CO. - ANGLETON, TEXAS in .44 cal. with rebated cylinders, # C00048-C00051. And again, these are actually marked DANCE FIREAMS CO. - ANGLETON, TEXAS with the "R" missing in ARMS. The .44 cal. revolvers were prototypes for a possible .44cal. series. These were produced in 1996.

Pietta continued shipments of the .36 cal. Dance revolver that are only marked F.LLI PIETTA “MADE IN ITALY” on right side of the barrel. These were serial #C00052-C00127. This was about the same time that they discontinued the marking of any revolvers with anything other than their own name. All production of the Dance revolver in .36 cal. ended with serial #C00127. This is a total production of only 75 revolvers. The only revolvers left in serial #C00052-C00127 were only available from SMLS. These now sell for over $1000+. Dr. Davis acquired one of these Pietta Dance revolvers off the internet back around 2009. It is like new condition with serial #C00096. This is the only resale he had ever seen. These were also produced in 1996.

Due to a legal action between Pietta and Southwest Muzzle Loaders Supply for breach of contract, Pietta could not resume any manufacture of the .36cal. Dance revolver. Pietta had sold twelve of the Dance Firearms Co. revolvers on the European market in violation of the contract. That is the reason for there only being thirty five of the Dance Firearms Co. revolvers in the U. S. Of these thirty five revolvers, fourteen were owned by RPRCA Ltd. in addition to the four .44cal. prototypes produced by Pietta.

Pietta later resumed production of the .44 cal. with 7 1/2" barrels and REBATED CYLINDERS with serial #C00128. This production was modified to the current STRAIGHT CYLINDERS and 8" barrel at around serial #C00233. There were only 105 Dance revolvers in .44cal. made with rebated cylinders.

The Dance revolver covered in Adler's book "Black Powder Revolvers - Reproductions & Replicas", is the current .44 cal. that was available from Dixie Gun Works and Traditions, which are made by Pietta. He does not even mention the these original Uberti or Pietta .36 cal. revolvers at all, which are the most collectable of all..

There was an Uberti Dance revolver auctioned on Gun Broker around 2010. It sold for around $325 which was a correct price since it was what Dr. Davis categorize as a “Scrap Gun” in his planned book. A “Scrap Gun” is a gun that is assembled from parts left over from special edition guns and commemoratives that a manufacturer produced. Armi San Marco produced many of these. Uberti also used left over or seconds parts to assemble the Dance that sold on Gun Broker. It's even possible that the 6 remaining .36 caliber left over parts guns may have been one of these. These guns have a very limited interest to the collector. They are oddities but have little monetary value as compared to the a fore mention revolvers.

References:

~ compiled from the notes of Dr. James H Davis

Identifying Black Powder Replica Revolver Manufacturers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:23:16 GMT

Identifying Black Powder Replica Revolver Manufacturers

Almost all imported black powder replica revolvers are stamped with a variety of markings which may include Italian, Belgian, German, Spanish or other Proof House symbols, manufacturer's symbols, and an encoded date of proof, also considered the date of manufacture. It is usually a combination of heraldry and letters or logos, which need to be decoded in order to determine the actual manufacturer of the reproduction. It is also these maker marks and proofmarks, especially manufacturer symbols/logos that give us a history of the firearm. And with these symbols and date codes, we can usually track down who actually made the firearm. Importer marks or distributor marks are also present on some reproductions and can make it even more difficult to determine the actual manufacturer.

Until 1968, US law did not require manufacturers to have their mark on guns. This is why a certain number of revolvers produced prior to 1968 bear only the mark of the importer. The importation of weapons prior to 1968 was not very well regulated at all, but after 1968, many small shops saw its rules harden with the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968, which had a profound effect on firearms imported into the United States. This quickly led to the collapse of many small companies like EIG Cutlery and many others. In some cases the importation was was taken over by new names under the same owner like FIE, which put on the market even cheaper weapons, but of lower quality, which allowed it to last until the dawn of the 1990s and into the 21st century.

During the heyday of the replica revolver industry, there was a great deal more sharing of parts among the Italian manufacturers than there is today. During the 1960’s, 1970’s, and into the early 1980’s there was a bonanza market for these replica revolvers. The major manufacturers could not meet the demand and American distributors wanted more of and different models of what were being produced.

There were a good many very small “family shops” in the Gardone, Brescia area of Italy like MOFRA and others. It is becoming apparent that the major manufacturers used these shops as sub-contractors as a source of parts as well as complete revolvers for those distributors seeking cheaper and cheaper guns. The well known manufacturers did not want their name and reputation on a cheaper firearm, so these were sub-contracted out. These small manufacturers started with supplying only parts and then evolved into completed guns.

It is possible that some of these shops did not have an Italian firearms manufacturer’s license and could not sell their products direct, so they were sold through other manufacturers who had a license to manufacturer. As a result, we have a group of markings appearing on replica revolvers that have taken a long time to be identified because of the special conditions in the market at that time. There is a complete lack of many records, but with the assistance of many replica collectors from around the world, and especially in France, Germany and Italy, IO have been able to identify many of these makers and distributors. Some of these markings are COM, the Double Diamond Logo, PR, MOFRA and others as found on the Makers and Importers page of this web site.

So, the Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors Gallery is a photo library of many of the various Black Powder Proof marks, Date Codes, Importer, Distributor and Manufacturer's Marks to help with identifying the manufacturer of your revolvers, pistols or rifles. I will continue to add to the "library" as new marks are made aware of. Included with the marks is a brief history of each of the manufacturers who made or are still making these replicas and the importers/distributors who imported these replicas based on what is currently known about them. The history of some of these makers and importers are no longer available due to lost records. From time to time, new data becomes available that corrects previous information found to be incorrect based on what was known at the time. I hope it will aid those seeking information on their black powder cap & ball reproduction revolvers. This collection of proof marks and marks can also be found using the following link:

https://capandballrevolvers.com/makers-and-importers

Witloe Precision, Inc., An American Company

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:54:35 GMT

Collecting Witloe Precision Replicas

Witloe Precision Inc. was arguably among the finest of American Gun Makers. They were totally American made from start to finish with no Italian parts. Few gun enthusiasts know of the company or have examined their high quality revolvers. Even before they ceased production, Witloe revolvers were being sought after by competition target shooters and arms collectors.

Located in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, Witloe produced two revolvers, the Lee Model and the Grant Model. Both are re-creations of the original Model 1858 Remington New Model .44 cal. revolver. Almost identical in design to the original Remington, the Witloe frames were machined from both silicon bronze (not brass) and steel. The Lee model was bronze-framed, symbolic of the Confederacy’s melting down of bells for gun parts. The Grant model was of steel as were the original revolvers.

Researchers still don’t know how many Witloe revolvers were actually made. Apparently, the “serial numbers” stamped below their loading levers, may not necessarily be serial numbers per se. Most of their small gun production were Lee models. As few as 35 Grant models may have been made. Witloe gun parts interchange with those of the original 1858 New Model Remington. The quality of these revolvers equal that of the century-old originals.

Two design changes were made to discourage counterfeiters from “faking” Witloe revolvers as originals. First, the frame screws enter from the right side of the revolver frame rather than the left, in opposition to the originals. Second, their barrels were cut with a “ratchet rifling” reminiscent of a design used in British match rifles. Witloe buyers could choose grips made of imitation ivory or American Walnut.

The Witloe is one of the hardest replica revolvers to find. They were only in business for a couple of years in late 1950's. They went out of business because they couldn't compete with Navy Arms at that time.

R. T. Lane, from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., later purchased the remaining inventory of partially assembled revolvers and parts and produced a few in the mid 1960's. These later revolvers are known as 2nd Generation Witloes. Most of these revolvers were marked WITLOE COLLINGDALE, PENNA., in two lines on top of the barrel. Lane was given the right to use only the WITLOE name, since Witloe Precision Inc. was still in business doing other things. There were only around thirty five of these produced, some as cased sets and some not. Of particular interest are the "Grant" Models. These 2nd Generation “Grant” models have been found to not have the “Grant” stamped on the barrel side and some do not have stamps at all except “.44” A few were standard non-target models, but most were target models.

To differentiate between the 1st Generation and 2nd Generation “Witloes”, the 1st Generation were marked WITLOE PRECISION INC/COLLINGDALE PENNA USA and 2nd Generation were marked WITLOE COLLINGDALE PENNA USA. These markings can be found on the top of the barrel in two rows. Since R. T. Lane bought up all the left over parts of the 1st Generation Witloe revolvers, some of the 2nd Generation revolvers have been found that do not have Witloe stamps at all or have Witloe stamped on the side of the barrel with the “44” stamp. It seems these 2nd Generation revolvers tend to carry more value than the 1st Generation, but the value of a collectable firearm is determined by supply and demand. The supply of the Witloe revolvers is is still unknown as to number produced. Some have sold for as little as $395 to $700, and others have gone for as much as $1300.

~ from the notes of Dr. James H Davis

Palmetto Replica Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:39:08 GMT

Collecting Palmetto Made Replica Revolvers

Palmetto had it's foundation in Mainardi Officina Fabrica Replica Armi, or MOFRA, an Italian manufacturer conglomerate established in Brescia, Italy. Alamiro Mainardi started MOFRA around 1971 in Brescia, Italy and soon, with his brother, expand to become EUROMANUFACTURE (not to be confused with Euroarms), who's logo was the double diamond logo (one diamond for each brother), and was eventually absorbed by Palmetto around 1980. Palmetto was known predominately for their replica of the Model 1861 Whitney Navy Revolver and 1855 Colt Side Hammer Revolving Carbine. Their logo was a palm tree in a circle. Sometimes we see the Palmetto “P” stamped on the barrel which is stylized to make one think of a palm tree.

Palmetto produced revolvers mostly for Dixie Gun Works in the early 1980's. They may have also sold to other distributors of that time who did not mark their guns. The Dr. James H. Davis Collection at RPRCA had eight Palmetto revolvers in its collection.

Spiller & Burr – - Mfg date 1983 - Marked: SPILLER AND BURR CAL .36 DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. (Palm Tree logo Left Side Frame)

Remington New Model Army - Mfg date not marked - Marked: REMINGTON NEW MODEL ARMY .44 CALIBER DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. (Palm Tree logo on Cylinder)

1849 Pocket 6” Barrel (Actually 5 3/3”) – Mfg date not marked - Marked: Only Palm Tree logo on Cylinder.

1861 Whitney – Mfg date 1982 – Marked: 1861 E. WHITNEY .36 CALIBER

1861 Whitney – Mfg date 2002 – Marked: 1861 E. WHITNEY .36 CALIBER

(2) 1855 “Root” Side Hammer 3½” Barrel .31cal. – Mfg 2003 – Marked: MADE IN ITALY BY PALMETTO (Right Side Barrel)

1855 “Root” Side Hammer 5½” Barrel .36cal. – Mfg 2004 – Marked: MADE IN ITALY BY PALMETTO (Under Loading Lever)

It is not clear whether they were going to produce these revolvers themselves or distribute revolvers of other manufacturers in addition to their own. The 1861 Whitney and the 1855 “Roots” Side Hammer were of their own manufacture. They advertise that they will produce the 1855 “Roots” in .31 cal. with both the 3½” & 5½” barrel. Only the 3½” has been observed. Deer Creek old the 1855 “Roots” in .36 cal. with a 5½” barrel. Also, Dixie Gun Works carried the Palmetto “Roots” Revolving Rifle at a hefty $1500+.

Reference:

~ the notes of Dr, James H. Davis for the book, "Replica Percussion Revolvers - A Collector's Guide" (unpublished) being researched by the Dr. Davis before his passing.

Why Replica Revolvers Are Not Exact Copies of Originals

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:52:21 GMT

Why Replica Revolvers Are Not Exact Copies of Originals

Initially, Bill Edwards (William B. “Bill” Edwards), the Technical Editor of Guns Magazine, had secured an original Colt 1851 Navy revolver from a collector friend in France that was secretly delivered to an arms dealer in England to be sent to Brescia to use as the pattern for the reproductions. But due to existing gun laws in Italy at the time, the revolver could not be imported into Italy because, though clearly marked as an antique, the pattern pistol was refused by the Italian customs authority because the addressee did not have a license to manufacture firearms. The addressee was the firm of Vittorio Gregorelli, a subcontractor to the Beretta factory at the time. So Bill Edwards devised another plan, and that was to get his model Navy pistol #82 (above) taken into Italy via Germany by a military major stationed in Italy. It was then delivered to Vittorio Gregorelli, subcontractor to the Beretta factory, to begin the manufacture of the prototypes of the M1851 Colt Navy reproductions.

Val Forgett, a very close personal friend of Bill Edwards, soon founded Navy Arms as a subsidiary of Service Armament to distribute those replica '51 Navy revolvers in the U.S. and the replica industry was born and became a very large part of the U.S. and Italian gun industry.

"To be sure the manufacture of the pistol was perfectly understood. Gregorelli was required to make 12 model arms (for promotional and display purposes). He made not 12, but 16 guns. I believe 10 of those were copies of the Colt Navy M1851 pattern which I had supplied him, and the rest were with brass frames and round barrels, copies of the Confederate Griswold & Gunnison .36 Army revolver."

"I received No. 1 of the Colt, the 'Yank' and No. 13 of the 'Reb' at my office only four or five days before I departed for Europe again. The models were excellent, brilliantly blued, but there were many details incorrect. 'For gawdsake get over there, Bill, and get those details straightened out with the Italians,' was Val's happy sentiment when I phoned him before my departure. This I did, and duly noted were some dozen changes between the prototypes and what should be produced by machine."

"Most of the changes were subtle; two were obvious. The front sight on the prototypes was a blade dovetailed in from the front of the flat muzzle. This was decreed altered to a bead screwed into the top like the original Colt. Also, the screw heads of the guard screws were too large, and the brass of the guard plate had been left wide at the rear screws to surround the bigger heads. This caused the brass to project out slightly, not being flush with the thickness of the frame at that point. Also, the end of the guard plate was chopped just beyond the front screw; this was corrected to more nearly conform to the model. The handles on both the 'Yank' and 'Reb' are like the Colt but not quite. I deliberately did not have them copy the inner curve and beveled angle on the back of the guard plate, since this made a quick distinction between the modem copy and the old original. The barrel tops from No. 1 of the production series were marked NAVY ARMS CO; the prototypes were unmarked."

"I was later glad the grips were so different; at a meeting of the Wisconsin Gun Collectors Association several years later l saw a neatly rusted brass framed pistol tagged 'Confederate, $300.00'. I thought this price was a trifle unfair since Navy Arms Company only charged $89.95 list price for their pistols and that was with all the original blue and markings, not rusted and filed off as this specimen of 'Reb' that I saw before me. I did not bother to inform the advanced collector of his choice; the grip shape was a dead giveaway. Internally, of course, the tight and shallow rifting for 9mm is another giveaway. The prototypes had 7 grooves right hand (clockwise) twist; the production pistols from the first 6 grooves."

