Italian markings removal

[Hoof Hearted]

I know kind of a LAME title but here goes:

I chose not to remove the barrel on this 5 1/2" Pietta NMA so ya'll could see that it's really not necessary.


The previous owner had ported the frame (I don't like the fact that he ground into the grip shoulder) and bounced a carbide burr on the lower portion of the frame. So I sanded this out with the file wrapped in various grits of sandpaper.


I draw filed the markings off both sides of the barrel and the forward portion of the frame (this is where the proofs were).


I also removed the serial number (I left the grips on and filed them and the frame). All of the above pics are after sanding (1st drawfile, then sand). I have had extensive talks with Walt Kirst and read the codes and since I am making a firearm here out of a non-firearm, I have the right to do this.


Also there is a 4 digit number on the inside of the grip frame. I liked this number so I stamped it on the underneath of the barrel, in the correct position.


Here are some pics with cold blue on the pistol.



In this shot you can see my reshape of the rammer web. I spent some time looking at Police models and except for the sight I think I'll call this an "Army Police".



A couple more:



Ok, so I now need to decide which conversion cylinder I want to use and then smooth it up some, Slight reshape of the hammer and rechecker. I have already silver plated the trigger guard and aged it a bit. Then stamp conversion numbers on the barrel and cylinder and rust blue!

[Barbarosa]

Great job HH.
I like what you did.
Great pictures also.

I am in the process of modifying that Uberti 58 that I bought on Gunbroker.
The guy sent me a differant gun as listed & pictured on that site, and he won't return any replies to my emails, so I figure I'd just keep it &  would make a project out of it anyway.

Keep us posted on your developments. Nice work!

[Hoof Hearted]

Kev

Since you are keeping it and wanted a "belt pistol", why don't you shorten the barrel and install a sight like on the Police model? Then use an R&D cylinder It'll look just like one..................

[Barbarosa]

Yes, you read my mind.
I plan on shortening the barrel.
As I didn't find a .36 cal. belt pistol, at least now I'll make one in a .44 cal.
I already got it apart, and the internals look ok. Action is good also.
Hopefully I'll forget about my bad experiance on Gunbroker w/ that shady seller, and focus on this project. It may all be for the best.

I'm no gunsmith, but I'll try to take pics & post if all comes out well...   

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

Did you use a draw file like this from brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/productdetail.aspx?p=548

How long did it take for each side of barrel? Did you butt the file up with frame, and push towards the muzzel? Any polishing with a wheel needed afterwards?

[Oldelm]

HH,...thanks for posting the photos.

Looking good,...It's coming along nicely 

[John E. Ringo]

Hoof Hearted,

Did you find the steel to be soft?

[Hoof Hearted]

Did you use a draw file like this from brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/productdetail.aspx?p=548

How long did it take for each side of barrel? Did you butt the file up with frame, and push towards the muzzel? Any polishing with a wheel needed afterwards?

That would be the "CAT'S MEOW"
But it ain't necessary............

I use a medium sized "mill" file, I have 4 or 5 and just grab whichever one feels right.
And no, I don't think it's in your best interest to start close to anything. Better off working to the middle. You aren't taking much each pass and staying level is your only real concern..........then flat sand with sand paper wrapped around the file.
NO WHEELS or DRUMS or anything that isn't dead flat

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

So you cut perpendicular to the barrel? You used a metal file found at a hardware store? Any number on the file?

[Hoof Hearted]

Nope

Found it in my file drawer.............I think they are making babies in there
Not sure where I got them all (maybe at the flea market).

I told you I would help you with this project of yours............
You've spent more time asking questions then it would take to drive up here

[Hoof Hearted]

I guess you could call it beaurocracy at it's best
Just like the politically (federal) coined term "non-firearm", would be like calling a female "non-male" That term conjurs up shuddering images to me

[Hoof Hearted]

Hoof Hearted,

Did you find the steel to be soft?

John E

In my haste I missed your post, for that I apologize
I work on a lot of pistols and the relative hardness of the blued parts on thie Pietta does not differ much from a new Colt SAA or a Uberti any other clone (insert your choice here). I will tell you that it is approx twice as hard as the original NMA's and NMN's that I have worked on

[waffenmacht]

Big thanks Hoof.  I have been slowly working on de-farbing my 1858 also, and I like it more and more every day.  Much like you I used a flat file to remove all markings.  Then I refinished the grips by removing the heavy varnish, and wiping them down with a bit of walnut stain, then linseed oil. I want this one to look used, but not abused, so you guys will see the finish is wearing a bit, which I like.

[Flint]

When I shortened this one I replaced the loading lever with a latch/plug I designed.

[Willie Dixon]

those are all really great looking remingtons,  I myself can't stand having a "Made in Italy" marked all over mine either.  Good thing I read this post, I was thinking of my dremel for some of the harder stuff! oops, definitely will use it to polish them out.

I have a question though, how do you "stamp" the serial numbers and such on the gun? I'd really like to make my guns (which I will never sell) into bona-fide Remington replicas with their proper markings.  I've just never done that before so I'm wondering as to the method.

thanks

[Hoof Hearted]

Willie

To stamp numbers all you need is a set of number punches. Try a search on ebay!
But practice a while before you try it on the pistol

[Willie Dixon]

cool!
lol, i knew it would be something easy!

definitely will try on some scrap stock first.  I may be buying an 18" and making it a 10" barrel, so I could use the 18"er as a practice template for everything!

[Logan Hawke]

Here are some pics with cold blue on the pistol.

Hoof Hearted that is one SWEET smoke wagon!!!!

I have been shooting and playing with Remingtons for some time and have always been a fan of them. But now I want to do a little customizing of my own thanks to the inspiration of this fine example of yours.

Now I just need to find a used one out there somewhere to play with since I just don't have the heart to put a file on mine although I'm sure that will change before long.

[Willie Dixon]

Logan Hawke,

you could also check out Dixie Gun Works, they have kits, at a fairly great price.  Supposedly they are all dialed in, as good as a Pietta can be, just don't have a finish on them!  That way, you don't have to remove anything, just start from scratch with a clean plate.  Just an idea, after reading this, that's the route I'm going with.

[Logan Hawke]

Logan Hawke,

you could also check out Dixie Gun Works, they have kits, at a fairly great price.  Supposedly they are all dialed in, as good as a Pietta can be, just don't have a finish on them!  That way, you don't have to remove anything, just start from scratch with a clean plate.  Just an idea, after reading this, that's the route I'm going with.

Much Obliged....checking it out now.