1851 Navy Sheriff?

confederatemule · May 23, 2011, 09:46:01 AM

Noz · May 23, 2011, 11:04:37 AM

All I got from the pictures is that the gun has definitly been abused and it was made in 1976. I thought the only 44 1851s were made by Pietta but I saw no marks to indicate that.

Pettifogger · May 23, 2011, 12:35:07 PM

The trigger guard and back strap look like Pietta. The loading lever is no problem as you can take a regular one and cut it down fairly easily. The problem is, depending on what you do, the parts will cost far more than what the gun is worth. I would clean up what you have and use as many parts as possible even if they are pitted. Does the action work? If you have to replace the hammer, bolt or trigger things can get expensive as the price for parts has gone up a lot the past year. These things sold for fifty bucks back when it was new. Used in perfect shape you can frequently pick them up at gun shows for less than $100.00. I picked one up recently that was unfired for $35.00. The brass frame models simply do not bring the price of a steel frame version.

confederatemule · May 23, 2011, 01:05:09 PM

Quote from: Noz on May 23, 2011, 11:04:37 AM
All I got from the pictures is that the gun has definitly been abused and it was made in 1976. I thought the only 44 1851s were made by Pietta but I saw no marks to indicate that.

What tells you that it was manufactured in 1976?
Pietta shows a 4 7/8" barrel on one of their guns, but, it has a steel frame and an octagon barrel.

Mule

confederatemule · May 23, 2011, 01:11:42 PM

Quote from: Pettifogger on May 23, 2011, 12:35:07 PM
The trigger guard and back strap look like Pietta. The loading lever is no problem as you can take a regular one and cut it down fairly easily. The problem is, depending on what you do, the parts will cost far more than what the gun is worth. I would clean up what you have and use as many parts as possible even if they are pitted. Does the action work? If you have to replace the hammer, bolt or trigger things can get expensive as the price for parts has gone up a lot the past year. These things sold for fifty bucks back when it was new. Used in perfect shape you can frequently pick them up at gun shows for less than $100.00. I picked one up recently that was unfired for $35.00. The brass frame models simply do not bring the price of a steel frame version.

I seldom see any for sell, used, and when I do they are priced like new. I got this one at a gun show, locally, for $40.00. I had to beg to get it for that.

The action does work.

Any ideas on where to find parts, used/new?

Mule

Mako · May 23, 2011, 01:43:55 PM

Quote from: confederatemule on May 23, 2011, 01:05:09 PM
What tells you that it was manufactured in 1976?
Pietta shows a 4 7/8" barrel on one of their guns, but, it has a steel frame and an octagon barrel.

Mule

The date code "AB" tells us it is a Pietta produced in 1976.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i223/ConfederateMule/1851%20Sherifs%20Model%20BP%20Revolver/P5220021.jpg

It might be cheaper to buy a new one. This is a link to VTI which has Pietta parts.

http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=66&cat=Pietta+1851+Navy

Don't worry about the barrels showing as octagonal or partially round like yours. It doesn't matter as long as you use the older pre-creeping style of loading lever. Match the barrel lengths for the loading lever parts, everything else is 1851, except for the bore size and cylinder. Most of the parts are interchangeable.

That is a serious project gun...

~Mako

confederatemule · May 23, 2011, 02:54:38 PM

Maco, is there a chart or something showing all of that sorta information?

Thanks for the parts link and the information to go with it.

Mule

Mako · May 23, 2011, 03:42:43 PM

Quote from: confederatemule on May 23, 2011, 02:54:38 PM
Maco, is there a chart or something showing all of that sorta information?

Thanks for the parts link and the information to go with it.

Mule

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/POWDER/MBPProofmarks.pdf

This is the best one because it has the manufacturers marks, there are others as well with just the date codes.

~Mako

Drayton Calhoun · May 23, 2011, 06:18:03 PM

I had one with the full length barrel that I bought back in 1980. It would have lasted me a lot longer had I not used full power loads in the brass frame. At that time they called it the 'Model 60 Reb'.

Capt Billy · May 29, 2011, 04:46:49 PM

Kinda looks like this one, marked as "the Cap'n Billy Prototype" don't it?
Mule? It does have the most "hair" trigger I've ever run across...this one is from 74.
Cabelas HAD them for around a bill and a half...not the EXACT same, but VERY close.
(I bought 3 of them in 2010).

Capt Billy · May 29, 2011, 04:49:37 PM

Mule?
Here is where I posted my questions...got a LOT of good information!

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,37944.0.html