"Characteristic of Navy Arms pistol is the absence of the Colt safety pins on shoulders between the nipples, and consequently lack of the tiny cut in hammer face to slip over these pins. The lip of hammer has a square notch rear sight instead of Colt's V."

As a result of these changes made by Bill Edwards, it has been a practice of the Italian replica manufacturing industry to carry on the tradition of subtle changes in replica revolvers, not only to pacify the original revolver collecting associations, but as a matter of maintaining the integrity of the replica revolver industry.

Reference:

Civil War Guns by William B. Edwards, Chapter 35

The BILL EDUARDS Addressed Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:39:46 GMT

"The Misspelled Bill Edwards Revolvers"

The story on the auction site, pertaining to an 1860 Colt Army being auctioned off back in 2010, goes like this:

"This is a late 1960’s-Early ‘70’s reproduction of the Colt 1860 Army Revolver in .44 Caliber, imported by William B. Edwards (Bill Edwards). The back story of this Revolver is that Bill Edwards, who was the founder of the Civil War reproduction industry and author of the book "Civil War Guns", was the first to start looking to have this manufactured in Europe and had these made to be imported. He had them marked “ADDRESS BILL EDWARDS AFTON, V.A. U.S. AMERICA“ similar to the originals that were marked “SAM COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” that the 1860’s were known for. As for condition, it is in BEAUTIFUL brand new condition (serial # 8069) in the original covered box! This is an rare revolver, .i.e. the "One that started the 1860 Reproduction Craze", waiting to be showcased in any SERIOUS collector’s display case!" The buyer of this particular 1860 was Dr. James Davis of the RPRCA (Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association)."

But, unfortunately, that story is not quite accurate. Those who collect these replicas know that the industry was started with an 1851 Colt Navy and not an 1860 Colt Army. As for this 1860 Colt Army replica, there is another explanation for this revolver and others like it. Here is how that particular 1860 Colt Army revolver....and other revolvers, including an 1858 Remington New Army revolver with the same address mark on it became reproductions and the rarest of the rare.

There were replica revolvers that were supplied to Bill Edwards, partner in Centennial Arms Corp., in an attempt to persuade him to use Rigarmi (RAG) as a future supplier of the revolvers. The revolvers so far uncovered that were sent to him are Remington New Model Armies, Colt 1860 Armies (the subject revolver above?), Colt Model 1851 Navies w/Brass frame and engraved cylinder, and a Schneider & Glassick which is an 1851 brass frame Navy with plain cylinder. At that time the plain cylinder on what is the Schneider & Glassick was an example of a cost cutting step in production. All four of these revolvers were in the RPRCA (Dr. James H Davis) collection and were obtained through auctions, on Gun Broker and Auction Arms at prices in the $1400 range per revolver. The three obtained on Auction Arms were posted by Sarco, Inc. Bill Edwards had presented these three revolvers to Charlie Steen, President of Sarco, Inc. four decades ago, after he had received them from RigArmi.

Rigarmi produced the revolvers for Bill Edwards that bear this barrel address:

- ADDRESS BILL EDUARDS AFTON VA US AMERICA -

The Italians mistakenly used the letter "U" instead of "W", making these the rarest of the rare!

From a letter Dr. Jim Davis received from William Edwards dated August 24, 2002, Bill Edwards states,

"In the 1970s I obtained from Rino Galesi and from Luciano Amadi, Navys and Remingtons. These were roll marked ADDRESS BILL EDUARDS AFTON VA US AMERICA in emulation of Colt's markings as they consider that I was the spiritual if not the generic descendant of Sam Colt!"

So there we have it and how these revolvers came to be. And we notice that Bill Edwards stated Navys and Remingtons, plural. So we really don’t know exactly how many were actually sent to Bill Edwards. It seems, from further research that there may have been as many as three or four of each of the four revolvers, since we have come across at least three Remingtons that can be accounted for. Where are they now?

As of April 24, 2020 Dr. Davis’ four revolvers had been in the possession of October Country and were available for purchase. Those were sold that same year. Since that time at least one Remington is in the collection of Mark Hubbs of Eras Gone By Bullet Molds and another has been in the collection of PathfinderNC of the Muzzleloading Forum. As others may come to light I will continue to update this document.

References:

Edwards, William B. “Unpublished research Notes for Civil War Guns and other publications” Afton, VA.

Davis, Dr. James H , unpublished notes and “Schneider & Glassick - The “Accidental” Replica Revolver”

Tucker & Sherrard “Texas Dragoon” Limited Edition from Western Arms

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 23:47:28 GMT

The Tucker & Sherrard “Texas Dragoon” Limited Edition

The first original Tucker & Sherrard was manufactured by Tucker, Sherrard & Co in their factory near Dallas in 1861 and 1862 during the Civil War. Originally contracted to supply the State Military Board with 3,000 revolvers, half were to be big, .44 caliber Dragoons and half .36 caliber revolvers based on the 1851 Colt Navy. The board received only one sample gun and total production was only an estimated 400 revolvers. And it seems that only two actual Tucker, Sherrard & Co. revolvers ever made it out of production. Needless to say, the contract was cancelled. The company became Clark, Sherrard & Co. after the war and produced a limited number of these Dragoon revolvers c. 1866-1867. The revolvers were the same, only the manufacturer name was changed.

It seems the majority of the very limited surviving examples were assembled and finished after the war by Clark, Sherrard & Co. A.S. Clark, the firm's foreman, wrote in 1867 that they had "about 400 caliber .44 old style army revolvers which we plan to embellish into high class merchandise". So they turned to the Civilian market.

In the late 70’s, Western Arms Co. distributed the Uberti made Limited Edition Tucker Sherrard & Co. replica revolver, known as the “Texas Dragoon” to comemmorate the few Tuckewr & Sherrard revolvers made in Twxas. It was basically a Confederate copy of the Colt First Model Dragoon (some say 2nd Model Dragoon) finished in blue case colors with one piece walnut grips, square trigger back and brass straps. Left side of barrel is stamped "TUCKER SHERRARD & CO." Blued cylinder has gold leaf engraving, a Texas star on one side with crossed cannons and soldiers on the other. It came in a beautiful walnut display box with Texas copper flask, two cavity brass bullet mold and brass cap tin. It was a very short lived production with a very limited number of only 400 revolvers made. The cased set revolvers were serialized with the numbers T1 - T400.

The Western Arms' revolver is based on the .44 caliber Dragoon and patterned after the First Model Colt Dragoon, originally. Just as the Dance Brothers’ gun was distinguished by its flat frame and a complete absence of recoil shields, the Tucker & Sherrard Dragoon had its identifying characteristic in the fact that there was no loading aperture on the right side of the barrel frame or lug. Those original guns made after the War had a large star etched on the cylinder with the markings, "Texas Arms." This is the version Western Arms had reproduced.

The Western Arms Corporation had for its president and general manager at the time, Mr. Leonard Allen, the founder of Replica Arms back in 1961, and the chairman of the board of Uberti, perhaps the best known maker of replica guns in the world, Aldo Uberti of Italy. Leonard Allen had informed some of the Tucker & Sherrard's proposed appearance some three months before any guns were actually received from Italy and had explained that the series was confined to 400 pieces, corresponding to the supposed number of the original guns manufactured over a hundred years ago in Lancaster, Texas.

The limited replica version was specially serial numbered and cased in a mahogany or walnut case and would be accompanied by suitable accessories including a special Texas flask and a .44 caliber bullet mold. The price would be $395.00 for the set or an individual gun alone would go for a hundred dollars less. After the first 400 guns were sold, the Dragoon would be offered as a regular item in the Western Arms catalog, but without any of the specific identifying features of the first 400. There were to be about 1,000 made of the standard model, which became known as the "Shooters" model. At the time, Allen also mentioned the possibility of a .36 caliber gun later with serial numbers to match those of the Dragoons, but it seems these never made it to production.

The first prototype's case was walnut, with the lid lined in blue satin and the remainder compartmented and covered with a grayish blue velvet. A special copper flask depicted a scene from the Battle of the Alamo and is complete with the seal of the State of Texas, while the bullet mold was brass with a color case hardened sprue cutter and two cavities, one for the round ball and another for the conical type bullet. As beautiful as the accessories are, they must take a back seat to the revolver. Any Dragoon is a powerful appearing sixgun and the Tucker & Sherrard is just that. But it is also beautiful in appearance to complement its other characteristics. Mr. Allen had stated in advance that the prototype's cylinder was hand engraved, along with most of its markings, but that the regular series guns would feature roll engraved cylinders to prevent confusion with the original's which was etched and bore the name of the engraver, L. S. Perkins. Engraved with the star of Texas, the cylinder's chambers digest 50 gr. loads easily. The production sets turned out to be identical to the prototype.

The usual, "Black Powder Only" legend was engraved on the brass grip frame's butt and not too readily visible. Outwardly, the Dragoon's frame, hammer and rammer assembly are beautifully color casehardened while the deep, rich blue-black finish on cylinder and barrel complement the square-backed, brass trigger guard and backstrap, also beautifully polished. The one piece walnut grips are dark and well grained, lightly oiled and closely mated to the grip frame. The Barrel length is 7½ inches and is round forward of the lug, while the rammer latch is the horizontal, Navy type common to the original Tucker & Sherrard. Nearly as heavy as the Colt Walker, the Texas Dragoon comes in at four pounds, two ounces.

The engraved cylinder naturally catches the eye, for it contains the five-pointed star, the Texas Arms markings and to make it, in the terms used by Tucker & Sherrard, "suitably embellished," the original firm's coat of arms which consists of two Spanish Conquistadors armed with lances and holding a shield over crossed cannons. Leonard Allen stated that this design was taken from one or two samples of the original guns, but that the etched design used at the time of their manufacture had worn to the point of being almost illegible. Suitable markings occur on the sides of the barrel lug and also on its top while the barrel is marked, "Cal. 44" on its left side. There is no loading aperture on the right side of the barrel lug! The German silver front sight blade shows up very well in the rear hammer notch sight. The cylinder measures just under 2½ inches in length making this a black powder magnum of the first order. Italian caps fit the nipples best. The huge base pin is indicative of the overall strength of this massive revolver.

So now that we know what the “Limited Edition Texas Dragoon” should look like, beware of those trying to claim that the 1,000 Tucker Sherrards made after the Limited Edition run are as valuable as the “Texas Dragoons”. They are indeed collectable in their own right with just 1,000 copies out there, but the “Limited Edition” is much more valuable with its gold embellishments, walnut cases and “Alamo” powder flask. These "Shooters" models also had normal sequenced Uberti serial numbers, distinguishing them from the Limited Editions, which had the "T" prefix before the serial number.

Be aware of the supposed Tucker & Sherrard revolvers made by Armi San Marco in the early 1980's. These ASM revolvers have 1 very identifying feature, among others, which excludes them from being a Tucker & Sherrard and that is the aperture that appears on the right side of the barrel frame or lug. The true Tucker & Sherrard replicas do not have this aperature just as the original Revolver did not. The ASM revolver is a Colt 2nd Model Dragoon with only a Tucker & Sherrard like cylinder used in place of the usual 2nd Model Dragoon cylinder. Identifying photos on the ASM made replicas are yet to be found, but rumors abound none the less.

Armi San Marco actually did produce a copy of the L.E. Tucker & Sons revolver, a predecessor of the Tucker & Sherrard and nearly identical in design, except for being in .36 caliber. The ASM repro was a 2nd Model Dragoon .44 pistol with the stamp "L.E. Tucker & Sons" in modern fancy block-type font on the top of the barrel lug, whereas the original had a hand-cut stamp in the same place and was not a Dragoon but a .36 caliber..

Notice the loading aperture opening on this same "fake" L. E. Tucker revolver below.

Also beware of those "fake" Tucker & Sherrard revolvers that are standard Uberti made 2nd Model Dragoon replicas with a "Tucker & Sherrard cylinder added to them like the one below. Notice the loading aperture on the right hand side of the lug and the lack of defining markings that the "Limited Edition" Tucker and Sherrard has on the barrel lug.

Often times these Uberti and ASM "fake" Tucker & Sherrard replicas are listed as being Tucker & Sherrard "Limited Editions' or one of the 1,000 "Shooter's" replicas made, but they are not. Their price should be in line with any other Uberti or ASM 2nd Model Dragoon pricing based on condition.

References:

The notes of Dr. James H Davis ,

Guns Magazine , February 1979, Bennington, Bill, “Texas Dragoon”

Colt .36 Caliber to .38 Caliber Conversion

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 22:46:33 GMT

Colt .36 Caliber to .38 Caliber Conversions

Converting any .36 caliber replica revolver to fire cartridges can be a tricky proposition. The conversion cylinders for these .36 caliber revolvers actually are .38 caliber conversions. So, when using a .38 Colt conversion cylinder on a .36 caliber replica revolver, to attain accuracy with a modern .38 caliber cartridge in your reproduction .36 caliber percussion revolver, you must shoot soft lead .38 Special hollow base wad cutters, .38 Colt hollow base or .38 Colt heeled ammunition.

Both Howell Conversions and Kirst Konverter Conversions offer a cartridge conversion cylinder for the 1851 and the 1861 Colt Navy revolvers manufactured by either Uberti or Pietta. The conversion cylinders are available in .38 Long Colt caliber, as a six shot cylinder. So why must one shoot soft lead .38 Special hollow base wad cutters, .38 Colt hollow base or .38 Colt heeled ammunition? Why not just load with .38 Colt cartridges?

The .36 caliber percussion revolver barrel has a bore diameter that is supposed to be .375 inches. More important is the fact that today’s .38 caliber cartridges are loaded with .357-inch diameter bullets. That's about an .017 to .018 differentce in bullet size to barrel size. And on the replicas, not all the barrels measure out to exactly .375 inches. As you can see in Fig. 1, my '51 Pietta Colt Navy measures at the crown about .355 1/2 and at the forcing cone .375. The Howell cylinder I have has chambers of .374.

Due to these measuremnts of the .375 barrel and the .357 bullet diameter, in order to attain accuracy with a modern .38 Long Colt caliber cartridge in the reproduction .36 caliber percussion revolver conversion, you must shoot soft lead .38 Special, hollow base wad cutters, .38 Long Colt hollow base or .38 Long Colt healed ammunition so as to compensate for the .375 measurement. The soft lead hollow base bullet will “bump up” to the .375-inch bore diameter through obturation, the result of a bullet or pellet expanding or upsetting to fit the bore, and shoot more accurately. A bullet made of soft material and with a concave base, will flare under the heat and pressure of firing, filling the bore and engaging the barrel's rifling. The mechanism by which an undersized soft-metal projectile enlarges to fill the barrel is, for hollow-base bullets, expansion from gas pressure within the base cavity and, for solid-base bullets, "upsetting"— the combined shortening and thickening that occurs when a malleable metal object is struck forcibly at one end.

