Brass Framed 1851 Navy Colt in the Union Army?

Harley Starr · December 31, 2009, 10:53:49 AM

In The Outlaw Josey Wales, Capt. "Redlegs" Terrell is seen shooting an 1851 Navy that clearly has a brass frame. In the movie Glory, Matthew Broderick, in the assualt on Fort Wagner removes his Navy Colt and blows the sand out of the cylinder. Now the frame on his Navy is rather shiny. At first I thought it was nickel plated, but now I'm not so certain.
Seems to me that this might be Hollyweird's doing.

St. George · December 31, 2009, 10:56:58 AM

You're looking at a form of the 'John Ford Reference Library' - don't expect any sort of adherence towards historical accuracy.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Trailrider · December 31, 2009, 11:36:10 AM

Unless, of course, they were using a Confederate Leach & Rigdon, which was a brass framed copy of the '51 Colt's Navy! There were several other Confederate sixguns that used brass (bronze) frames. Iron was in short supply in the South, and more difficult to work with. There were quite a few church bells that got melted down and the bronze cast into frames for revolvers. The Spiller & Burr was another, actually a copy of the Whitney .36 cal. "Navy" revolver. Very few S&B's were actually made. I have a replica that will outshoot most Colt's, and keep on running when the BP fouling would tie up an original Whitney Navy after four shots!

Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year, Pards!

Major 2 · December 31, 2009, 02:53:26 PM

Quote from: Ridgway Texican Ranger on December 31, 2009, 10:53:49 AM
.... In the movie Glory, Matthew Broderick, in the assualt on Fort Wagner removes his Navy Colt and blows the sand out of the cylinder. Now the frame on his Navy is rather shiny. At first I thought it was nickel plated, but now I'm not so certain.
Seems to me that this might be Hollyweird's doing.

It's a lighting optical confusion

it a 2nd Gen. Navy
How do I know ? well, I spent 14 weeks in "89" working on the Film ...and more importantly I own the gun

River City John · December 31, 2009, 05:01:32 PM

The Leech & Rigdon was all steel to my knowledge, except the trigger guard and grip frame. At least all that I have seen come up for auction and in museums.
The Griswold & Gunnison was a brass and steel Confederate copy of the Colt Navy.

The brass-framed Remingtons used in Ride With The Devil are fantasy guns also.
RCJ

Harley Starr · December 31, 2009, 11:34:34 PM

Quote from: Major 2 on December 31, 2009, 02:53:26 PM
It's a lighting optical confusion it a 2nd Gen. Navy
How do I know ? well, I spent 14 weeks in "89" working on the Film ...and more importantly I own the gun

Well that gun has more value than I gave it credit for.

Fingers McGee · January 02, 2010, 04:28:55 PM

Quote from: River City John on December 31, 2009, 05:01:32 PM
The Leech & Rigdon was all steel to my knowledge, except the trigger guard and grip frame. At least all that I have seen come up for auction and in museums.
The Griswold & Gunnison was a brass and steel Confederate copy of the Colt Navy.

Yep. Leech & Rigdon was iron framed. Griswold & Gunnison was brass (gunmetal) framed, as were the Spiller and Burr, Shawk & McLanahan, and Cofer revolvers.

Trailrider · January 03, 2010, 05:41:25 PM

Quote from: Fingers McGee on January 02, 2010, 04:28:55 PM
Yep. Leech & Rigdon was iron framed. Griswold & Gunnison was brass (gunmetal) framed, as were the Spiller and Burr, Shawk & McLanahan, and Cofer revolvers.

Well, I didn't bother to check my books, so I stand disgusted!

Knew it had to be one o' them Reb pistolas! Happy New Year, Pards!