Which models were produced by Gregorelli and Uberti?

LonesomePigeon · July 06, 2015, 03:07:37 PM

I'm curious as to what makes and models of bp revolvers were produced by Gregorelli & Uberti?

So far I think I have seen mention of the Colt 1851 Navy, Remington 1858 New Model Army, Griswold & Gunnison and the Leech & Rigdon.

Fingers McGee · July 06, 2015, 06:47:57 PM

Quote from: LonesomePigeon on July 06, 2015, 03:07:37 PM
I'm curious as to what makes and models of bp revolvers were produced by Gregorelli & Uberti?

So far I think I have seen mention of the Colt 1851 Navy, Remington 1858 New Model Army, Griswold & Gunnison and the Leech & Rigdon.

IIRC, it was those and the 1860 Army & 1861 Navy. The 1851 Navy and Griswold & Gunnison were the first 16 replicas made in 1958 (10 Navies and 6 Griswolds)

LonesomePigeon · July 06, 2015, 10:09:58 PM

Thanks. If anyone has any more info, specs, variations, production numbers, etc. please post. I have a Navy Arms 1851 Navy by Gregorelli & Uberti on the way and I would like to know more about this company.

Fingers McGee · July 06, 2015, 10:57:48 PM

In October 1957 Val Forgett, an Italian businessman (Book is not clear who) and William B. Edwards formed Navy Arms.

Gregorelli & Uberti was formed around the same time to build replica 1851 Navies for Navy Arms. They were the company that made the first 16 replicas. From what I understand, Uberti had the manufacturing facilities to produce the replicas; but was not licensed to manufacture the whole revolver. Gregorelli had the license; but not the facilities. The partnership lasted until around 1966/67 when Uberti got the license and bought Gregorelli out.

Civil War Handguns by William B. Edwards has a whole chapter on the beginnings of the replica industry.

Lefty Dude · July 07, 2015, 12:09:30 AM

And then there are the Chicago "Belgium 1860 New Model Armies".

Pettifogger · July 07, 2015, 12:38:19 AM

I have a G&U Remington in .36.

Long Johns Wolf · July 07, 2015, 02:14:45 AM

Just curious: what is the source for the info that G&U lasted til 1966/67.
I was under the impression that Uberti took over in the early 1960s already.
The first Uberti 1860s are from April 1963 according to Uberti. I thought that was already Uberti alone without Grigorelli.
Long Johns Wolf

Monsai52 · July 07, 2015, 02:26:27 AM

My dad bought one of these in the late '50s, and gave it to me about 10 years later. I've put a lot of rounds through it over the years and it's always been a good shooter The image below is from earlier this year, the groups started to open up a bit after about 30 rounds.

Best regards,

Fingers McGee · July 07, 2015, 11:49:19 AM

Quote from: Long Johns Wolf on July 07, 2015, 02:14:45 AM
Just curious: what is the source for the info that G&U lasted til 1966/67.
I was under the impression that Uberti took over in the early 1960s already.
The first Uberti 1860s are from April 1963 according to Uberti. I thought that was already Uberti alone without Grigorelli.
Long Johns Wolf

Some months (year or more?) back there was a G&U 1851 with a date code of 1966 that popped up on GB. I always thought that GU only lasted until the early 60's too until this one appeared. Wish I had kept a picture of it. It'd be nice if the complete story was known for sure.

BTW, Haven't heard from the other Uberti contact you gave me.

Long Johns Wolf · July 08, 2015, 01:31:13 AM

Fingers, that is strange, Whenever I emailed them I got the response within 24 hours.
However, it's been 3 years that I have been in touch with in Gardone.
They might have closed the factory because it is July, however.
Regarding G&U: you may want th check back with RPRCA. Dr. Davis might have the correct years?!
Long Johns Wolf

LonesomePigeon · July 08, 2015, 02:57:01 AM

I too seem to remember seeing a GU gun with a 1965 or 66 date code. I also remember reading an older post, by Dr. Davis I believe, stating that Gregorelli and Uberti probably ended their partnership in 1961 or 62 but Uberti continued to use leftover GU marked parts until at least 1966.

Pettifogger: Thanks, I did not know about the .36 calibers.

Lefty Dude: I am interested in the Belgian Centennial's too. Fortunately there is a great website devoted to them: http://1960nma.com/

Monsai52: Very cool.

Long Johns Wolf · July 08, 2015, 03:53:53 AM

Lefty Dude & Lonesome Pigeon: I love my Centaures, too.
Long Johns Wolf

Fingers McGee · July 08, 2015, 11:18:53 AM

Quote from: LonesomePigeon on July 08, 2015, 02:57:01 AM
I too seem to remember seeing a GU gun with a 1965 or 66 date code. I also remember reading an older post, by Dr. Davis I believe, stating that Gregorelli and Uberti probably ended their partnership in 1961 or 62 but Uberti continued to use leftover GU marked parts until at least 1966.

That sounds logical to me. I'm a firm believer that the SS Uberti Colt's were made from parts originally intended to be 2nd Generation Colt's.