One Piece Conversion Cylinders?

Choctaw Thom · June 15, 2009, 08:31:11 PM

Does anyone know of any companies of gunsmiths that makes the one piece converison cylinders? I know R&D and Kirst makes the two piece but I would like to find or have made a set of one piece drop on cylinders. I'm sure the hammer will need to be modified. Basically I'm looking for the original Rollin White conversion like the one in the picture. Thanks guys for any help!

Pomona Pete · June 15, 2009, 08:41:21 PM

Choctaw:

I have two Remingtons that have been converted with a one piece cylinder. They don'n even have the plate in the rear, a round plug was placed in the rear for a recoil area for the primer and a firing pin was added to the hammer. They would remind you of the was a "long cylinder" Colt was converted.

Pete

Choctaw Thom · June 15, 2009, 08:53:28 PM

Who did the conversions for you? I've been shooting Vaquaro's with SASS and I'm wanting to shoot my 1858's in some matches. I like the idea of having only a one piece cylinder to change out instead of fumbling with two pieces. I know it was a movie but Clint Eastwood made it look pretty slick in Pale Rider.

Thanks,

Choctaw

Pomona Pete · June 15, 2009, 09:09:35 PM

Choctaw:

Actually, I made them. I am a machinist and saw one of these conversions in a book so I decided to make a couple. It was by far the easiest conversion I have ever done (and they function better far better than a Colt). I have a CNC milling machine so they weren't hard to make at all. If you have a machiinist around I would be glad to supply dims and pictures and you can have some made.

Pete

WaddWatsonEllis · June 15, 2009, 11:02:09 PM

I have been looking for just such a conversion .... the club that I shoot with has a 'pocket pistol' category ... has to be .32 to .38 with a max barrel length of 3 & 1/2 inches.

I always end up borrowing a weapon to fire in it. Usually it is a lemon squeezer or Iver Johnson or Harrington and Richardson top break.

But one member has a converted 'Baby Dragoon' with a Mason-Richards style conversion to a .38 cal.

I really like the heft and the balance of the weapon ... the weight makes it feel like I am firing a .22 cal.

But the guy who lends it is also helping to run the shoot, so has never had time to explain if he got the gun like that or had to buy a black powder one, pay for a kit, and then pay to have it gunsmithed.

So any info you would have about pocket Mason-Richards style conversion pistols for sale would be greatly appreciated.

Or, alternately, Pomona Pete if you are interested in performing the conversion on a reproduction pocket pistol, let me know (You can even send me an email).

Major 2 · June 16, 2009, 04:34:34 AM

I'll have to check, but I believe Kenny Howell made the Pale Rider Remy's
I know he made all the Selleck pieces.

Kirst does not, but Strite might..and I know Millington does or did (however, he is so far backordered I doubt you'll see any)

I'd be a customer, if Pomona Pete has an FFl ,but if not he can do it legally for anyone but himself

maybe...the Smith Shop

?? Hap ? $:-\$

Choctaw Thom · June 16, 2009, 09:05:58 AM

Thanks fellas for the information. Pete if you have any pics or drawings you can send them to me. I'm a designer by trade and have some good friends that are talented machinist. My email is trivers@riversedgetaxidermy.com

I'll also check out Kenny Howell and Strite to see what they have. Kenny Howell is with R&D isn't he?

Major 2 · June 16, 2009, 02:27:58 PM

Yeah ! R&D is now Old West Conversions

Howell Old West Conversions
(608) 676-2518
5728 E County Road X, Beloit, WI 53511

Montana Slim · June 21, 2009, 09:36:13 PM

The one in the photo appears to be a rimfire conversion.
I tend to think of these as "thin plate" or "long cylinder conversions".
There is a thin plate pressed into a dovetail, cut into the frame. The hammer needs to have a longish firing pin added to reach the primer.

Regards,
Slim