Project pistol I just picked up

[mogunner]

This one will be fun, as it seems that a PO decided to get rid of any serial number and/or manufacturer's name on it, so acquiring the needed parts might be a bit hit and miss, I figure I'll try Pietta first as it seems pretty much identical, I've spotted a couple of things different from the Uberti models. All I need is a hand/spring assembly, barrel wedge and retaining screw and I'd like to replace the base pin as well. It's labeled as a "cal .44 Navy model- made in Italy", of course we all know that the Navy's were .36's, but still something new to play with. AND I don't have to search for ammo for this one!

[ponycarman]

Nice! I just did a little research on black powder pistols and rifles the other day. Just thought it would be fun. I know absolutely nothing about them all haha. I love the patina on your revolver

[mogunner]

I just "started" getting into them with an inline .50 rifle last year, this one was cheap enough that I figured if I couldn't get the parts I need, I could part it out on ebay easy enough. I seem to always drag home the "mutts'', probably because I'm too cheap to spend much on a gun if at all possible to avoid it!

[ponycarman]

Cool, i've been looking at the inline rifles for a little while. I've got so many irons in the fire haha. Never can decide what to save for next.

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[bunkysdad]

I think you are on the right track. Dixie Gun Works might have parts. It is a cool little project.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Reenactors commonly do that with these, there are some who specialize in removing any modern markings from any BP weapon for the living history guys to use in their kits. These are not firearms under Fed law so it's legal to remove markings on them.. Nice piece, very popular with southern reenactors despite this model never having been made by the South during the war

[mogunner]

Yep, no one made a "Navy" in .44 until the repro guys did, lol.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Colt should have made it, but for once missed a trick.

[Repawn]

I have an uberti navy London in 36 cal. They are super fun to shoot. As mentioned above it looks as if a reenactor has removed bluing - it is pretty common. Dixie gun works will have all the parts - they are super easy to work on. I made felt wads for mine and purchased round balls from a guy over at cast boolits.

I have about 3000 rounds through mine only using Goex 3f powder. Most people replace the nipples at some point - I haven't had to yet. You will need a nipple wrench though in order to clean it after shooting. Clean with hot soapy water / dry thoroughly and coat with bore butter and it will last a long time.

Here is mine in the holster I made for it.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1361893471.120317.jpg

[Junk Yard Dog]

It may never have had bluing, many of this model were sold as kit guns, I bought one of the kits in the 70's, they used the brass frame .44's. The Uberti Navy is a nice model, I have one also, nice feel to it.

[Repawn]

Buying it as a kit seems better than putting it in used cat litter to "patina" it.

I wasn't aware these were sold as kits - but I was a small child in the 70s. Very cool.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I think they still sell that kit, I recall seeing them in the early 90's being sold by CVA. Used cat litter......I think not.

[mogunner]

I'm leaning towards the kit gun just based on the quality of the brass castings. I've worked on Uberti carbines and pistols and even the inside of theirs is better quality than this is on the outside. The trigger guard "halves" have a large ridge on the mold line that is almost sharp enough to cut you.

There is some pitting on the outside of the barrel but not bad, the guy I got it from said it was a 'rusted mess' when he got it and it still needs a LOT of work but for $25 I said what the heck.

Sorry guys but it's not a "collectors" piece so it'll get bead blasted and at least a light bluing on the steel, and the brass polished up.

[Repawn]

Yep - restore it and shoot it - total deal for the money. Heck an extra cylinder would cost at least 50 bucks. Post up pics when you get it done - would like to see the "after"

[Junk Yard Dog]

The rough brass casting is a kit gun hallmark, that's part of what you have to finish.

[Sgt. Rob]

Nice find! I am still tinkering with my recent 1858 Remington brasser myself. For parts you may want to try these fellas.....

Deer Creek Products (6989 E. Michigan Rd., Waldron, IN 46182, or PO Box 246, same ZIP; phone 765-525-6181)

They do not have a website, still doing things the old fasioned way by phone and catalog. If its busy keep calling, often only one fella is on the desk at a time. They are a great source for Pietta and discontinued Armi San Marco and Armi San Paolo black powder gun parts.

Or you can order parts from Dixie Gun Works. DGW parts will most likely require a bit of filing and such to make fit, as many of their spare parts are not brand specific, even when they say they are. Pateints and lots of fitting and trial will pay off in the end usually. Then again, it is possible to shoot the brassers to the point that the brass stretches beyond the ability to keep them timed. Keep your loads minimal at under 20 grains and they will last alot longer.

Good luck and let us know how she turns out!

Semper Fi, Rob

[desdem12]

Nice one. I like it.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Good thing about buying these brassers from the reenactors is 99% of the time they only shot blanks, bad thing is the works can get worn and it's been dropped 2700 times when it's owner "died" in combat.

[mogunner]

Yeah, I could tell this guy musta died a lot...

It was plain nasty inside the brass frame with carbon and grease caked in there, took a bit of elbow grease, Dawn and toothbrush action to get it all out. Polished up the main brass frame this evening, still lots of little pits in it from being knocked about but looks good, I'll let it get it's natural patina now that most of the scratches and pits are gone. Bead blasted the hammer and trigger and cold-blued them, ordered a Pietta hand/spring today from VTIgunparts, hopefully it won't take too much work to get it to fit and in time.

[Ironnewt]

Good thing about buying these brassers from the reenactors is 99% of the time they only shot blanks, bad thing is the works can get worn and it's been dropped 2700 times when it's owner "died" in combat.

That's what happened to the one I got. I replaced the nipples as you could see that they had been flattened by either "dry-firing" or excessive use.