1851, 1860, 1861 revolver comparisons

[Mark@Sea]

1851 Colt 'Navy'. .36 Caliber originally (also available as a .44 reproduction which is historically incorrect.), Octagonal Barrel (7.5"). Loading lever hinges by means of a double pin type arrangement. Note frame at front of cylinder.

1860 Colt Army. .44 Cal. 8 inch round barrel, uses the same size frame as the .36 caliber 1851 Navy revolver. Barrel assembly is relieved at the front of the cylinder. The barrel on the 1860 Army has a forcing cone that is visibly shorter than that of the 1851 Navy, allowing the Army revolver to have a longer cylinder. Loading lever is a single hinge pin with pegs.

Stocks are available to fit the 1851 and the 1860, but the pistols' frame must have the appropriate cuts and oversized screws.

1861 Colt Navy. .36 Caliber. Visually identical to the 1860 Army, for all intents the same gun, only in a smaller caliber. Shoulder stocks are NOT listed for the 1861, but the 1860 stock will fit, although I am advised some fitting is required.

Edited April 28, 2008 by Mark@Sea

[xd shooter]

Does anyone do the SS in the cap & ball. They sure are sharp. Mark I do like the rounded barrel better looks good!

[Mike.357]

I really have not seen much C&B in SS. Ruger used to make the Ruger Old Army, it was in stainless. The ROA is a total bastard gun much like the Uberti Cattleman 1873 is. And like the 1873 from Uberti, Ruger does not hide the fact that it is not an authentic BP era pistol. They are out of production but can still be found NIB as well as used. I believe the Ruger is about the best made percussion pistol ever made.

But be ready to pay top dollar for them, 400 to 500 bucks.

[Mike.357]

And as for the rifle/shoulder stock for the percussion revolver, they are an interesting curio. But be very careful to not shoot the gun "rifle" style by holding the gun ahead of the cylinder. It could get ugly and painful in a hurry.

[Mark@Sea]

Oh yeah, a chainfire with that setup could cost you some fingers. The off hand should support the firing hand, NOT any portion of the pistol forward of the cylinder.

One other minor correction - the '51 and the '61 typically have the post front sight, while the '60 has a blade.

Not aware of any stainless colts, although I have seen a nickel plated one, if you are into that sort of thing. Large money for that one, though - check Cabelas BP Pistol page.

Mike, now you got me back into this, darn you, I'm thinking about finding a .44 1860, taking 3 or 3.5 inches off the barrel, relocating the front sight and seeing what can be done to slick it up a bit. I'd like to find one of those fluted cylinders for that project... Another strange thought - putting a stocked pistol together with a 12 inch barrel, and some sort of ladder rear sight on the barrel. Franken-gun!!!

[Mike.357]

I have seen pics over on THR of and 1861 snubbed up. It was different looking. I think it had a two inch barrel, can't remember if it had a front sight.

I have not seen firsthand any BP revolver with a fluted cylinder other than my 1873.

I have seen them in pic and I like the way blued fluted cylinders look.

Once you start looking around here in the internet you can find all kinds of revolvers.

Just got to hit up the right sites.

here is a decent link for general info, it is a e-zine all about BP

http://www.blackpowderrevolver.net/index.html

oops, you will not like this at all ,LOL item 1765 and 1766 specifically, LOL

scroll through the page and you will see them

http://www.buffalobillsshootingstore.com/muzzleloaders.html

[Mark@Sea]

XD, check that second link out - fair to good price on some lightly used pistols. That ivory grip jobbie for 199 =- please buy it before I do. Really.

[xd shooter]

Mark that is a sharp peice. I will see what I can do! lol. I do like the ivory grips too, along with the fluted wheel.

[Mike.357]

Mark if you did shorten up a BP revolver you would need some sort of loading contraption for the cylinder. Even if you were able to come up with a way to shorten the loading lever I am not sure you could get proper leveredge to use it easily enough. Of course being in .36 it will be somewhat easier to load. My Remington is 5.5 inches and while I can do it with the lever a loading stand works so much easier.