The chambers of the conversion cylinders will accept .38 Special hollow base wad cutter cartridges but the cylinder is too short for and is not intended for use of the .38 Special standard cartridge. They must be hollow base wad cutter bullets or heel base bullets . The cylinder has been made this way so that the shooter can use commercially loaded hollow base, soft lead bullet ammunition. It is very important to remember that the cylinder it is not intended for the standard .38 Special cartridge. The .38 Colt hollow base or .38 Long Colt heeled base bullet also works very well so as to compensate for the .375 measurement. The full .38 Colt may require a slight cutting down of the brass case due to the length of the bullet.

Another option is to get the barrel lined to .357. Lining the barrel to .357 will increase accuracy and any standard .38 caliber Long Colt bullet may be used.

Howell Conversions charges $85 to $100 for lining the barrel and you send the entire revolver to them including the conversion cylinder and the percussion cap cylinder as they will set the head space for the conversion cylinder and the cylinder gap for the cap & ball cylinder to assure a proper fit once the barrel is lined.

Gregorelli & Uberti Made, Navy Arms Imported Replica Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 20:55:26 GMT

The First Imported Italian Made Replicas

In the history of Navy Arms, there was a small company in Brescia, Italy Louie Amadi found that was willing to tool up to produce those first replica revolvers. That small company was known as Gregorelli and Uberti. The revolvers they made are stamped with “GU” that stands for the Gregorelli and Uberti partnership. Gregorelli mmanufactured the steel parts for the revolvers and Uberti assembled the revolvers. When Aldo Uberti first started into the replica manufacturing business, he did not have a manufacturer’s license at the time, so he had to partner with Gregorelli who was licensed to manufacture the parts for the revolvers.

On the 1851 Navy, the first revolver to be marketed, the “GU” will be found extending into the 5000 serial number range. The highest number in the Jim Davis Collection was 5080. The “GU” can also be found on the first Griswold & Gunnison, Leech & Rigdon, Remington New Model Army and New Model Navy.

On the Griswold & Gunnison and Leech & Rigdon the “GU” appears on the right side of the barrel flat the same as on the 1851 Navy. NAVY ARMS is on top of the barrel and on left side of frame. On a particular Leech & Rigdon #6546 the NAVY ARMS is not on the left side of the frame but only on the top of the barrel, making it very unique in its own right.

On the Remington New Model revolvers, the “GU” is located on the bottom of the barrel under the loading lever. These revolvers will also have the Navy Arms Bogota, NJ address. The Bogata, NJ address can be found on the revolvers made through 1959 with the transition to the Navy Arms Ridgefield, NJ address coming sometime after January of 1960.

Actually, Gregorelli & Uberti was somewhat of a separate company in the beginning because Gregorelli had the manufacturer's license and Uberti did not. Gregorelli & Uberti were only in business for around four years, 1959-1962. They split in about 1962-63 and Uberti formed his own company when he received a manufacturer’s license. The Leech & Rigdon in the set Dr, Jim Davis got from Joe Salter has a date code for 1965 and a 6000 range serial number, way past the split up of Gregorelli & Uberti. According to records whatever parts that were left over from the original replicas were used on Uberti’s guns. From all the revolvers seen only one continuous string of serial numbers was used for all their model guns rather than a separate serial number range for each model. This can also be observed in the sixteen prototypes of the 1851 Navy and Griswold & Gunnison that were produced.

I posted an article by Dennis Russell to the blog that might be of interest. It is entitled, “The Gun That Started It All”. It relates the history of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver with Serial #82, from William Edwards assembling the gun at the Colt factory to it being smuggled into Italy for Gregorelli & Uberti to make the prototypes. Dennis Russell now owns this #82 revolver and Dr. Jim Davis had the Prototype number 1 in his collection. That prototype #1 is now in the Chad Fisher Collection.

In his research Dr. Jim Davis added Gregorelli & Uberti as a separate company that evolved into Uberti. This means the “GU” initialed and “Gregorelli & Uberti” marked revolvers are truly the first mass produced replica revolvers outside the United States with Centennial Arms made in Belgium coming in a very close second (matter of months). Both of these manufactirers are the results of William B. Edwards efforts to get the replica revolver industry going. Leonard Allen with the Replica Arms Co. El Paso, TX being the third out of the gate in 1962-63 with the 1847 Walker and other big frame revolvers as well as the Baby Dragoons and Pocket Model .31 cal. revolvers. Interestingly, EIG is the first accurate replica of a Schneider & Glassick brass frame 1851 Navy type, if only by accident. This appeared in 1963-64. (See " Schneider & Glassick - The Accidental Replica Revolver "). Some of these had the GB logo on the butt which is still a mystery to me.

ENDNOTES:

~ from the notes of Dr. James H Davis and Bill Edwards.

Collecting the Centennial Arms “Italian Half Brother” Replicas

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 23:23:18 GMT

Centennial Arms Other Imported Replicas

If one has the opportunity to scan old magazine advertisements from Centennial Arms Corp, you will notice that they marketed more than just the well known 1960 (1860) New Army .44 Revolver known as the Centaure. Yet, these other marketed revolvers are not that well known and even more scarce, making them collectable in their own right. What got me initially interested in these revolvers was discussing them in 2018 with Dr. Jim Davis before his passing back in 2019. And since that time I was able to secure the Schneider & Glassick pictured above, which was in unfired condition and the only one of its kind, possibly a prototype, since there are no maker's marks on it at all.

Because these Italian made “CENTENNIAL” marked cap and ball revolvers were of great relevance to the research program of Dr. Jim Davis, his important research of the replica percussion revolver story has brought these rare revolvers to light. I will only cover these by compiling what little information that Dr. Davis had been able to pass on to me and will add information as it becomes available.

Having said that, please, consider the market that Centennial Arms Corporation, Inc. was facing during the early 1960s. Thanks to the commemorating activities related to the centennial of the US Civil War the market for period replica guns had greatly expanded. Awareness and desire to own such guns among the American community of re-enactors, shooters and to a limited extent, collectors, was high.

However, this situation must not exclusively be attributed to the marketing geniuses of Centennial Arms Corporation’s William B. Edwards and Sigmund Shore, but also to their then friendly competition of other well-known US replica distributors like Val Forgett’s Navy Arms from Bogota, NJ or Turner Kirkland’s Dixie Gun Works of Union City, TN. Additional US distributors like Replica Arms from El Paso, TX smelling the business opportunity of this emerging replica market were soon to jump on the bandwagon of black powder guns as well, if only for a shorter period of time.

At the same time in Italy further small gun shops mushroomed in the cozy village of Gardone in Val Trampia near Brescia, Italy. These shops manufactured additional period percussion revolver models or variants of existing models for the booming US market. At that time Centennial Arms Corp. offered a wide assortment of F.A.U.L. of Belgium made black powder rifles, shotguns and single shot pistols from the Civil War and the American Revolution period. Some are pictured here on this 1961 catalog page and subsequent flyer.

On the other hand, they had only one exclusive cap and ball revolver in their assortment, namely the New Model Army Centaure of Colt 1860 pattern. But they were already allowing a glimpse of their future product line in the lower right corner of that flyer, an Italian made Colt 1851 Navy pattern pistol with a brass frame.

A couple of months later their revolver program from Belgium was already extended to three models of their Centaure line, namely the Regular New Model Army, the Civilian New Model Army and the Cavalry New Model Army. They had also added the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Model Dragoon from an Italian maker, if we are to believe the above ad. The caveat here is this though: they sold the 3 Centaure Models and more variants of the Belgian Colt Army in the years to come. But at this point we do not know if the above Dragoons ever really existed in numbers for sale. And if they were available for sale we do not know for sure who made them. This is simply because none have been found to date that we are aware of!

According to Dr. Davis, at that time the only maker of replicas of Dragoons, Walkers, Baby Dragoons and Pocket percussion revolvers of Colt pattern was Armi San Marco (ASM). But their US distributor back then was Replica Arms from El Paso. We do not know if Replica Arms had an exclusive deal with ASM and if they did, for how many years.

We also do not know if FAUL had made prototypes of these Dragoons like they had done of a Colt Navy pattern Leech & Rigdon for Centennial Arms. So, this could just as well have been pictures of FAUL Dragoon prototypes on that flyer.

During the early 1960s Navy Arms sold the Uberti 1851 Navy with steel & brass frame plus the Remington Army and Navy in various configurations in the U.S. as their prime offerings. But they were working hard with their Italian partner Aldo Uberti to extending that line, with their version of the Colt Army 1860 replica to be added in April 1963. Turner Kirkland’s Dixie Gun Works had focused on Civil War and American Revolution rifles back then.

So, to take further advantage of the market’s momentum and their strong market position, to advance to become the major player they eventually were, Centennial Arms visionaries Bill Edwards and Sig Shore elected to extend their line of percussion revolvers. They were looking for makers of unique and exclusive percussion revolver models that could not be had from their competitors. But they realized that successful competition required mainstream pistols like the venerable 1851 Navies and/or the Remington family of percussion revolvers. As has been mentioned before, we know that FAUL produced at least one prototype of the CSA Leech & Rigdon revolver for Centennial Arms which is in the Shore Collection as far as we know today. This Belgian Navy pattern pistol was never launched for sale to the best of our knowledge. Bearing that in mind, we cannot rule out that FAUL made prototypes of other percussion revolver models like Dragoons or Remingtons as well but none have surfaced that we are aware of.

It stands to reason that Centennial Arms charged FAUL during the early 1960s with the task of extending the “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” line. But Williams and Shore eventually looked elsewhere for other Civil War revolver replicas, namely the manufacturers in Italy

In looking at percussion revolvers with the “C ENTENNIAL” mark as part of their marking what follows is what we have assembled:

Above is an Armi san Paolo 1851 Navy from the Dr. Davis collection with steel frame and cylinder with the correct Ormsby naval engagement scene. The marking on top of the barrel from the breech to the muzzle reads CENTENNIAL ARMS, CHICAGO ILL. Serial number is #33288, MADE IN ITALY and Army san Paolo logo are stamped under the barrel. According to the proof mark the pistol is from 1971.

Centennial Arms referred to these pistols as “brass frame Colt 1851 Navy”. This terminology was of their own making and is not historically correct. The correct terminology for brass frame, octagon barrel, plain cylinder percussion revolvers would be a Schneider & Glassick.

Above is an Investarms Schneider & Glassick Sheriff model from the Dr. Jim Davis Collection. The marking on the left side of the barrel lug reads CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK in two lines. Serial number is #13643. According to the Italian proof mark XX7 it was made 1971.

Above is a Schneider & Glassick Model with regular 7,5” barrel, from the Dennis M. Norton Collection. This pistol does not have any manufacturer marks anywhere on the revolver. The marking on top of the barrel from the muzzle to the breech reads CENTENNIAL ARMS, CHICAGO ILL. The proof mark again is XX7, i. e. and is also from 1971. This revolver came from the Dr. Davis Collection and could possibly be a prototype.

Above is Page 185 of the 1974 Lyman Muzzleloader’s handbook (courtesy Dr. Jim Davis) lists a number of Centennial Arms revolver kits. The current research indicates that these kits are from one or more Italian makers but not from FAUL in Belgium.

Conclusions:

Our beloved Centaure aka “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”, definitely has “half brothers” running around the US. These Italian pistols made from the 1970s are marked “CENTENNIAL” in one way or the other but NOT MADE IN BELGIUM.

From the pre-1970 period none of the Italian percussion revolvers marketed by Centennial Arms Corp. are available for inspection. Therefore, we cannot be sure if they were marked “CENTENNIAL” in any way. We should bear in mind, however, that from 1962 Centennial Arms Corp. ordered their Centaures in Belgium with a barrel marking including “CENTENNIAL” to further establish the company name as a trade mark in the US market.

It would probably be a fair to assume that they had their Italian replica suppliers follow suit. Here is what we know:

1. Centennial Arms marketed brass framed & octagon barrel Colt Navy 1851 pattern pistols with 7,5” and 5” barrels MADE IN ITALY from 1961. The manufacturer is currently unknown.

2. Centennial Arms advertised Colt Dragoon pattern pistols MADE IN ITALY from 1961. The manufacturer is assumed to be Armi san Marco because that was the only maker of Dragoon type pistols during the 1960s.

3. Centennial marked Colt Navy 1851 pattern pistols with 7,5” and 5” barrels MADE IN ITALY are confirmed from the early 1970s. Makers were Armi san Paolo (steel frame) and Investarms (brass frame).

4. Centennial marketed steel frame Colt Navy 1851 pattern pistols with 7,5” and 5” barrels, half fluted cylinders and lanyard ring MADE IN ITALY are confirmed from the 1970s. The 7,5” barrel variant was dubbed “Police”, the 5” barrel version “Sheriff”. The manufacturer was Armi San Paolo.

5. Centennial marketed Remington Army and Navy pattern pistols incl. the Army Target variant MADE IN ITALY are confirmed from the 1970s. The manufacturer is assumed to be Armi San Paolo.

6. Centennial marketed C&B revolver kits during the 1970s of brass and steel frame Navy 1851 pattern, Remington Army pattern, Colt Army 1860 pattern, made by unknown Italian makers.

No completely finished Italian made Centennial Arms marketed Colt Army of 1860 pattern has been brought to our attention. Based on the evidence it is unlikely that they ever attempted to compete with their own flagship Centaure except in the kits’ department.

To add another perspective to this subject please note the recollections of Leslie Field, one of the principals of Mars/Centennial, from June of 2011: “We have made a diligent search of the Mars/Centennial records at Shore Galleries and very little documentation remains. As one of the principals involved in Mars/Centennial, my experience at that time leads me to seriously doubt that many of the items ever existed in any quantity. The one replica which I know existed and was sold in some quantity was the Harpers Ferry Flintlock single-shot pistol, which the Belgians considered to be the best thing we ever did.”

If you let Les’s statements sink in, Italian percussion revolvers marked CENTENNIAL, one way or the other, seem to be a rare find in the USA and nearly impossible to find in Europe. Which would make them interesting collector’s pieces in their own right.

ENDNOTES:

…… compiled from the notes of Dr. James H. Davis as recounted to Wolf Niederastroth at FROCS and used with permission from Wolf Niederastroth .

