Who has the Uberti NMA "conversion" gun from Taylor's

[Hoof Hearted]

All factory Remington .44 conversion were of the "thin plate" type. In other words, no it is not correct.

As well as all of the armoury conversions (save for a few documented "experimentals"), but they were not all in 44 remington calibre.

[Stophel]

Look in the photo I posted and you will see the two variations that I see quite often (the conversions appear to be quite common.  I THINK that many of these "conversions" were never actually sold as percussion guns, but came straight from the factory as CF or RF guns.....).  There's a thin plate that is dovetailed and fitted into the rear of the "cylinder window" in the frame.  Basically this just makes for a flat surface for the cartridge heads to ride on and hold them in place just like any other revolver.  The cylinder is an ordinary looking bored-through cylinder.  No covering attachment on the back.  Some of the conversions do not have a loading notch, like the top gun in the picture (which is missing its backplate), and I suppose that the cylinder has to be removed to load and unload.  The other type looks just the same, but there's a notch in the side so that the shells can go in and out of the gun.  I suppose you just have to make sure that you're not holding the pistol pointing it up in the air when you cock it, or the shell will fall out when you cock the hammer!

The very cool looking engraved gun that I like APPEARS to be a .38.  The gun looks like it is a tad smaller than the other ones in the picture.  The caption just says that it is a "factory conversion", but this particular book has a LOT of mistakes in the photo captions...

Of course, I'm sure that individual gunsmith shops were doing their own conversions (though they would have to be VERY well equipped!)...just like they are today, so each one might be different.

So far, I haven't seen a full size .44 with the "R&D" style conversion with the backplate with all the individual firing pins.  I have seen several of the pocket revolvers done this way (they appear to be rather common, relatively speaking), and some of the DA's, one of each of which are also in the photo.

This is NOT a subject I have studied to any great extent.  Just some basic observations.  I can easily be wrong.

I have a Man At Arms magazine with an article of an experimental Remington conversion which is REALLY neat.  A thick backplate/loading gate deal.  I think the entire ring turns around to open the loading gate.  It's pretty simple, and looks like it would work wonderfully,  but it was never produced beyond a few prototypes.

[Hoof Hearted]

OK, from the top:

New Model Army (1863) conversion lacking the ejector and obviously the loading port. Appears to be a six shot so the cylinder would have more than likely have a "section" added to the rear (soldered on). Could be a Remington factory conversion or an Armoury one (can't tell without inspecting the conversion numbers under the rammer) and some other telltale signs. Large Calibre

Next a Remington double action Belt model. Back plate does not have "firing pins like the R&D" but slots for the hammer mounted firing pin and would be 38 calibre rimfire.

Another NMA 1863 conversion with a loading port but no ejector. The WRACO marked pistols are well documented. Large Calibre

A highly embellished Navy model probably in 38 rimfire but could be centerfire. Most likely a later production pistol or a presentation piece as most factory ones that were engraved had very rudimentary engraving.

The last pistol appears to be a Police model that also would probably be a 38 rimfire. These smallest framed pistols were five shots. Still no back plate with "firing pins". There are a lot of pics floating around of "custom" short barreled guns with and without rammers that have these types of replacement cylinders and or thin plate conversions. Fewer with thick plate (navy style).

I am typing from recollection and the sources like Karr and the others who wrote the books would probably povide you with more accurate info!

[Hoof Hearted]

Hey Stophel, don't let my post scare you

The Uberti "conversion" pistol is pretty neat. 38 or 45 are available now and I haven't heard when the 44-40 will be here, it's been a long wait already!

The Uberti is kida medium in the grip frame size with the Pietta being larger and the Euroarms smaller. Both of whoch are neat with an R&D 9no gate) or a Kirts with a gate (you cut the port).

Good Luck

[Stophel]

No firing pins.  Cool.  Do the multiple firing pins exist from this time, or is it just a modern way to make this style of conversion into centerfire?

What is the "W.R.A.C.O"?  This is stamped on quite a few guns in this book.  All different kinds of guns.  My immediate thought upon seeing it was "Winchester Repeating Arms Company", but I had no idea why they would stamp Remingtons and Smith&Wessons.   

[Marshal John Lawless]

I purcased two with 5 1/2" barrels in 38 special and had 'em shipped straight to Nate Kiowa Jones. He says one of them has a "little hitch in it" but they both should both smooth up nicely. Can't wait to load 'em up with cases full of Pinnacle and see how they shoot.

Lawless

[Hoof Hearted]

No firing pins.  Cool.  Do the multiple firing pins exist from this time, or is it just a modern way to make this style of conversion into centerfire?

What is the "W.R.A.C.O"?  This is stamped on quite a few guns in this book.  All different kinds of guns.  My immediate thought upon seeing it was "Winchester Repeating Arms Company", but I had no idea why they would stamp Remingtons and Smith&Wessons.   

I forget more than I remember, anymore
It seems that I read somewhere that Winchester (their ammo company) used Remington Army conversions in the development of Centerfire ammunition. I am just extrapolating here but these were the first Large bore cartrdge pistols. Starting with an agreement with Smith and Wesson to use the Rollin White patent in or abouy 1867. Like I said before as a five shot in .46 rimfire.

I believe the "floating" firingpin design to be Kenny Howells, although I have heard it said that he copied a "gunsmith" conversion so equipped.

I have a Uberti NMA converted by him in the "Navy" style and so does Oldelm.