Colt Burgess lever rifle?

[Cal Fornia]

Wrote an article for the Cowboy Chronicle about the Burgess a couple of months ago.  Nicely made with a relatively smooth action out of the box.  Only available in .44-40 and .45.  Because of the design its doubtful Uberti will ever offer the gun in .38/.357 as the internals would have to be re-engineered.  If you are a beginner and have aspirations of becoming competitive in the future the 66 is probably a better choice.  Lots of parts available and it can be short stroked.  The Burgess design does not lend itself to short stroking.

I seem to remember reading an article in one of the cowboy gun mags (not the Chronicle) that the "Burgess" was externally unique but used 1873 internals, so it sounds odd they wouldn't offer it in the same calibers offered in the 1873.

[Pettifogger]

I seem to remember reading an article in one of the cowboy gun mags (not the Chronicle) that the "Burgess" was externally unique but used 1873 internals, so it sounds odd they wouldn't offer it in the same calibers offered in the 1873.

I wrote the Chronicle article and am the only one that actually disassembled the gun as part of the article.  The Burgess copy is fairly true to the original design and bears NO resemblance to the 73 on the inside.  Speculation in some other magazines was simply wrong.

[Cal Fornia]

I wrote the Chronicle article and am the only one that actually disassembled the gun as part of the article.  The Burgess copy is fairly true to the original design and bears NO resemblance to the 73 on the inside.  Speculation in some other magazines was simply wrong.

That's good to hear.  I was a bit disappointed when I read otherwise, since, to me, that seemed like cheating.  Like offering a Colt SAA with Remington 1875 internals.  Thanks for the info.   

[NCRanger]

I was referring to the "Classic Cowboy/Cowgirl" matches. According to the SASS Handbook only lever action rifles 1873 and earlier may be used (i.e 1866, Henry, & etc.). I remembered that from the handbook. IMHO that would preclude use of the Bugess (1883).   

[Pettifogger]

I was referring to the "Classic Cowboy/Cowgirl" matches. According to the SASS Handbook only lever action rifles 1873 and earlier may be used (i.e 1866, Henry, & etc.). I remembered that from the handbook. IMHO that would preclude use of the Bugess (1883).  

Just to be clear, those aren't matches.  They are categories shot within a match.  So when you said it wasn't legal is SASS matches I wasn't sure what you were talking about.  The rules were amended last year to allow it in B Western, but for some reason it is still not allowed for Classic Cowboy.

[NCRanger]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I am new to the SASS rules so you can see where I was coming from.

[Paladin UK]

Ho NCRanger........ Nice to see you postin

Mine is in 45LC (I know, not the historically accurate caliber)

I dont quite know where you got that info from   `coz, there was a lot 45LC boolits flyin around from about 1872!!

Paladin (whos favourite cartridge is............45LC!!  ) UK

[NCRanger]

I see that I am going to have to be more careful or at the least more precise about what I'm talking about. I have to remember that every time I open my mouth my foot is nearby just itching for an opening!  

What I should have stated is that the 45 colt is not a historic rifle cartridge. I believe I read somewheres that the most popular and/or historic lever gun cartridge was the 44 WCF or 44/40.

According to the material I have researched, the early 45 colt was developed primarily as a pistol cartridge. The early brass casings weren't as strong as they are today and the case had a very small rim which was not conducive to easy or reliable extraction in lever guns.

At least that's what I read so I'm stickin' to it.