Armi San Paolo, DGG and Euroarms

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:17:25 GMT

The Armi San Paolo, DGG and Euroarms Connection

The origin of Armi San Paolo can actually be be traced back to 1957 when two young Americans asked Luciano Amadi to reproduce the original 1851 Colt Navy revolver. Val Forgett, Sr., a businessman in the firearms field, and William B. Edwards, the technical editor of Guns magazine, were in Europe as part of an American gun tour, and in search of a manufacturer for black powder reproductions and replicas. At that time, Luciano Amadi was employed at Beretta, and assisted a group of Indonesian military officers who resided in Gardone VT, Italy, for three years to follow up a commitment of 55,000 M1 Garands for their government. He was also one of the few people at the plant who could speak English at the time. During dinner with Forgett and Edwards while in Gardone, plans were made to go ahead with the project.

It took Mr. Amadi many months to import an original Colt 1851 Navy, and even more time to find an Italian manufacturer willing to accept this new manufacturing proposal. Vittorio Gregorelli, who owned a parts supply company making components for Beretta firearms in Brescia, was not licensed to manufacture guns at the time, and finally believed in the project when Mr. Amadi presented him with an initial order for 250 Colt 1851 Navy revolvers. A $500 check started the tooling process!

During this same time period, Aldo Uberti, also a previous Beretta employee, began manufacturing black powder reproductions in Gardone, next to Brescia. Uberti records indicate that the first Uberti model was returned from the Italian proof house on Oct. 14th, 1959. By 1959, the black powder reproduction and replica industry was already off to a good start in Italy, and Gregorelli was followed by Davide Pedersoli, who started producing muzzle loading replicas in 1960-1961, when Amadi presented him with a Kentucky pistol to replicate.

In the early 1960s Giacomo Grassi, Giuseppe Doninelli, along with Silvano Gazzola, (DGG) were involved in a company manufacturing small caliber semi-auto pistols called Gradoga. In 1971, when Gradoga closed, Giacomo Grassi and Giuseppe Doninelli joined Luciano Amadi (who already had a small gun trading company) to form Armi San Paolo in a small town 25 Km south of Brescia called San Paolo. Armi San Paolo grew to employ approx. 60 people, and Euroarms of America Inc. was formed in Winchester, VA, to distribute all Armi San Paolo products. In 1987, the replica market shrank, and Armi San Paolo started the move from San Paolo, Italy to Concesio, Italy with the move being completed during 1990. The revolvers they manufactured during this time period were marked with their initials, DGG.

Located in Concesio, Italy, Armi San Paolo changed its name to Euroarms Italia S.r.l. in January 2002. Euroarms Italia S.r.l. (formerly Armi San Paolo) also owned Euroarms of America and Euroarms of America was located in Winchester, VA. They sold reproductions to Dixie Gun Works, Inc. located in Union City, TN and Navy Arms Co. located in Ridgefield, NJ. Their reproductions were previously imported by Kendall International located in Paris, KY, and Muzzle Loaders, Inc. located in Burke, VA. They were available through other dealers and catalog houses.

The mark "EUROARMS" is often also struck in full on the barrel either with "BRESCIA ITALY" or "OF AMERICA", or "BRESCIA - MADE IN ITALY". In 2011, Euroarms sold all of their black powder parts and tooling to Pedersoli who in turn sold all the parts off to various dealers around the world. Today Euroarms Italia and Euroarms of America are strictly importers.

Italian Year of Proof Date Codes

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 21:53:00 GMT

Interpreting the Italian Proof Date Codes

All black powder replica revolvers coming out of Italy have to be "proof" stamped by the Italian proof house. The Italian proof houses in Gardone and Valtrompia, Italy have been around for a very long time, but as far as modern reproduction black powder arms are concerned, the proof dating begins in 1954. Prior to 1954, the year of proof was indicated in full Arabic numerals.

From 1945 to 1953, the date code was simply the year in Arabic Numerals (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953). From 1954 to 1970, the date code was written in Roman Numerals. Roman Numerals and Arabic Numerals were combined in 1971, 1972, and 1973, and Roman Numerals were used again in 1974. Since 1975 the two capital letters have been used exclusively in a combination of capital letters inscribed in a square box.

Following is a chart displaying the year of proof symbols used from 1945 to 2024. Following a new resolution of the Board of Directors of the Banco Nazionale di Prova di Gardone Valtrompia of 09 March, starting from 01 June 2020 the trademark attesting the year of test of the weapon will consist of the last two digits of the current year inscribed in a rectangle. These are traditionally found within a box next to the individual proof house symbols.

The Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives ("Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms" – commonly abbreviated as C.I.P.) is an international organization which sets standards for safety testing of firearms outside of the United States. As of 2015, its members are the national governments of 14 countries, of which 11 are European Union member states. The C.I.P. safeguards that all firearms and ammunition sold to civilian purchasers in member states are safe for the users. To achieve this, all such firearms are first proof tested at C.I.P. accredited Proof Houses.

Today, after passing testing they are then stamped with the three standard stamps on every Italian-made black powder firearm. Previous to the new resolution of the Board of Directors of the Banco Nazionale di Prova di Gardone Valtrompia of 09 March, starting from 01 June 2020, these are the three standard stamps from left to right as seen in the above photo:

Year of manufacture, Gardone V.T. black powder proof house stamping, and Gardone proof house stamping. The PN is the acronym for "polvere nera", black powder in Italian.

Collecting Colt Paterson Replica Revolvers

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 21:27:10 GMT

INTRODUCTION

The first Colt Paterson reproductions appeared in the early to mid 1960’s with the markings of MOFRA and the Double Diamond of Euromanufacture, with MOFRA di Mainardi A as the actual maker of the revolver for Euromanufacture and imported by Replica Arms. The first Pietta marked Paterson that shows up is in 1969 made for Navy Arms with the only 7 ½” barrel observed. Most all Pietta’s have 9” barrels without loading lever. The only 7 ½” barrel Paterson with a loading lever was made by Uberti. In 1971 Replica Arms was bought out by Val Forgett and Navy Arms. Uberti started making the Paterson in 1988. Some also had loading levers like the Uberti "Texas" Paterson.

The Paterson revolvers produced in the 1960’s were all without loading levers. The cylinders are square back and were available in barrel lengths of 6”, 7 ½”, 9”, and 12”. The 6” and 12” barrels are very rare. Pietta only manufactured Paterson revolvers without loading levers and in 7 ½” and 9” barrels. Pietta is now the only manufacturer of the Paterson and it is available with 9” barrel.

Uberti made the Paterson both with and without the loading lever, both in 7 ½” barrel. The Paterson without loading lever had square back cylinders. The model with loading lever had round back cylinders. The Uberti was discontinued around 2008 but some very lucky collector may still run into “old inventory” that a dealer may have. Cimarron offered the Paterson with loading lever in three finishes, antique, charcoal blue, and standard.

An Ehler and Belt Model Paterson were offered by America Remembers in a couple of Commemorative issues which are still very expensive. Colt only produced a Paterson in its 3rd Generation or Signature Series. This had a loading lever and was produced only as a Commemorative. These are very expensive and still escalating.

THE REPLICA PATERSONS

Following is a list of all of the replica Paterson revolvers that Dr. Davis and I have thus far uncovered.

1838 Paterson

1. Ehlers Model Paterson with LL - Round Back Cylinder - 3” barrel - Capping Cutout Straight Grip - America Remembers Commemorative Issue

2. Belt Model Paterson with LL - Round Back Cylinder - 5” barrel - Capping Cutout - Straight Grip

3. Paterson “Texas” Engraved In White without Loading Lever - 9” barrel - Square Back Cylinder

4. Paterson “Texas” Frame Engraved in White with Loading Lever - 9” barrel - Square Back Blued Cylinder – Inlayed Silver bands around cylinder & barrel

5. Paterson with Loading Lever - 7 ½” barrel - Round Backk Cylinder – Capping Cutout

6. Paterson “Texas” without Loading Lever - Square Back Cylinder
a. 6” barrel
b. 7 ½” barrel
c. 9” barrel
d. 12” barrel

COLT BLACKPOWDER ARMS SIGNATURE SERIES PATERSONS

In 1998, Colt Blackpowder Arms began creating a new generation of Colt Paterson models. These third-generation CBA models were produced with parts made to Iver Johnson (Lou Imperato) specifications in Italy by Uberti and shipped to the U.S. “in the white.” The guns were hand-fitted, blued and color-casehardened using Colt’s original proprietary formulas under a Colt license.

Colt Blackpowder Arms was originally established to handle the manufacturing of Colt’s second-generation blackpowder "F" Series models, but that never came to fruition, so the second-generation Colt "F" Ser ies were finished by Lou Imperato via Iver Johnson and did not include a Paterson model. The "F" Series are considered products of Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, while the third-generation guns, which introduced the 1842 Paterson No. 5 Holster Model, are regarded as Colt Blackpowder Arms products. They’re still Colts in name only, but Colt Blackpowder Arms was not working directly with Colt as it had for the second generation. The noteworthy difference is that second-generation models can be lettered by the Colt factory, while third-generation models cannot. In terms of construction, there are slight differences in the bluing, silver plating and the use of Samuel Colt’s signature on the backstraps of third-generation models to quickly differentiate them from the second generation.

The third-generation CBA Paterson—considered the first Colt-branded Paterson in 150 years—was introduced in 1998 as a deluxe model (above). It was an 1842 Paterson No. 5 Holster Model with a 7 1/2" barrel and loading lever assembly. Features include Colt Royal Blue finish and deluxe hand engraved period style scroll work with punch dot background on both sides of the barrel lug, frame and recoil shield. Additional engraving coverage is found on the top of the loading lever, on top of hammer and along the length of the backstrap. Single flush inlaid gold bands encircle the breech end of the barrel and the front of the recoil shield while two flush inlaid gold barrel bands encircle the muzzle end of the barrel and cylinder. The design copied the original engraved No. 5 models. These were always made in very limited editions and selling for $4,500 at the time of production.

It wasn’t until 2002, the final year of third-generation CBA production, that a standard blued No. 5 Holster Model was introduced, with a retail price of $1,200. This was an 1842 Paterson No. 5 Holster Model standard production model without engraving or gold inlays. This revolver has a full blue finish with a 7 1/2" banel and loading assembly. The "Sam Colt" signature is not engraved on the backstrap of this model. The barrel address reads from breech to muzzle "Patent Arms Mfo. Co. Paterson. N. J. Colts Pt." None of this, however, would have happened if legendary Italian arms-maker Aldo Uberti had not begun producing No. 5 Holster Model reproductions in 1988.

For Colt Blackpowder Arms, the end of production came in 2002, with the final run of Colt percussion models and the blued No. 5 Holster Models. Uberti discontinued the Patersons in 2008 after 20 years of Paterson manufacturing. Additionally, Beretta purchased Uberti after Aldo’s passing. But it wasn’t quite over yet.

COMMEMORATIVES

With virtually the entire catalog of historic Colt percussion models available by the 1980s, Aldo Uberti ventured further back in time to add the first circa-1842 Paterson No. 5 Holster Model in 1988, some 30 years after building his first Colt Navy reproduction. This Paterson was initially a blued gun with the standard 7-inch barrel and roll-engraved cylinder. The guns were of the first No. 5 design without a loading lever. Uberti then followed Colt and added a second variation with a loading lever to duplicate the original designs. These were the same parts that would eventually be used to build the third-generation Colt Blackpowder Arms Paterson models, all three versions of the America Remembers Patersons and a handful of additional special limited editions for America Remembers, the U.S. Historical Society and the American Historical Foundation.

America Remembers purchased the very last Patersons in the Colt Blackpowder Arms inventory in 2002 and put them in storage for a future project that would become the most ambitious and rarest Paterson reproduction series ever done. After five years in development by America Remembers, Dennis Adler began working with gunsmith and engraver Conrad Anderson to put a limited edition of just 20 original-style Paterson cased sets into production in 2011. Each hand-engraved gun came with a rare 4-5/8-inch barrel as well as a scarcer 12-inch barrel.

Technically, only the No. 5 Holster Model, in both variations—the first without a loading lever and the second with a loading lever—has been reproduced. I say “technically” because between 2001 and 2008, America Remembers and Dennis Adler teamed up with master gunsmith Robert L. Millington to produce a limited edition of the Ehlers Belt Model No. 2 Paterson and Improved Belt Model No. 2 by reverse-engineering Uberti’s No. 5 reproductions to create a .36-caliber Pocket Model with a 3½-inch barrel. Each gun was handcrafted and only 100 were made with charcoal-blued, antique-blued or aged-gray finishes. Each came with a walnut presentation box, a small Paterson powder flask, a single-cavity bullet mold and a combination tool. This marked the first of three significant breaks with traditional Paterson reproductions that would be created for America Remembers. The second version was a hand-engraved Ehlers model with carved ivory grips, a 5-inch barrel, Colt bluing and Turnbull casehardening.

These limited models varied in terms of availability, engraving and finish options. Among the rarest is the cased Samuel Colt Texas Paterson from the U.S. Historical Society and the Samuel Colt Heritage Museum of Fine Firearms. This handsome, hand-engraved pistol, with its blued finish, fine engraving, color-casehardened bottom frame plate and silver inlaid details, was limited to 1,000 examples.

Today, the only Paterson reproduction made is the Texas Paterson with the 9-inch barrel (favored by Texas Rangers in the 1840s), and manufactured in Italy by Pietta. It differs from those Uberti and CBA produced, but it’s as close as anyone making them today will likely ever come. Even reproductions can be very collectible!

References:

The notes of Dr. Jim Davis, RPRCA

Guns of the Old West Magazine, October 14, 2019 , "Finding Colt Paterson Reproductions Is Just as Hard as Finding Originals", Dennis Adler

The "McCulloch" Colt

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 23:35:40 GMT

The "McCulloch" Colt Replica

A rare replica from Western Arms, the “McCulloch Colt” was built by Uberti in 1979. Back in 1979, Western Arms had Uberti reproduced this authentic copy of a unique and colorful Colt from a rare original. It became known as the McCulloch Colt.

In early 1861, after Texas had seceded from the Union and federal troops were no longer guarding the Lone Star State, the citizens realized that they would have to defend themselves against marauding Indians along their vast frontier. Veteran Indian fighter and Texas Ranger Ben McCulloch went directly to his longtime personal friend Samuel Colt to order their new 1860 "Cavalry" revolvers with the full-fluted cylinders, to arm his Texas Rangers.

An order for 2,000 guns was placed with Colt and although Texas was officially a Confederate State, the company accepted the order, knowing that delivery would be difficult. Eventually two shipments totaling 1,000 revolvers, with full-fluted cylinders, were able to run past the Union blockade and delivered the Colt’s to New Orleans where they were loaded on wagons and freighted to Texas. The guns saw action with the Texas Rangers and McCulloch’s troops at the set of the Civil War.

This original "McCulloch" Colt is from the Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson. Mr. Donaldson did not note in his papers where he uncovered this gun, but a Colt Factory Letter (below) indeed lists it shipped to New Orleans April 9, 1861 to Kittredge. The cylinder is mis-matched from SN 2537, but no doubt a factory letter would most likely identify it as a Ben McCulloch gun also. PROVENANCE: The Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson.