But then again the cylinder comes right out of the '58. Not a deal breaker on your Colt repro I am sure but something to be aware of. I have loaded my 51 Navy's with the loading doohicky. It just takes an extra step to remove the cylinder. But then again it is just another layer of fun to be had ,LOL

[Mark@Sea]

A short, narrow pipe would work fine as a loading lever extension - now to come up with some other nifty way to use it, and I'd have a genuine contraption.

XD, I was serious. You buying that pistola? Cuz otherwise, I am. You have first dibs, though, since it is just what you are looking for I think...

[Mike.357]

A short, narrow pipe would work fine as a loading lever extension

now to come up with some other nifty way to use it

off the top of my head, maybe the narrow pipe could hold extra balls?

It could be pinched at one end to hold the balls in and have a strap or clip attached on the ball dispensing end. The dispensing end would also fit over the shortened loading lever.

[Mark@Sea]

That, or spare nipple holder - nipple wrench?

Now that one tool alone makes BP worthwhile. Heh.

[xd shooter]

Mark, I do aprciate the offer for first dibbs. The funds are not holding up this week. You go ahead on that one who knows you may want to shed it one day.lol

[Mike.357]

Mark I like the idea of a nipple wrench.

I have bought a couple of them and they do not hold up. Either they are too soft or too brittle.

[Mark@Sea]

Mike, this place in Greenville that has the black - got a phone number for them? I suddenly find myself in need of FG.

Or 2FG would work.

And some cannon fuse.

Sue is ROFL.

Thats' all I'm gonna say, but the next meet I'm home for is gonna be a hoot.

XD, called them, it sold a couple days ago. We're both outta luck - but I am gonna bookmark and keep an eye on that site. Fair prices, and if you can get a steel frame for 200, you oughta snag it.

[Mike.357]

Mark the place is called Hearthstone Guns. It is in Afton TN. 3625 Snap Ferry Rd.

Phone number is 423-638-7747

Here is a link for a map.

http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=3625%20Snapps%20Ferry%20Rd%20Afton%20TN&mag=5&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=36.210396&lon=-82.769433&mag=5&zoom=14&q1=3625%20Snapps%20Ferry%20Rd%20Afton%20TN&gid1=14978727

fg and cannon fuse? I can't wait!

Edited April 28, 2008 by Mike.357

[towerclimber37]

XD, check that second link out - fair to good price on some lightly used pistols. That ivory grip jobbie for 199 =- please buy it before I do. Really.

Ivory is fine..but if you show up with something with pearl handles, I'm gonna have to quote Patton...

Pearl handles are for women and New Orleans' Pimps!

[Mike.357]

That ivory handled gun was sweet looking.

I agree about pearl handles being ornaments on pimp guns.

[Mark@Sea]

Sue's latest is a 32 S&W - nickel w/pearl handles.

[towerclimber37]

here's Julie's latest. ugly but quite the little sewingmachine!

[xd shooter]

Mark I will be on the lookout for another deal like that. If you see another good deal & feel like passing on it please post it. WE spent a little too much on the tax free weekend.

[Mike.357]

woman can have pearl grips without them being pimp guns

[Mark@Sea]

XD, I'll keep an eye out for you.

Yeah, those pearl grips are snazzy but not quite my speed...

[Mike.357]

Mark do you know where that place is on Snap Ferry Road?

Tower I want to see Julies new gun shoot the black stuff ,LOL

[Mark@Sea]

No, Mike, but I will be on the lookout for it next time I'm there.

I am coming home this weekend, but only for the weekend.

Managed to get a couple of pounds of 3Fg Goex here in Norfolk. That should hold me a while. I'm told I got a package, so I think TNMedics' mold is at the house (thanks! TN). Bought 4 tins of CCI #11's, hope I got the right caps. 4.75 a tin, here.

Tower, I will leave that '51 out for you, you can pick it up next time you make it by the house.

No worries about something for Julie to shoot at our BP Rendezvous. How about this?