Beals/Kirst Conversion

[Hoof Hearted]

Here is an update on my Beals "look alike"
This is a Euroarms New Model Army that I have installed a Pietta Kirst Konvertor in 44 Colt with "ported" plate into. It has a first pattern ejector by Walt Kirst also. I hand ground the port with a Dumore and dremel sanding drum, being careful to not grind into the shoulder. This port is larger than used on original conversions.
The rammer is sorta finished.......there is not enough "meat" to completely square the sides at the web, so this is a compromise look. I may end up making one from scratch. I re-contoured the hammer again, deepening the "u" at the top in order to make the spur appear higher. Then I radiused this area. I checkered the thumb pad and hand "flattened" the back side as these hammers are left as cast from the factory now. I also forged the hammer spur upward some.

Next up is to draw file the markings off the barrel. I am waiting until I can procure a "cone" style front sight so I can fit it to the dovetail before filing. I also may recontour the frame at the sides as the contour is askew there making the gun look unbalanced. Then letter stamps for armoury acceptance/proofs.

[Bull Schmitt]

Excellent work! 

That is one fine looking revolver you have.

[Hoof Hearted]

Great job!

Are you going to antique the finish a little bit?

(I've seen that squirrel somewhere b4...??)   

My intent is to Rust Blue after I get (if I ever get) done "tweaking" all of the things I want to do. I will probably distress all of the edges then let nature take over from there. Sure wish I knew Bob Millington's secret (I have a NMA conversion of his that is antiqued") his work is awesome!

The squirrel was a little late getting his x-mas decorations "hung" so I didn't get him up until yesterday (actually your continual change of avatars motivated me).

[Oldelm]

Gary,.....that came out real nice! 

Those Kirst conversions are good for porting like that. Looks like you have a nice high front site, especially for those Euroarms frames ,..... the ones of which I've owned seemed to have shorter front sites, which I would modify by replacing with a Uberti dovetailed site.
The rust blue will look great on it. I don't know what Millington's "secret" is, but somewhere I've got some reference on what he does. Will see if I can dig it out.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Outstanding job. It really looks great. As an alternative to building a whole new rammer, what about bulding the corners up with a heliarc and then re-filing the flats?

[Hoof Hearted]

Oldelm

Boy, if you had the info on Bob's method, I'd be jazzed
All the other "antiquing" I have seen pales in comparison.

Marshal Will

I've been thinking about this rammer situation a bit since posting the pics and in order to be a Beals copy I would also have to weld up the slot for the cylinder pin wings in the frame. Then eventually roll mark the barrel correctly and on and on..........
I'm thinking I'll just stick with a moniker like, "look-alike" rather than repro since the Kirst is not period correct either. Besides it would (I have a Dial Arc) take me longer to weld, grind, weld, grind, fill pits, grind, weld, etc. Than I want to spend

Now I think I need to reshape the grips some................

I have another NMA project in mind! I'm thinking shorten the front of the frame an inch or so, set back the barrel and chop to 4.75" (maybe an 1875 round barrel with an ejector) and use a screw to hold the cylinder pin in place from the side. Kirst gated Konvertor with some reshaping.............

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

Very interesting conversion. What type of file will you use to remove the Pietta markings?

[Hoof Hearted]

SP

Had a nice conversation with you today!
We'll get together soon and I'll show you how to draw file

Don't forget to email me the info on those Kirst's. My address is on the signature line below.

Regards

[Bryan Austin]

Another nice one!!

[Buffalow Red]

so with out the gate on your back plate do you have a problem with cartreges falling out if you point it up

[Hoof Hearted]

so with out the gate on your back plate do you have a problem with cartreges falling out if you point it up

Only if you cock it real slow...............while aiming at high flying Geese

Man you guys are dredging up the oldies.................

[Hoof Hearted]

so with out the gate on your back plate do you have a problem with cartreges falling out if you point it up

Only when shooting at those High flying targets (and cocking real slow)! just kiddin'