When it comes to the 1860 Colt Army revolver with the full fluted cylinder, many associate the "McCulloch Colt" with that full fluted cylinder. What is often forgotten about is that it was Gen. Wade Hampton of South Carolina that made the suggestion to Colt for the full fluted cylinder.

The full fluted cylinder suggested by Wade Hampton was produced first, before the McCulloch Colt revolvers were produced. So the Colt 1860 Army revolver initially began production with a fully fluted cylinder design. This design, as suggested by Wade Hampton, who later became a Confederate general, was an early variation, with approximately the first 4,000 to 6,500 revolvers featuring this design.

The fluted cylinder was a weight-saving attempt, but was quickly abandoned due to several factors. The weight reduction was only moderate and the additional manufacturing expense was not justified, especially once wartime production began. And the main concern was about the strength of the thinned cylinder, with some reports of explosions of those first produced.

After the initial production run with the full fluted cylinders, Colt switched to the more common non-fluted or "rebated" cylinders depicting the 1843 Battle of Campeche. It's probably worth noting that while the fluted cylinder variation was short-lived, it is now highly sought after by collectors due to its rarity. There were only only about 4,000 to 6,500 of the full fluted cylinder models manufactured in the early 1860s.

Only one previous importer of the full fluted cylinder recognized the fact that it was Gen. Wade Hampton who came up with the idea of the full flutes. That importer was Centennial Arms, the originator of the well known Centennial "1960" (1860) New Model Army revolver built by F.A.U.L. of Belgium.

Having lived in Hampton, SC for 14 years, I became well acquainted with Gen. Wade Hampton and his attempt to defend Columbia, SC during Sherman's March through the South. Our high school was named after the General and we were the Wade Hampton High School Red Devils! So I have a soft spot in my heart for the full fluted "Wade Hampton" 1860 Colt Army revolver!

The .44 Caliber Old Model Navy Revolver

dmnorton@capandballrevolvers.com (Roy L. Oak) — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 23:10:59 GMT

The Revolver Said to Have Never Existed!

Historically, Colt did not mass-produce the 1851 Navy revolver in .44 caliber. The original Colt 1851 Navy revolver was exclusively manufactured in .36 caliber, designed as a lighter and more portable alternative to the larger .44 caliber Dragoon revolvers. The smaller caliber made it suitable for belt holsters, unlike the heavier Dragoon models that required saddle holsters.

However, there is evidence suggesting the existence of experimental or transitional prototypes of the 1851 Navy revolver chambered in .44 caliber. These prototypes were likely created during Colt's experimentation with rebated frames and enlarged cylinders, leading to the development of the New Model Army (1860 Army) revolver. One such prototype, described as a .44 caliber "Old Model Navy" with a rebated frame and fluted cylinder, was reportedly part of the Colt factory collection and later found in private collections like the Phillips collection at the Woolaroc Museum.

These experimental revolvers were not part of standard production and are considered extremely rare and unique examples. They reflect Colt's efforts to adapt the Navy frame to accommodate a larger caliber before fully transitioning to the 1860 Army design.

Today, replicas of the 1851 Navy revolver are often produced in .44 caliber for modern shooters, and these are historically accurate representations of the .44 caliber Old Model Nay prototypes.

We do not know who at Colt came up with the idea of rebating the OMN (Old Model 1851 Navy) frame and increasing the forward portion of the cylinder or when the innovation was made, but it was apparently in mid to late 1859. The Colt factory collection once held at least one revolver that best reflected the transition from the OMN to the NMA (New Model 1860 Army). This revolver is believed to be one listed in an inventory of the Colt Museum collection as either ''1 Navy pistol fluted cylinder enlarged bore 'with lever & link for ramrod'' or ''1 old model Navy with fluted cylinder, round barrel, enlarged bore." There is also one other possibility for the two listings and that would be the NMA (New Model Army) with the OMN serial numbered frame. None the less, both are chambered in .44 caliber.

One existing revolver that fits both of these brief descriptions is now in the Phillips collection at the Woolaroc Museum. This pistol is unmarked and unnumbered. It is essentially a .44 caliber OMN with a rebated, fluted cylinder and a rounded OMN barrel that has metal added to the lug to project it further toward the muzzle, as seen above. This added metal encloses a little more of the rammer than does the lug on the .36 caliber OMN. This may have been done to provide more support to the enlarged rammer and allow a larger loading cut for the .44 caliber bullet. The cylinder is somewhat longer than on the OMN, and tl1e barrel's forcing cone (the breech end of the barrel), was shortened enough to at least partially accommodate the longer cylinder. The arbor was also made a little longer than on the OMN.

The total number of these revolvers is believed to be extremely limited, likely numbering in the single digits. But they did exist even though not in production. So one really cannot say "Colt never made an 1851 Navy in .44 caliber, even though they were prototypes.

 References:

Pate, Charles W., The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver . Andrew Mowbray Inc., 2017, 2021, PP. 65-68

Schneider & Glassick - The "Accidental " Replica Revolver

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 22:24:45 GMT

The replica Schneider & Glassick has presented some very interesting insights into both the manufacturers and the distributors of replica revolvers. Dr. James Davis and I had never seen an ad for a “Schneider & Glassick” replica revolver except for the High Standard commemorative issues of Confederate revolvers. I have seen consistent ads for 1851 Navy brass frame revolvers with smooth cylinders. Blue Book only lists Uberti as a manufacturer starting in their 8th Edition, 1987-88. There you will find an “Augusta Confederate” revolver described as:

“.36cal. percussion, 7 ½ in. octagonal barrel, color casehardened hammer and trigger, all brass frame, engraved cylinder.”

However, there is no such thing as an Augusta Confederate made revolver with a brass frame, much less one with an engraved cylinder.

Dr. Davis started using the nomenclature of “Schneider & Glassick” over fifteen years ago because the Colt style 1851 Navy with a brass frame and a plain, un-engraved cylinder is basically what a Schneider & Glassick revolver was. So, if none of the manufacturers and importers ever sold replica Schneider & Glassick revolvers as such, how did they come into existence? To decipher this it is necessary to look at what was actually happening back in the beginning of the replica revolver industry.

One of the ways that the manufacturers were able to reproduce the different replica revolvers was to acquire an original to copy in detail. Most importers who were anxious to enter this market did not know that much about the originals themselves so would simply “borrow” an original revolver, send it to the manufacturer, and that is the revolver that was copied. This was done for nearly every model replica that has been manufactured. The manufacturers would cut corners in the manufacturing process in order to simplify procedures or deliberately to be able to distinguish the replica from an original. These manufacturers subcontracted other shops for various parts and sometimes for completed revolvers. They were no different than automobile manufacturers who subcontract to various other manufacturers for the various parts on their automobiles. As a result we find many replicas being marketed as something that it isn’t.

We have to r emember that the whole replica industry was targeted for the shooters, not collectors. As this market became more and more competitive, manufacturers would produce whatever any importer wanted. In the early 1960’s the Colt 1851 Navy type revolver was the most popular and more parts were available from most small shops in the Brescia Provence area of Italy. The same frame could be used for more than one different model of a revolver. Navy Arms used the same frame for the 1851 Navy, 1851 Navy Sheriff, Leech & Rigdon, and Leech & Rigdon Sheriff. Their Griswold & Gunnison “Reb” (Fig. 3) had the same frame but in brass, a Dragoon style barrel, and an un-engraved cylinder. If an octagon barrel is used rather than a Dragoon style barrel a Griswold & Gunnison replica becomes Schneider & Glassick (Fig. 4) replica.

Even though these revolvers were extremely cheap by today’s standards, shooters were looking for even cheaper “deals”. EIG Cutlery was the first importer of a historically accurate Schneider & Glassick replica, even though it was not intended to be a Schneider & Glassick. It was sold as an “1851 Navy with a brass frame”. Saul Eig was the founder of this company, thus EIG as an importer name. EIG Cutlery imported goods from several different countries and is best known for the knives they had produced. The early EIG revolvers bear the manufacturer’s logo GLB, which is the logo of Giacosa Luciano. They also imported a nice, fully engraved model as well.

The earliest date of manufacture is around 1963. RPRCA had two Schneider & Glassick replicas with this date code. One is fully engraved and the other is plain. EIG became involved in a law suit and they closed up shop, selling all replica revolver inventories to FIE, also of Florida . Thus this “GLB” manufacturer’s logo began to dissappear from the revolvers and FIE began to import revolvers made by "PR", Esterina Riva around 1971. RPRCA had one such FIE specimen. This occurred in the early 1970’s. These are rare.

So, if the importers did not specifically order Schneider & Glassick replicas why do these revolvers exist. Very simply, the plain cylinder saved a step in manufacturing and saved a buck in cost. The Schneider & Glassick replicas accidentally came into existence. The un-engraved, plain cylinders used on the Griswold & Gunnison replicas were also combined with an octagon barrel and we have a Schneider & Glassick replica.

All other bra ss frame 1851 Navy type revolvers with the engraved Colt’s Ormsby Naval Engagement Scene are just that, 1851 Navy models with a brass frame. Other inaccurate variations of the Schneider & Glassick replicas are those in .44cal. both with plain and engraved rebated cylinders. Again, this was to meet the desires of the main market, the shooters. For my purposes I use the nomenclatures of Model 1851 Navy Brass for .36cal. and Model 1851 Army Brass for .44cal. The Model 1851 Army Brass has a rebated Cylinder.

Probably another reason that the Schneider & Glassick was not targeted for replica production is its extreme rarity. According to firearms historians and researchers there are only three original revolvers that have been uncovered and one of these has a steel frame rather than brass. Another source claimed six revolvers being discovered but with some reservations as to their originality. Other researchers do not even count the Schneider & Glassick as a legitimate Confederate manufactured revolver used in the Civil War. I leave this to the historians since my interest is in the replica production of this revolver. However, the rarity of this revolver is the reason it was not produced as a Schneider & Glassick specifically. There was no “original” revolver available to copy.

It is the collectors that find an interest in these “accidental” replica revolvers. These were produced as a “cheap”, brass frame 1851 Navy for the shooters. A few manufacturers did not engrave the cylinder simply to cut cost. Most collectors and shooters are familiar with the plain cylinder being correct on the Griswold & Gunnison since this was the first Confederate revolver reproduced by Gregorelli & Uberti for Navy Arms. Since engraved cylinders were being produced for the 1851 Navy many of these cylinders were put on the Griswold & Gunnison simply to fill an order making it historically inaccurate. This was also done using an octagon barrel making an inaccurate Schneider & Glassick replica.

There is one other manufacturer who produced a S chneider & Glassick revolver. Rigarmi produced four revolvers that bear the barrel markings:

- ADDRESS BILL EDUARDS AFTON VA US AMERICA -

From a letter Dr. Davis received from William Edwards dated August 24, 2002, he states:

"In the 1970s I obtained from Rino Galesi and from Luciano Amadi, Navys and Remingtons. These were roll marked ADDRESS BILL EDUARDS AFTON VA U S AMERICA in emulation of Colt's markings as I consider that I was the spiritual in not the generic descendant of Sam Colt"

There were several replica revolvers supplied to Bill in an attempt to persuade him to use Rigarmi as a future supplier of revolvers. Revolvers so far uncovered are a Remington New Model Army, an 1960 Army, a Model 1851 Navy Brass with engraved cylinder, and a Schneider & Glassick. Of course at that time the plain cylinder was an example of a cost cutting step in production. All four of these revolvers are currently in the RPRCA collection. All were obtained on auctions on Gun Broker and Auction Arms. The three obtained on Auction Arms were posted by Sarco, Inc. Bill had presented these three revolvers to Charlie Steen, President of Sarco, Inc. four decades ago.

Fake Schneider & Glassick Revolvers

The Schneider & Glassick replica is a target for counterfeiters for several reasons. First, original revolvers are so rare that there are few that can be studied and compared in order to spot a fake revolver. Counterfeiting original revolvers was one of the greatest fears of collectors with the advent of the replica industry. Colt collectors were the strongest in opposing the production of replica revolvers. This paranoia was so great on the part of a group of these collectors that the National Rifle Association was bullied into refusing any advertising for these revolvers. The counterfeiting of Colt revolvers did not materialize because of the abundance of research material and original guns that were available for study and make comparisons. There were very talented machinist and gunsmiths in the late 1940’s and 1950’s that were producing Paterson and large frame Colt fakes on a one at a time basis, usual on special order by collectors who wanted to fill a vacant spot in their collection. A few of these were so good that they even fooled the Colt experts.

This is not the case with the Italian made Colt replicas. Deliberate changes have been made by manufacturers on their replicas to specifically make them identifiable from an original. One example of this is the absence of cylinder pins on the first Gregorelli & Uberti Colt 1851 Navy replicas. Other changes such as screw threads, grip shape, etc. was incorporated into the replica revolvers in order to make them readily identifiable from the originals.

The Confederate revolvers, however, are a different story. First is the limited number of these revolvers that were produced. Second is the manufacturing methods used in the construction of these revolvers which make them almost individually “one of a kind” firearms. They were hand fitted and assembled so parts from one may not work on another. This makes it easy for a counterfeiter because there are no solid comparisons that can be made between an original and an altered replica. Third, many of the original revolvers did not even have a manufacturer’s name stamped on the revolver. If there was it may not always be in the same location, fonts may differ, and serial numbers may not exist.

This makes the Schneider & Glassick an excellent choice for the counterfeiter. With supposedly only two of the brass frame versions in existence there is little to compare with. A knowledgeable replica collector may be a better judge in helping identify a fake because they are more familiar with the differ ent manufacturers of the replicas, the markings on the gun, proof marks, serial numbers, etc. In examining a possible fake these marks would have to be removed. This is going to leave dips in the metal, reduction in size of certain parts, barrel twist, etc.

Dr. Davis had won two rev olvers on a Kull Old Town Station Auction that were advertised as Fakes but that had previously passed for, and were sold on another auction several years earlier, as originals. They were discovered to be counterfeit and were being re-auctioned as such. One that he won was a Schneider & Glassick, serial #2. The font for the “Schneider & Glassick Memphis Tenn” markings on the barrel was correct, the aging appeared accurate, and overall appearance was good. The give away was the location of the deep scratches and dips on the frame and top of barrel. These were in locations where other markings of the replica would have been. They were removed and deep scratches were in these locations to disguise where metal had been removed. On the barrel there was small difference in size where the Schneider & Glassick markings were stamped and the rest of the barrel. There were other indications as well.

The most interesting part of this story is that only one week before this auction, Jason Schubert, Curator of the J. M. Davis Gun Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma called Dr. Davis concerning three revolvers that someone had brought into the museum for evaluation and possible display. One of these revolvers was a Schneider & Glassick. The possibility of uncovering another unknown Schneider & Glassick created a sense of excitement that only another collector can understand. First impulse was that it was an original. The Font used for the name stamp on top of the barrel was accurate and the general wear looked good. It was even missing the wood grips, which added to a sense of originality. Serial number was #4.

