Struck Black Gold yesterday.........

[Sgt. Rob]

In the form of an early Pietta 1858 Remington New Model Army brass frame version! Found it in the local antique store at a price that should be worth while to clean it up. Has a little cylinder over travel, that I think a little honing on the hand will fix. And has one non original replacement screw. Dirty as heck, but nothing that won't clean up. Might make a little smoke with it today, if not, then on my next weekend for sure. Being brass framed it is not a true replica, but I think it is cool none the less.

Came with the holster too.









Had to cut into the 1859 Sharps fund a little, but not a big set back, it was cheap!

Semper Fi, Rob

[Sgt. Rob]

Forgot to mention, the Italian date code of XX9 means it was made in 1973. 40 years old this year!

Semper Fi, Rob

[desdem12]

Nice. A 1858 remington copy. These are pretty fun. I can't get my remington copy to hit anything but a barn but the colt copy does real good.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Nice find Rob, Pietta makes a nice Remington, the grip is slightly larger than most making it an easier fit in the hand for me.

[Sgt. Rob]

Well I have had her out for a couple of range sessions and tuning. She is throwing one cylinder high and right. The rest will easily stay in the center of a mans chest at 20 paces. Can not figure out the one cylinder problem, it is timing alright and no misalighnment that I can detect with the cylinder/barrel. So I think I'll paint the nipple red on it and use it as the empty chamber. Started out with 28 grain charges, but started doing the best accuracy at 22grains. At 17grains the loading lever stays in place. At 20grains and above the loading lever likes to unlatch. Tried tightening it up and even shimed the spring, but I think the brass frame is flexing too much when loading above 17grains as it still liked to drop occasionally with the 20gr load during the second range session. Wyatt has had a literal blast with it and at ten paces keeps 5 shots on the silouette target. No accounting for the one cylinder however, it throws high and right for him as well. Thinking we may need to invest in a steel frame 1858 in the future. The recent 1850 Dragoon is a bit heavy for him to hold steady just yet.

Semper Fi, Rob

[desdem12]

I have a steel frame 1858 and I can't hit crap with it. I also have a 1851 colt version that is a great shooter. I like the rem copy but the colt will out shoot it every time.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I have a steel frame 1858 and I can't hit crap with it. I also have a 1851 colt version that is a great shooter. I like the rem copy but the colt will out shoot it every time.

Try a Pietta target model, it has modern sights, much easier to use.

[Ironnewt]

I have an old brass framed replica of a Colt .44. I got it from a guy who used it in CW re-enactments in the 70's. To be honest with you I don't think it's ever been fired with anything other than loose powder and a cardboard wad. If the weather holds this week end, I might get some range time.

[Celt]

Nice catch!

[bunkysdad]

I like it Rob. Sorry to be so late to the thread, I guess I am just feeling the call of black powder lately. If you ever get a chance to find a bargain on a Ruger Old Army, I hope you buy it. They are amazing, and quite accurate. JYD recommended a 1858 Remington to me a couple of years ago and it is still on my list. For some reason even the Buntline, or buffalo pistol also appeals to me!

[Junk Yard Dog]

The '58 Remington is the strongest pistol of it's era, only the Rogers & Spencer might be as strong or stronger. The top strap made the barrel and frame rigid, made swapping out cylinders much easier so long as the cylinder pin was kept lubricated.

[ponycarman]

After I get my 1851 navy and see if I like it as much as I think I will, I'm going to have to get one of these. They look super nice. Very pretty looking pistol!

[Junk Yard Dog]

James Butler " Wild Bill" Hickok was known to carry two Colt Navy revolvers stuck butt forward in a sash he wore around his middle. His were .36 , not the .44 of the Pietta models, as that is Piettas own creation, and he was deadly with them. I believe he later had them converted to cartridge fire before his death in Deadwood in '76

[ponycarman]

Not all navy models were brass framed were they? I know the one. I have coming isn't historically accurate but It will make a good start. I'm sure it won't be my last haha.

[desdem12]

The steel framed ones you can use the converter cylinder on and the brass frame ones you cant. I am not sure on the originals but I think in the civil war era the confederate made ones had brass frame and not sure on the others. I know you can get both nowadays.

[ponycarman]

Now with a conversion cylinder it is still black powder only correct?

[desdem12]

Black powder cartridges. I am not sure if you can run something like trail boss thru them or not as I don't have a conversion. I have thought about it for sure. I know JYD has some conversions. There is loads for them in black powder and some cowboy shooters use them.

[ponycarman]

So the conversion cylinders are mostly for just easy of loading and unloading. And a little to do with speed.

[desdem12]

They are not speedy at all. They are just so you can use cartridges instead of cap and ball. They have to be taken out to reload. They have a little face on the cylinder with 6 little firing pins to hit the centerfire primers on cartridges. They are kind of cool but not necessary. So you have to load the cartridges then put the face on and then load the cylinder in the pistol.

[iwuzwhatiwuz]

A gentleman on the Remington forum called Kirst and they said that the brass framed guns could use the conversion cylinder as long as the powder charge is kept under 17 grains. FWIW