Need help indentifying manufacturers

blackhawk rock · July 08, 2011, 03:16:05 PM

This is my first post on CAS. i have been a long time lurker and have gleened lots of useful information here. I recently purchased several NIB blackpowder pistols. I have three that I need to know the manufacturer of. I have done lots of research and came up empty. The first is a 51 Navy. The only marking I can find is under the loading lever and it is "FAF". The other two are also 51 Navies and they have "COM" under the loading levers. One also has Sile Inc New York on the barrel. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it helps they are date stamped 1978.

Thanks for the help
Greg

blackhawk rock · July 08, 2011, 06:05:55 PM

Pictures of the 51 with the FAF under the lever, also a picture of the end of the box. I believe the box is original.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · July 08, 2011, 08:33:56 PM

here is the usual source of information on replica revolvers;

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

IF the initials were FAP, the answer would be Pietta?

blackhawk rock · July 08, 2011, 09:39:15 PM

Yes Sir I have looked through that PDF. I am thinking the two with the COM are old Euroarms pistols but the one with the FAF has got me stumped. I have took it apart looking for more marks but no luck.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · July 08, 2011, 10:37:38 PM

I have a replica '61 navy made about 1976. It is unmarked but came to me with a registration certificate saying it was a Uberti. I was confused when it wouldn't take the same nipples as my other Uberti's, but the same ones as a Pietta. Still no markings but the Beretta service rep in Canada said it was very possible it was an Uberti as thread size for the nipples changed about the time the Series II percussion revolvers were created. I guess markings weren't strictly required in the past, at least here in Canada. (But, registration requirements are strictly observed!!)

I know it doesn't answer your question, Blackhawk, just says that you are not alone, and maybe I can get some help as well.

Claypipe · July 08, 2011, 11:21:33 PM

Quote from: blackhawk rock on July 08, 2011, 03:16:05 PM
This is my first post on CAS. i have been a long time lurker and have gleened lots of useful information here. I recently purchased several NIB blackpowder pistols. I have three that I need to know the manufacturer of. I have done lots of research and came up empty. The first is a 51 Navy. The only marking I can find is under the loading lever and it is "FAF". The other two are also 51 Navies and they have "COM" under the loading levers. One also has Sile Inc New York on the barrel. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it helps they are date stamped 1978.

Thanks for the help
Greg

Does the FAF stamp have a diamond shaped border? Or a partial border, what looks to be a "lesser than" sign? If so, then it is a FAP stamp that was mis-struck or done wth a broken die. FAP, of course, is Pietta.

As for the COM stamp, some of these revolvers were imported by Excam of Hialeah Florida, now defunct . The manufacturer was Giovanni Contrini, who made firearms up between 1945-1980. COM stands for Contrini Officine Meccaniche di Contrini Giovanni. Which roughly translates to Contrini machine shops of Contrini Giovanni.

Hope that helps,
Claypipe, the GunGnome

Claypipe · July 08, 2011, 11:54:53 PM

Quote from: Sir Charles deMouton-Black on July 08, 2011, 10:37:38 PM
I have a replica '61 navy made about 1976. It is unmarked but came to me with a registration certificate saying it was a Uberti. I was confused when it wouldn't take the same nipples as my other Uberti's, but the same ones as a Pietta. Still no markings but the Beretta service rep in Canada said it was very possible it was an Uberti as thread size for the nipples changed about the time the Series II percussion revolvers were created. I guess markings weren't strictly required in the past, at least here in Canada. (But, registration requirements are strictly observed!!)

I know it doesn't answer your question, Blackhawk, just says that you are not alone, and maybe I can get some help as well.

You may have an early kit gun. These guns were sold 90% completed and assembled, requiring final metal, and wood, finishing be done by the buyer. They were not stamped by the original manufacturer so that they could be recognized as not being under factory warranty. Also, they were never proofed.

CP

hellgate · July 09, 2011, 12:00:25 AM

The grips have the look of a Pietta with the straight backstrap and very flared bottom. The ASM & Ubertis were more true to the '51 Navy which was used for the SAA.

Mako · July 09, 2011, 01:09:41 AM

Quote from: hellgate on July 09, 2011, 12:00:25 AM
The grips have the look of a Pietta with the straight backstrap and very flared bottom. The ASM & Ubertis were more true to the '51 Navy which was used for the SAA.

I agree with Hellgate. It's a Pietta grip, very distinctive.

The name on the box is also what Pietta sometimes calls the '51, they often put the "Yank" someplace in the name.

The "FAF" is most probably a mis-stamped FAP (99.9% sure). There are lots of Piettas without the diamond, here is one Capt. Billy sent me asking the same question just over a month ago:

Do this long enough and you'll see all kind of Pietta logos and markings.

~Mako

blackhawk rock · July 09, 2011, 10:16:23 AM

Thanks for all of the replies. I knew the experts on here could help me. I believe it may be a Pietta as it looks almost exactly like the picture Mako posted. It is date coded 75. Again I appreciate the help. The other two are most likely Euroarms so no worries there. I will start a new thread with a picture of all six of them.

Thanks
Greg