After several minutes of fondling, examining, and brain storming some suspensions developed. The other two revolvers brought in with the Schneider & Glassick were a Single Action revolver and a Whitney. There was a letter with the Single Action claiming some historical connection. This was quickly determined to be a fake that could have been produced by anyone. The Whitney was also easily identified as a fake because of the sights. With these two revolvers obviously identified as fakes more attention was then directed toward the Schneider & Glassick. They were able to identify where the proof marks had been removed on the right side of the frame. There was a dip on top of the barrel where a previous marking was removed before stamping the Schneider & Glassick marking. The “house of cards” quickly collapsed and it was determined to be a fake.

The markings on the barrel wer e still a puzzle. They were very accurate. Dr. Davis was fortunate in that Virginia Edwards entrusted him with all existing research notes left by her late husband, William B. Edwards. Dr. Davis found in these notes a paragraph concerning a fake Schneider & Glassick that he had examined many years ago. It was discovered that a correct Die for the “SCHENIDER & GLASSICK MEMPHIS TENN” markings had been produced and used on the fake. That Die is still out there, location unknown.

When Dr. Davis received the Schneider & Glassick it turned out to be a clone of the one that he had examined at the J. M. Davis Gun Museum two weeks prior. Jason and Dr. Davis made a close examination side by side comparison. Everything was almost identical. The serial numbers were #2 on his and #4 on the museum example. The two original brass Schneider & Glassick revolvers bear the serial #6 & #23. The third original Schneider & Glassick with the steel frame is #12M. It appears that both of these Fake Schneider & Glassick revolvers may have been done by the same person. If a little more care had been taken by the counterfeiter, they could have passed as originals and would require more drastic tests of materials and parts to authenticate them.

Without o riginal specimens of the original revolvers and lack of historical documentation it becomes very difficult to authenticate originality. In the case of these Schneider & Glassick revolvers a well informed replica historian becomes a possible source for making an evaluation. The Confederate made revolvers have become a prime target for counterfeiting because of this, and because the collector interest is increasing rapidly causing prices to appreciate dramatically.

Bibliography

Edwards, William B. Civil War Guns. Harrisburg , PA : The Stackpole Company. 1962

Edwards, William B. “Unpublished research Notes for Civil War Guns and other publications” Afton , VA

Albaugh, William A. III and Simmons, Edward N. Confederate Arms. Harrisburg , PA : The Stackpole Company. 1957

Albaugh, William A. III , Benet, Hugh and Simmons, Edward N. Confederate Handguns. Philadelphia , PA : Riling and Lentz. 1963

Gary, William A. Confederate Revolvers. Prescott , AZ : K8 Communications. 1987

Flayderm an, Norm. Flayderman’ Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values. Northfield , ILL : DBI Books. 1998

Fjestad, S. P., Blue Book of Gun Values 8th Edition. Minneapolis , MN : Investment Rarities. 1987

Replica Percussion Revolver Collector’s Association. “Confederate Models”

Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association. "Schneider & Glassick - The "Accidental " Replica Revolver"

Makers and Importers of Replica Revolvers

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 23:24:26 GMT

Who Made and Who Imported My Replica Revolver?

When buying used revolvers........it is always a good idea to KNOW the manufacturer of any used revolver. Not only is quality of manufacture important, but obtaining parts is probably an even bigger factor. Action parts do wear out from time to time and it is important to know who made the revolver in order to secure the proper parts. Pietta and Uberti are usually no problem when it comes to obtaining parts, but revolvers that were made in the 50's through the 90's, and even into the 2,000’s, can be very difficult to get parts for IF the manufacturer is no longer around. Some older manufacturers were purchased by other manufacturers, and some parts can still be available, while others just dissolved away.

One such case in point is a manufacturer such as COM. Known as COM GARDONE VT., COM was Contrini Officine Meccaniche di Contrini Giovanni, operated by Contrini Giovanni and assembled guns whose parts came from an association of Italian manufacturers. They jointly produced parts for revolvers assembled for the European and International market in the 70's and 80's when the demand for replica revolvers was great enough to require a large production of products. These products were called products of low game, that is, low priced products of fair quality. This approach allowed many revolvers to be manufactured very quickly in different, smaller workshops with the parts of each weapon assembled under a single brand, which was the shop of Contrini Giovanni. This did not identify the original manufacturers of the parts so as not to damage their reputation.

Securing replacement parts for these revolvers is near impossible due to the fact that it is not known which shop produced which revolver or even the parts. The quality may have been decent, but not being able to get parts creates an issue that is difficult to overcome....unless one is skilled enough to modify current available parts to work in the revolver.

There are still many COM revolvers out there today, as I come across them from time to time in the groups on Facebook, on GunBroker and other auction sites. Many times, in Facebook Groups, it is due to someone looking for parts! COM revolvers can be identified by the maker's mark, in the photo above, typically on the barrel underneath the loading lever.

COM is only one example of the dozens of different gun makers from Italy, Spain and Germany that are no longer in business. And several that are still in business no longer produce reproduction black powder revolvers and have not for some time. Here is a list of previous manufacturers of reproduction revolvers that are no longer in business or no longer produce reproduction revolvers. It is by no means all inclusive, but does include those manufacturers that one needs to think twice about before purchasing one of their marked revolvers due to the lack of replacement parts. For assistance in identifying the various manufacturer stamps on your revolver(s), refer to the photo gallery of maker marks, importer marks and distributor marks at this link:

MANUFACTURERS/MAKERS:

AMR - A. Marcos Relea

Armi San Marco

Armi San Paolo - GDG

Armi Sport (now Chiappa)

Bondini (Paolo Bondini)

Centaure-FAUL

Colt Mfg.

Colt Blackpowder Arms

COM

Domilelli and Grassi

Dominelli Grassi and Gazzola

Euroarms
FAGS - Fabrica Armi Gradoga Successore
FARA
GAMI - (Pietta contracted with GAMI for parts prior to Pietta going to CNC machining in 1985.

GLB
Gregorelli and Uberti

Hege-Uberti
High Standard (Imported Uberti parts and assembled revolvers in the United States.)

L.A. Jensen

Mavi

MOFRA

Palmetto

Pedersoli

Pietta

Rigarmi

Santa Barbara
Ubertii
Witloe

Most of these previous manufacturers are now out of business and procuring parts is near impossible. Often times parts from Pietta or Uberti may be modified to fit and Lodgewood Mfg. in Janesville, WI can make certain parts for some of these, especially the Centaure. S & S Firearms may carry a few of these parts and Peter Dyson and Son Ltd of Huddersfield, England has a fairly extensive collection of Euroarms Rogers & Spenser parts as does Saguaro-Arms in Poland.

Beyond the scope of the manufacturers of replica revolvers, there were and are almost as many importers and/or distributors of the replica revolvers. These importers/distributors did not manufacture any revolvers, but their company stamp/logo may appear on the revolvers as a point of law. It is necessary to decifer the various importer/distributor stamps on the revolvers along with the maker stamps.

Here is a list of previous and some current importers/distributors of reproduction revolvers that are or may no longer be in business or no longer import reproduction revolvers. It is by no means all inclusive, but does include those that may assist in identifying who imported or made a replica revolver.

IMPORTERS/DISTRIBUTORS:

Allen F.A.

Centennial Arms

CVA (Connecticut Valley Arms)

EIG

EMF (Early Modern Firearms)

Excam

FIE (Firearms Import & Export)

Hawes Firearms Co.

High Standard (Imported and assembled)

Hy-Score Arms Corp.

Iver Johnson Arms

Liberty Arms

Lyman

Navy Arms

RG-Pioneer Arms

Replica Arms

Richland Arms

Sile Distributors

SMLS (Southwest Muzzleloaders)

Taylor's & Co.

Traditions

Western Arms

Westerner's Arms

There are several of these manufacturers and importers whose revolvers are highly collectable and those will be revolvers that one may only want to collect and never shoot, so parts may not be an issue if you find any of these rare revolvers. Those would include:

L.A. Jensen
Witloe
High Standard
Gregorelli & Uberti
Euroarms Rogers & Spenser
Santa Barbara

Western Arms Tucker & Sherrard

SWML Dance Brothers Commemorative

For assistance in identifying the various manufacturer/importer/distributor stamps on your revolver(s), refer to the photo gallery of maker marks, importer marks and distributor marks at this link: Makers and Importers.

Colt Broadsheets with Loading Data for Original Revolvers

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 22:15:18 GMT

Loading Data for Colt Original Revolvers

For decades Colt's ads have been used as the data for loading the Colt reproductions without realizing that these ads were printed at different times for different revolvers. The most often used ad was printed prior to the 1860 New Army revolver production and were for the "Old Army Model Holster Pistol" which was the Dragoon, the 1851 Navy, the 1855 Roots and the prior Pocket revolvers. And the London Colt Pamphlet also gives loading directions, etc. for the Dragoon, the Root, Navy and Pocket Pistols.

On Page 1 of the London Colt broadsheet we see actual load sizes given in drach'm, the British unit of volume. The maximum loads given are:

Cavalry or Holster Pistol....... 1.5 drach'm or about 40 grains
Navy or Belt Pistol......................7/8 drach'm or about 24 grains
Pocket Pistol..................................5/8 drach'm or about 17 grains.

Colt also states that it will be safe to use all the powder the chambers will hold, leaving room for the ball, which is a minie ball, and not a round ball as most of us use, while at the same time, giving exact powder loads per model.

These broadsheets were printed between 1851 and 1855 based on the dates given in the text. Notice the one printed in January of 1855 as is indicated on the pamphlet's second page. These broadsheets are from "A History of the Colt Revolver" by by Chartles T. Haven & Frank A. Belden published in 1940.

Resources:

"A History of the Colt Revolver" by by Chartles T. Haven & Frank A. Belden published in 1940.

High Standard Manufacturing Corp., Inc. Commemoratives

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:31:15 GMT

High Standard Manufacturing Corp., Inc. Commemoratives

High Standard Firearms company was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1926 as a supplier to the numerous firearms companies in the Connecticut Valley. It was based in New Haven from 1932-1945, at which time it was relocated to suburban Hamden, CT, where it continued to manufacture firearms from 1946 through 1977, at which time it moved to East Hartford, CT, from 1977-1984.

High standard made four different commemoratives while based in Hamden, CT. The Leech and Rigdon with its steel frame, smooth cylinder and round barrel; the Griswold and Gunnison with its brass frame, smooth cylinder and round barrel, the Schneider and Glassick with its brass frame, smooth cylinder and octagonal barrel, and the Bicentennial Commemorative model, which was a Leech and Rigdon with nickel plated frame, cylinder and barrel, and Liberty Bell engraving. The Bicentennial Commemorative could be had in a pine case with powder flask & silver dollar sized medallion or in a leatherette case with a Bicentennial belt buckle. The Griswold & Gunnison came as just the revolver or in a pine presentation case with a belt plate depicting the Georgia state seal. The Leech & Rigdon came as just the revolver, or in a commemorative gun case with a Civil War belt buckle replica. The Schneider & Glassick only came in a presentation case with a reproduction of the D guard Bowie.

These guns were a series of .36 caliber Cap and ball revolvers which began production in 1974 and ran through 1976 and retailed from $145 for the Standard revolvers and $425 to to around $450 for the Bicentennial Commemoratives, based on accouterments . They are reproductions of the Confederate Brevetes of the Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver. Note most Confederate copies of the Colt had round barrels, not the octagonal barrel found on the Colt.

The frames of these High Standard revolvers were made by High Standard and the balance of the parts were made by Uberti. The guns were assembled and finished by High Standard. High Standard made about 2000 cased sets and possibly as many as 2000 individual revolvers. Some of the High Standard models will have "HIGH STANDARD HAMDEN, CT U.S.A." stamped on the frame. Some will only have the "Confederate" name. The finish and serial number location is unique to High Standard and are easily identified as High Standard made revolvers.

It is not known exactly how many of each Commemorative cased sets were originally manufactured. Known published sources give only approximate totals by pattern, not an exact breakdown for each individual cased set configuration. Figures below reflect the best available estimates from replica‑collector literature and forums, and should be treated as approximate rather than archival factory numbers.

Overall production context:

High Standard produced about 2,000 total cased sets across all its Confederate‑pattern percussion commemoratives, plus up to roughly 2,000 additional uncased revolvers.

Model‑by‑model cased set estimates

There is no published factory table that breaks the 2,000 cased sets down model‑by‑model; what follows is the consensus pattern from collector commentary and auction frequency.

Leech & Rigdon cased sets

Offered as revolver in pine case with powder flask and a Confederate‑style belt buckle.

Collectors generally agree that “around a thousand of each” pattern (Leech & Rigdon, Griswold & Gunnison, Schneider & Glassick) were made in all forms (cased and uncased combined), but without a surviving factory ledger this is still an informed estimate.

Most writers who attempt a breakdown assume Leech & Rigdon was the most common cased set; a reasonable working estimate in the literature is on the order of 700–800 cased guns, with the balance of that “around 1,000” being sold uncased.

Griswold & Gunnison cased sets

Offered as: brass‑frame revolver in pine case with Georgia‑seal belt plate and flask.

Generally considered scarcer than the Leech & Rigdon sets but still not rare; collector estimates tend to cluster roughly in the mid‑hundreds, perhaps 400–600 cased examples, the rest sold as loose guns.

Schneider & Glassick cased sets

Offered only as a presentation set with octagon‑barrel brass‑frame revolver and D‑guard Bowie in a fitted case.

Because all Schneider & Glassick examples were sold cased, most authors treat nearly the entire production (often described as “around a thousand”) as cased sets, though some suggest a somewhat smaller run on the order of a few hundred.

American Bicentennial / “Arms of the Confederacy” Bicentennial sets

Nickel‑finished Leech‑pattern gun in a Bicentennial‑marked case, with medallion or buckle depending on version.

Surviving documentation for this specific variant is thinner; most modern value guides simply fold its production into the same overall ~2,000 cased‑set figure rather than giving a discrete quantity.

High Standard Manufacturin g Corp., Inc. moved several times throughout Connecticut until it closed its doors in 1984. In the spring of 1993, High Standard of Houston, Texas, a separate company, acquired the company assets and trademarks, as well as the .22 target pistols that High Standard Mfg. had also made. These original assets were transferred from Connecticut to Houston, Texas in July 1993. The first shipments of Houston manufactured pistols began in March 1994. High Standard of Houston, Texas also acquired AMT-AutoMag* and had “affiliated itself with Interarms and US Cartridge”. That company produced a number of pistols of AMT and prior High Standard models, 1911 model pistols, as well as AR- and AK-pattern rifles. The AK rifles are branded as Interarms. In 2018, High Standard of Houston, Texas went bankrupt and has closed its doors permanently.

