61 navy, pietta or uberti?

[The Avocado Kid]

Flint, I solved the mystery, I think? Looks like the gun is a 1872 Open Top in 38spl, Cimarron sells them with Bass or silver T/Guard & back Strap and of course a round barrel. These guns are confusing when you are new to them.

[Flint]

If you look closely at the pictures you can see that the '72 Opentop has no conversion ring, the loading gate is attached directly to the standing breech, as it is on the single Action Army.

The "Conversions" have a two piece breech (3, actually), the (1) frame's standing breech and the (2) backplate, or conversion ring attached to the frame.  The conversion backplate mounts the (3) gate.

On the Richard's conversion, the rear sight is on the conversion ring.  On the Richards-Mason conversion the rear sight is on the hammer as on the cap&ball guns.  On the Opentop. the rear sight is on the rear edge of the barrel.

Colt put all brass backstraps on the "Civilian" versions of the revolvers, that had no need of the shoulder stock cut in the heel of the backstrap butt.

[The Avocado Kid]

Flint,I went back to the Cimarron webpage and the gun is a Navy 1872 OT with Brass T/G and backstrap in 38spl. so....when all is said and done the gun shop thought it was a "61"navy and so did I but it is without question an Open Top Navy. Flint,thanks so much for your help,this forum is a great place to hang,thanks again! Mickey.

[The Avocado Kid]

Hey Flint,where is Rio Rico,AZ? I live in AZ also. Mickey.

[Flint]

Rio Rico is about 10 miles north of Nogales, and about 5 miles south of Tubac.  50 miles south of Tucson on Hwy 19.

[The Avocado Kid]

Wow! You are way south,are you in the Army? They are the only people I know of that live that far south of Tucson. Mickey.

[Flint]

No, my brother was, and he wanted to be near the medical facilities near the Fort W. in Sierra Vista.  I liked the area and bought a house here too.  It's a bit of a drive to Tucson or Phoenix, but I really like it here.  The nearest CAS matches are near Tucson, Sierra Vista and Tombstone.

[The Avocado Kid]

Flint,I would guess Cas would be a happening event around Tucson & Tombstone,Phoenix would be a bit of a drive, about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. I got a reply from Cimarron and all they wanted from me is the gun's serial# so...I had to e-mail the gun store as I have the item on lay-away and won't pick it up until the end of the week. I know what the gun is now and this ain't the first time I have made a purchase and then had to ask "what did I just buy" BUT I have always been lucky buying guns,which brings up the subject of firearms books-buy the book then buy the gun,works for orig.guns but not so for the replica's,maybe somebody should do a book on replica's? Flint,thanks again,Mickey.

[Flint]

Try this website

http://rprca.tripod.com/NewsLetter.html

RPRCA, Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association.

[The Avocado Kid]

Thanks Flint!

[Riot Earp]

I'm returning to this thread's original subject to report that I purchased a Uberti 1861 Navy and couldn't be happier. I found the gun in a large gun store and, though it was pricey, its timing is perfect and the fit is excellent. The bolt rises into the approaches (i.e. the ramps), not ahead of them like you see on many clones. And the mainspring feels perfect--not too strong and not too weak. For the first time, I might not need an action job on an Italian gun. I decided to pay the extra money 'cause I knew what I was getting (didn't want to risk getting a junker through the mail). It's the military model, the one with the steel grip frame and shoulder stock cuts. I was looking for the civilian model, but they seem to be drying up. Almost no one has them in stock anymore.

Holding this gun is almost surreal, as if by God's grace I'm being transported through time to the 1860s/70s. It feels more "Old West" than "Civil War."

I know a guy who used to work for Turnbull Restoration (the case hardening gurus). He's going to lightly antique it for me. I might have the wedge case hardened also.

[Marshal Deadwood]

Riot,,,I love the '60 Army, the '61 Navy and the '62 Police most of any of the c and b guns.

That '61 Navy is one gorgeious revolver. Im thinking about one at some point to compliment my '60 Armys.

Marshal Deadwood