The 3rd Generation Colt Blackpowder Arms Signature Series

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 23:20:51 GMT

At the end of the Colt contract with Lou Imperato to assemble the 2nd Generation Colts, Lou Imperato was already working on a new contract with Colt to produce a 3rd Generation Series. It seems Lou Imperato considered the possibility of having Uberti make the completely finished revolvers. So a series of sixteen revolvers of different models were made by Uberti for Imperato with all the necessary Colt markings. Each revolver carried a license "permission" letter from Colt to indicate that Colt Manufacturing had given their permission for these revolvers to carry the Colt markings via a special license agreement. The finish was a 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 a contract between Iver Johnson, then owned by Imperato, and Colt dated July, 1985. These sixteen revolvers are highly collectable today.

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 later from Armi San Marco, as we have found out, in Italy. These revolvers were marketed by John J. Jovino and Co. of New York (owned by Lou Imperato), but 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 only 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 via Iver Johnson (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."

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 Colt Blackpowder Arms went out of business in 2002. Most were barrels that had been marked with the Colt Address by ASM since these parts were completely finished parts for the revolvers assembled at Colt Blackpowder Arms. There is also evidence that some frames may have also been used by Armi San Marco since revolvers have been found with the Colt's Patent on the frame and the barrel address on the barrel lug flats of some 1847 Colt Walker replicas that do not fall within the serial number range of the revolvers assembled by Colt Black Powder Arms. Rather than eat these parts, ASM put them on their own revolvers that they were exporting to the U.S. So one had a well finished Armi San Marco revolver with the official Colt address on the barrel and "San Marco" on the frame where the "Colt's Patent" is usually found or the Colt's Patent on the frame. These are extremely collectable and are already bringing some high dollars from replica revolver collectors. Eventually, U.S. Customs put a stop to these imports when Colt filed a complaint, but prior to the filing of the complaint by Colt, some revolvers got through customs, but the number of revolvers that arrived in the U.S. is not known.

It is these 3rd Generation Signature Series revolvers, 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 or Colt made. Yes, the 3rd Generation Series parts were completely Italian made and then assembled at the Iver Johnson factory by Colt Blackpowder Arms Company of Brooklyn NY.

Most Col t collector’s accept the 2nd Gen revolvers as real Colt's and consider these very collectable. A number of collectors, however, do not accept the 3rd Generation revolvers as Colts and thus the difference in value. The demand for 2nd Generation "C" Series and "F" Series revolvers is by both Colt collectors and replica percussion revolver collectors, whereas, the demand for 3rd Generation revolvers is by the replica percussion revolver collectors and generally ignored by Colt collectors. I might add the demand for these Colts by shooters also play a big part. Since these 2nd & 3rd Generation 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 usually be be discounted by 50%.

Reference :

~the notes of Dr. James Davis

Russell, Dennis. “Yes - They Are Real Colt's.” Percussion Colt Revolvers The Second Generation Collector's Handbook & Price Guide #6, by Dennis Russell, Jared Press, 2013, pp. 12–14.)

Collecting Replica Percussion Revolvers

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 22:35:41 GMT

Collecting Replica Percussion Revolvers

Since the advent of the reproduction of Black Powder Revolvers in the late 1950’s, the interest in these guns as collectable has increased greatly. The reintroduction of the official Colt Black Powder Revolvers further increased this interest, especially among already established Colt collectors. There were many manufacturers of these "replica" revolvers, which opens a whole new area of collecting.

Originally replica black powder revolvers were manufactured for the shooting public because of the increasing value of original guns, even those in poor condition. It became prohibitive to continue shooting old original guns from the standpoint of both value and safety. Thus, the manufacture of the modern production replica black powder revolver came into being. As with any collectable item the situation which makes it collectable is an interest in the item and limited availability. Value escalates as a result of an increasing number of collectors, which represents a demand, and a limited supply. Long time firearms collectors can remember the weapons of World War II and their dramatic appreciation. At the end of WWII the German Luger could be purchased for $10 and up. With the publishing of Harry E. Jones' book, "Luger Variations", the interest escalated very rapidly. The results of this interest can be seen in the value of Lugers today. The same was true of the Colt 1911-M1911A1 and it’s variations, and the German P-38 pistol.

There are several reasons why the replica black powder revolver is gaining popularity as a collectable item. First, there were several manufacturers, which made various models of these pistols. Second, there were several importers who marked their guns as their product (Navy Arms, Dixie Gun Works, Replica Arms, EMF, etc.). These guns, for the most part, are no longer marked as such which creates even another variation. Third, the numbers of these guns are dwindling because of attrition from shooting, destruction, etc. The supply is shrinking as the demand increases. Fourth, at this time it is financially feasible to collect these guns because their price is low in comparison to original revolvers of the time period. A person could build a sizeable collection with a modest investment. Fifth, at present there are no restrictions on the sale of black powder revolvers and this will hopefully remain so.

As with any new collectable it starts with a few who do the research as to what is available and organize these items into a collection. With the replica black powder revolver there is very little information. A lot of the manufacturers are gone, along with their records. The same is true of the importers who marked their guns. When enough information is acquired as to what the variations are, and a logical way to organize a collection, then the interest in these guns will increase dramatically, along with their value. Dr. James Davis had listed the few publications he found of great use back then. A great many of these are no longer in print but can be obtained over the internet from sources such as Amazon, Half.com, eBay, AbeBooks and other used book outlets. Some of these have become extremely expensive, but by shopping around they can sometimes be found at reasonable prices.

As with most collectors of these percussion revolvers Doc Davis explored the Colt models first. He even was able to get in touch with Lou Imperato of Colt Black Powder Arms. He was very cordial and they had several conversations. He informed Dr. Davis that someone else was already researching a book dealing with the 2nd & 3rd Generation Colts. Dr. Davis had never been a believer of “re-inventing the wheel”, so he concentrated his efforts on the other replicas that had been produced and were also in current production.

The Colt book being researched, of course, was Dennis Russell’s book, “Percussion Colt Revolvers – The Second Generation – Collector’s Handbook & Price Guide”. Dennis has continually revised this book and the last edition I have is #6. It is laid out in a format that makes it easy to find information about specific questions that arise. It is the only source of information about the accessories, special editions, display cases, and even the packaging the revolvers originally came in and their values. Dennis publishes this book himself so it is only available from him direct. Ordering information is available at the Endnotes Section of this document.

“Collecting Modern Colt Blackpowder Revolvers” by Eric Deaton is a second text on collecting the Colt 2nd & 3rd Generation Blackpowder revovlers. With hundreds of color pictures (several in full scale) this nearly 300 page book shows you how to tell them apart, how they work, what is rare and how they were packaged. With chapters on collecting, comparisons, packaging and accessories you will learn how to tell the best revolvers from the run of the mill ones. Deaton's book is available from eBay at https://www.ebay.com/itm/284088354994

An absolute ‘must’ book is William B. Edwards’, “Civil War Guns”. This book has an excellent history of the beginning of the replica percussion revolver industry for which Bill Edwards was responsible for bringing into existence. Chapter 35, “The Rage Over Replicas”, covers first hand this history. Where Val Forgett was the “Father” of the replica revolvers’ distribution, William B. Edwards was the “Creator” of this Industry.

Flayderman’s book, “Guide to American Antique Firearms”, is also an excellent source of information about the original revolvers that the replicas have copied. It has excellent coverage in easy to list format the different variations of, not only the Colts, but the Remington’s, Roger & Spencer, Starr, Whitney, etc., as well as the Confederate models. This is an annual publication and easy to find. Any edition will suffice.

Blue Book publishes, “Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Arms”, edited by John Allen, every two years. This book covers long guns as well as the revolvers. Even though the price guide and the coverage of the percussion revolvers are not complete, the book is also a “must” for the picture coverage. This started with Dennis Adler’s book, “Colt Blackpowder Reproductions & Replicas – A Collectors & Shooters Guide”. Good coverage of the special edition and commemorative issues with excellent pictures. This is out of print but available on Amazon. It is interesting that this book went up as high as $100+ when it went out of print. If replica revolvers are not collectable then why would a book dealing with them suddenly become “collectable”? Since the publication of the revised edition the prices of the paperback 1st edition have dropped to a reasonable level.

"Black Powder Revolvers - Reproductions & Replicas" by Alder is actually a reprint of Adler's first book, “Colt Blackpowder Reproductions & Replicas – A Collectors & Shooters Guide” with the addition of information about the percussion revolver conversions to cartridge. It is very good for its photography and Colt info, but, like the other edition, it does not cover the other, most produced replica percussion revolvers.

If you are interested in the Colt modern production revolvers then the only two books you will need is really Dennis Russell's book, "Percussion Colt Revolvers-The Second Generation-Collector's Handbook & Price Guide". Eric Deaton has also written a text on the same Colt Blackpowder Revolvers covering the 2nd Generation Colts with excellent photos of the various editions.

All the back issues of “Gun Digest”, “Guns Illustrated”, “Shooter’s Bible”, and the Black Powder Annuals are excellent sources of information of the development of the different models and distributors involved with the industry. It was Guns Digest where Dr. Davis first discovered the Witloe Remington New Model Army revolvers. The RPRCA library had all of these publications back to 1955.

Any and all catalogs produced by the various manufacturers and distributor are a valuable source of information. And much of this information is readily available on the internet in PDF format, many of which are available on the Cap and Ball Revolvers web site..

There are many other publications that at too numerous to list at this time that are also useful to the replica revolver collector. The bibliography of the book that Dr. Davis had been working on will contain many more of these references. Dr. Davis was nearing the completion of his book, "Replica Percussion Revolvers - A Collectors Guide", which had been in research for over 25 years. Unfortunately it had not been completed at the time of his passing in the fall of 2019 and most of Dr. Davis' notes for this book were lost several years ago in a flood.

Of the note sthat have survived, many articles have been written for the Cap and Ball Revolvers web site that cover most of the collectable replica revolvers. To get a good idea of those collectables out there, just browse through the articles in the Blog of the web site at https://www.capandballrevolvers.com/ARTICLES

ENDNOTES –

~ from the notes of Dr. James Davis

~ The 6th edition of Percussion Colt Revolvers – The Second Generation – Collector’s Handbook & Price Guide is available for immediate delivery. The price is $39.95 plus $7.50 for shipping and handling charges to the lower 48 states (slightly higher shipping charges for Alaska, Hawaii and other parts of the world). If you are located in the lower 48, just send your $47.45 check or USPS Money Order to the address below. If you are located elsewhere, please provide your address and I will be happy to quote you the shipping charges for that location. IMPORTANT: All checks or USPS Money Orders must be made payable to Dennis Russell.

Dennis Russell
c/o Jared Press, LLC
3162 Johnson Ferry Road
Suite 260 – 607
Marietta, Georgia 30062

The shipping method quoted above is USPS Media Mail. If you prefer a faster method of shipping, upon request, he will be pleased to provide a quote for that service.

The Birth of the Reproduction Percussion Revolver Industry and Navy Arms

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:06:07 GMT

The Birth of the Reproduction Percussion Revolver Industry and Navy Arms

At the beginning there was William B. Edwards. William B. “Bill” Edwards, was the Technical Editor of Guns Magazine, and had visited W. Stokes Kirk, a large clothing, goods and surplus military dealer out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded by William Stokes Kirk, who started his career with the renowned Bannerman's, and taken over by his son, William Stokes Kirk, Jr., upon the father's death in 1925. It was sometime in the late 1940's or very early 1950's that Bill Edwards visited W. Stokes Kirk. While there he purchased enough of the Civil War surplus spare revolver parts for an Colt M1851 Navy revolver to assemble a "mint condition" '51 Colt Navy Revolver.

According to Dennis Russell, author of "Percussion Colt Revolvers - The Second Generation", the parts for the Colt M1851 Navy revolver that Bill Edwards built came from the W. Stokes Kirk inventory of “Low Number Mismatched” parts that were remnants of the parts purchased from Colts Mfg. After the introduction of the Colt Peacemaker in 1873, Colt sold its inventory of martial Colt Navy 1851 parts to various surplus dealers. In the 1940s, the surplus house of W. Stokes Kirk of Philadelphia assembled and numbered 120 of these “Stokes Kirk” Colt 1851 Navies. Colt manufactured over 130,000 Fourth Model 1851s. Many are still in existence. There were only 120 Stokes Kirk's Navy revolvers.

The Colt M1851 Navy revolver that Bill Edwards assembled form those same parts has a cylinder that is numbered 83 and has 100% of the Ormsby roll engraved naval battle scene remaining. All six safety pins and nipples remain virtually untouched. Additionally, the cylinder has a faint index line and carries military inspector marks K and J on opposing shoulders and L on the face between two chambers near the cylinder pin hole. The small round trigger guard and the backstrap are numbered 82 - with the backstrap numeral 2 being slightly damaged. The loading lever is numbered 1715. The only detraction to this revolver is the fact that the hammer will not lock up in the final notch. This revolver has become known as #82 from the serial number on the trigger guard and backstrap.

An old theory at one time known as the "1 of 100 Test Gun" theory had these Stokes Kirk assembled revolvers being those that Colt had assembled to prove to the Navy that all the parts were interchangeable, but Nathan Swayze has seemingly disproved this theory and the examples of similar W. Stokes Kirk "Low Number Mismatch" Colt 1851 Navy revolvers can be found in the following firearms reference books:

'51 Colt Navies by Nathan L. Swayze• Page 93, Plata 52.
Book of Colt Firearms by Robert Q. Sutherland & R. L. Wilson. page 131, Plate D

How It All Began

It was nearly a decade later, that this #82 "spare parts revolver" gave Edwards an idea. With the Centennial of the Civil War coming up in 1961, Edwards envisioned having replica '51 Navy Revolvers made in Europe for sale in the U.S. The rest is history!

After the Guns Magazine tour left Brescia, that original spare parts '51 Navy Revolver that Bill Edwards had assembled was literally smuggled into Italy by a U.S. Army officer and delivered to Louie Amadi to serve as the model to copy. Mr. Amadi found a small company in Brescia that was willing to tool up to produce the replica revolver and another stage in history is set.

Initially, Bill Edwards had secured an original Colt 1851 Navy revolver from a collector in France that was secretly delivered to an arms dealer in England to be sent to Brescia to use as the pattern for the reproductions, But due to existing gun laws in Italy at the time, the revolver could not be imported into Italy. So Bill Edwards had his model pistol #82 taken into Italy via Germany by a military major stationed in Italy and it was delivered to Gregorelli to begin the manufacture of the prototypes of the M1851 Colt Navy reproductions.

To make a long story short, Val Forgett, upon returning to the States, founded Navy Arms as a subsidiary of Service Armament to distribute those replica '51 Navy Revolvers in the U.S. and the replica industry was born and became a very large part of the U.S. and Italian gun industry. But the unknown "Hero" of the replica arms story is Louie Amadi, an Italian that had the foresight to become a co-founder of the replica firearms industry. Without Mr. Amadi's efforts, the replica arms industry would have never gotten off the ground.

https://gunsmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/G0358.pdf

In the history of Navy Arms, that small company in Brescia that Louie Amadi found that was willing to tool up to produce those first replica revolvers was known as Gregorelli and Uberti. The revolvers are stamped with “GU” that stands for Gregorelli and Uberti. Gregorelli made the steel parts and Uberti assembled the revolvers. When Aldo Uberti first started into the replica manufacturing business, he did not have a manufacturers license at the time so he had to partner with Grego relli who was licensed to manufacture.

The “GU” marked Gregorelli & Uberti replicas have become very collectable due to their being among the very first replicas to be made, starting in 1959, and to their scarcity, as the production was still handmade in those days. On the 1851 Navy, the first revolver to be marketed, the “GU” will be found extending into the 5000 serial number range. The highest number in the Jim Davis collection was 5080. The “GU” can also be found on the first Griswold & Gunnison, Leech & Rigdon, Remington New Model Army and New Model Navy.

On the Griswold & Gunnison and Leech & Rigdon the “GU” appears on the right side of the barrel flat the same as on the 1851 Navy. NAVY ARMS is on top of the barrel and on left side of frame. Our Leech & Rigdon #6546 does not have the NAVY ARMS on the left side of the frame but only on the top of the barrel.

Dennis Russell, author of “Percussion Colt Revolvers, The Second Generation Collector’s Handbook” obtained first hand information when he was able to go through some of Navy Arms original records that Navy Arms had available extra barrels in the early 1960's. Actually, Gregorelli & Uberti was somewhat of a separate company in the beginning because Gregorelli had the manufacturer's license and Uberti did not. They split in about 1962-63 and Uberti formed his own company when he received a manufacturer’s license. The Leech & Rigdon in the set Dr, Jim Davis got from Joe Salter has a date code for 1965 and a 6000 range serial number, way past the split up of Gregorelli & Uberti. According to records whatever parts that were left over from the original replicas were used on Uberti’s guns. From all the revolvers seen only one continuous string of serial numbers was used for all their model guns rather than a separate serial number range for each model. This can also be observed in the sixteen prototypes 1851 Navy and Griswold & Gunnison that were produced.

I posted an article by Dennis Russell to the Group Files of the Cap & Ball Revolvers, Pistols & Rifles Facebook Group and to this blog that might be of interest. It is entitled, “The Gun That Started It All”. It relates the history of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver with Serial #82, from William Edwards assembling the gun at the Colt factory to it being smuggled into Italy for Gregorelli & Uberti to make the prototypes. Dennis Russell now owns this #82 revolver and Dr. Jim Davis had the Prototype number 1 in his collection. that revolver is now in the collection of Chad Fisher.
In his research Dr. Jim Davis added Gregorelli & Uberti as a separate company that evolved into Uberti. This means the “GU” initialed and “Gregorelli & Uberti” marked revolvers are truly the first mass produced replica revolvers with Centennial Arms made in Belgium coming in a very close second (matter of months), both of these being the results of William B. Edwards efforts. Leonard Allen with the Replica Arms Co. El Paso, TX being the third out of the gate in 1962-63 with the 1847 Walker and other big frame revolvers as well as the Baby Dragoons and Pocket Model .31cal. revolvers. Interestingly, EIG is the first accurate replica of a Schneider & Glassick brass frame 1851 Navy type. This appeared in 1963-64. These had the GB logo on the butt which is still a mystery to me.

Even though I have tried to give some type of history of the beginnings of the reproduction revolver market, I still find new and interesting information around every corner my research takes me. All I can say at this point is, “The more I learn the less I know”.

~ compiled from the n otes of Dr. James H Davis, Bill Edwards, and Roy L. Oak.

Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder Reproduction Revolvers - A Consice History

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 22:18:13 GMT

A Concise History of the Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder Reproduction Revolvers

To this day, there is still much confusion as to the manufacture of the Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder Reproductions, known as the “Authentic Colt Black Powder Series” made by Colt’s Manufacturing and the 3rd Generation Black Powder Reproductions known as the “Signature Series”, marketed by Colt Black Powder Arms Co. It can be rather confusing, since there were actually three separate productions of the Colt Blackpowder Reproductions that were made. Hopefully, this article may help clear up some of the confusion.

The start of the 2nd Generation Colt Revolvers actually began in 1956. The Colt Single Action Army (SAA), adopted by the military in 1873, had become one of the most iconic firearms in U.S. history. Production of the Colt SAA began in 1873 and did not cease until about 1940, at the outbreak of WWII. But the gun did see some action in World War II, being carried at times by such notables as Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Gen. George S. Patton.

When the SAA production ended, the machinery that made these formidable revolvers was stored in a corner of the Colt plant. But after WWII and the Korean War, in 1956, Colt pulled that machinery out of the corner of the plant and began making the SAA again. With serial numbers ending in SA, we had the birth of the Colt "2nd Generation" SAA.

In 1971, due to the success of the SAA "2nd Generation", Colt was persuaded to re-introduce its Percussion Colt Revolvers again, making use of the machinery that had made certain parts of the SAA. And the 2nd Generation "C" Series was born.

The production of the Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder reproductions took place in three stages. Initially, Colt Industries tested the waters with Val Forgett's help to build their first "C" Series 1851 Navy reproductions in the 1971-1973 time frame, which had included the now very collectible Grant and Lee Navy sets. These revolvers had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps rough cast in Italy, but were finished off at Colt's facilities in Hartford, CT. where Forgett had the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs made and built for every "C" Series gun at Colt Manufacturing. Each 2nd Generation part was meticulously tracked and quality inspected at the Colt factory. However, in late 1973, Colt Manufacturing Co. decided to seek a new supplier of components, and Lou Imperato, Colt's largest distributor at the time, was chosen to take over production.

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.) assu mes 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.

Further Evidence:

A Colt's Firearms "Summary of Operations" document explains how each percussion revolver was built. This 120 page factory manual was originally dated October 19, 1970 and shows various revisions and approvals up to January 15, 1973. It begins with a minutely detailed outline of how rough parts were to be uncrated and kept in groups of fifty after their arrival at Colt's Connecticut factory. It goes on to describe the logging in process, application of serial numbers on specified parts, stamping of "Colt's Patent" on the frame, roll marking the barrel address and roll engraving the cylinder scene. Then it proceeds step by step through the process of how each part or assembly should be filed, fitted, rough polished, match polished, blend chamfered, finish polished, color case hardened, blued, silver plated and assembled. It even names what piece of Colt's machinery or equipment to use for each manufacturing step. Further, it describes how walnut grips were serial numbered inside the backstrap inlet with an indelible pencil and then sanded, cleaned, stained, sealed an coated with a clear lacquer that was supplied by Haines Laboratories, Inc. in Chicopee Falls, MA.

Rough castings and semi-worked parts were acquired from both American and Italian subcontractors as well as through in-house fabrication. They were then processed according to Colt's directives in the same manner as described in the above. Colt Firearms Engineering Specification# CS1030 gave detailed requirements for safety, performance, appearance and function of black powder revolvers. This document was continually revised with upgraded standards throughout the "C" Series and "F" Series production time frame.

While touring the Colt factory in 1992, Dennis Russell had the opportunity to visit with an elderly worker in the case hardening furnace room at Colt's. Having noticed unfinished pieces of a Colt 1847 Walker revolver attached to the wall, he was inspired to inquire about Colt's participation in the finishing process of their 2nd Generation percussion revolvers. The elderly worker confirmed that, years earlier, he personally had been involved with the case hardening of Colt percussion gun parts. In addition, a recently discovered archive of Iver Johnson files confirms the fact that "F" Series frames, loading lever assemblies, and hammers were regularly shipped for case hardening from Iver Johnson's Middlesex factory to Colt's manufacturing facilities in Connecticut. This archive also demonstrates how each 2nd Genertion part was meticulously tracked and quality inspected. If the part was substandard, it was either returned for rework or discarded. A review of this information on the production of Colt Second Generation Percussion Revolvers indicates that it is clearly a Colt.

For further study, there are two excellent books written on the subject of the Colt Black Powder 2md Generation Series. Dennis Russell’s book, “Percussion Colt Revolvers – The Second Generation – Collector’s Handbook & Price Guide” and Eric Deaton's book “Collecting Modern Colt Blackpowder Revolvers” .

Dennis has continually revised his book and the last edition I have is #6. It is laid out in a format that makes it easy to find information about specific questions that arise. It is the only source of information about the accessories, special editions, display cases, and even the packaging the revolvers originally came in and their values. Dennis publishes this book himself so it is only available from him direct. Ordering information is available at the Endnotes Section of this document.

Eric Deaton's book is a second text on collecting the Colt 2nd & 3rd Generation Blackpowder revovlers. With hundreds of color pictures (several in full scale) this nearly 300 page book shows you how to tell them apart, how they work, what is rare and how they were packaged. With chapters on collecting, comparisons, packaging and accessories you will learn how to tell the best revolvers from the run of the mill ones. Deaton's book is available from eBay at https://www.ebay.com/itm/284088354994

Endnotes:

“A History of Colt Black Powder Reproductions” by Dennis Adler

“Ninth Edition Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Arms” by John B. Allen and S.P. Fjestad with introductions to Colt’s Manufacturing Company and Colt’s Black Powder Arms Co. by Dennis Russell. The author and publisher wish to thank Mr. Dennis Russell for his valuable assistance updating the previous information from the section of the Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Arms.

Russell, Dennis. “Yes - They Are Real Colt's.” Percussion Colt Revolvers The Second Generation Collector's Handbook & Price Guide #6, by Dennis Russell, Jared Press, 2013, pp. 12–14.)

“COLT An American Legend” by C.R. Wilson.

Russell, Dennis. Percussion Colt Revolvers The Second Generation Collector’s Handbook & Price Guide #6. Jared Press, LLC, 2013.

~ The 6th edition of Percussion Colt Revolvers – The Second Generation – Collector’s Handbook & Price Guide is available for immediate delivery. The price is $39.95 plus $7.50 for shipping and handling charges to the lower 48 states (slightly higher shipping charges for Alaska, Hawaii and other parts of the world). If you are located in the lower 48, just send your $47.45 check or USPS Money Order to the address below. If you are located elsewhere, please provide your address and I will be happy to quote you the shipping charges for that location. IMPORTANT: All checks or USPS Money Orders must be made payable to Dennis Russell.

Dennis Russell
c/o Jared Press, LLC
3162 Johnson Ferry Road
Suite 260 – 607
Marietta, Georgia 30062

The shipping method quoted above is USPS Media Mail. If you prefer a faster method of shipping, upon request, he will be pleased to provide a quote for that service.

REPLICA PERCUSSION REVOLVER COLLECTORS BLOG

COLT PERCUSSION REVOLVERS - 1851/1860/1861/1862 Frame & Water Table Comparisons

Introduction

Individual Model Specifications

Water Table Anatomy

Loading Lever Variations

Frame Lineage & Derivation

Colt's manufacturing philosophy used minimal additional machining — primarily the water table step cut — to adapt proven frame patterns for new calibers, allowing rapid model development from existing tooling

Master Comparison Table

Technical Notes & Researcher Annotations

Frame Interchangeability

The Step Cut — Engineering Logic

1862 Pocket Navy vs. Pocket Police

Cylinder Rebate Geometry (1860 Army)

Replica Maker Deviations

Wedge & Arbor Compatibility

Sources:

The MOFRA Made Colt Paterson Replicas

MOFRA‑Made Colt Paterson Replica Details

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Confederate "Brass" Frame Revolver Metallurgy

A Technical Analysis of Alloy Composition

The Quality of Replica Revolvers

Replica Revolver Manufacturer Quality

Repairing a Loose Arbor on a Colt Open Top Replica Revolver

Steps in Repairing a Colt Open Top Replica Loose Arbor

The Finishing of Original Colt Revolver Grips: 1836-1873

The Finishing of Original Colt Revolver Grips from 1836 to 1873

Introduction

Tuning Up a New Replica Colt Open Top Revolver

Optimizing the Performance of a New Colt Open Top Revolver

The Gun That Started It All

The Gun That Started It All

Photo journal of “The Gun That Started It All”

E. N. Santa Barbara 1858 Remington New Army

Empresa Natcional Santa Barbara of Industrias Militares SA ﻿

Wedge Adjustment and Function for Colt Black Powder Revolvers

Proper Wedge Adjustment for Colt Open Top Revolvers

Historical Evidence for the Use of Multiple Cylinders in Percussion Revolvers

Historical Use of Spare Cylinders

Reaming Percussion Revolver Cylinder Chamber Throats

An important part in revolver accuracy.

Classic Arms International Inc.

A Brief History of Classic Arms

Colt and Chamfering Cylinder Chamber Mouths on Replica Revolvers

Chamfering Cylinder Chamber Mouths on Replica Revolvers.

Metal Fatigue in Replica Revolvers

Metal Fatigue in Replica Revolvers

Historical Use of Wads in Percussion Revolvers

The Historical Use of Wads in Percussion Revolvers

The Brooklyn Bridge 1849 Colt Pocket Brevete Revolver

The Brooklyn Bridge 1849 Colt Pocket Brevete Revolver

Collecting the .31 Caliber Replica Revolvers

Collecting the .31 Caliber Replica Revolvers

Brass Frame Replica Revolvers

In Praise of Brass Frame Replica Revolvers

The MOFRA, Euromanufacture, Palmetto Connection

The MOFRA, Euromanufacture, Palmetto Connection

The Cimarron Firearms Co. Story

The Cimarron F. A., Co. Story

EIG and Firearms Import & Export Corp (FIE)

The EIG and FIE Connection

Replica Arms, Navy Arms and Cimarron Firearms Connection

The Replica Arms, Navy Arms and Cimarron Firearms Connection

American Manufacturers of Replica Revolvers

American Manufacturers of Replica Revolvers

Collecting the 1960 (1860) New Model Army Centaure

Collecting the 1960 (1860) Centennial Arms New Model Army Centaure

Key Points

Collecting Replica Confederate Percussion Revolvers

Collecting Replica Confederate Percussion Revolvers

“1 of 100 Test Guns”

“Stokes Kirk” parts and the percussion reproduction revolver industry!

The J.H. Dance & Bros. Confederate Commemorative Revolver

Collecting the J. H. Dance Replica Revolvers

Identifying Black Powder Replica Revolver Manufacturers

Identifying Black Powder Replica Revolver Manufacturers

Witloe Precision, Inc., An American Company

Collecting Witloe Precision Replicas

Empresa Natcional Santa Barbara of Industrias Militares SA