Conversion cylinder

[reno]

How can you tell who made or sells a certain conversion cylinder? I'am looking at one with the letters DR&U on the rear or around the  ratchet part of the cylinder. Is it R&D Howell, Taylor, etc? A 45 LC. fits perfect.
Thanks
Reno 

[Coffinmaker]

Allow me to simplify.  Two Piece conversion cylinders are PRIMARILY by Howell.  Howell also makes a Gated conversion for 1860 Colt pattern guns.  Most gated conversions are by Kirst although Kirst also makes some limited two piece cylinders (Primarily for Remington) although some are for .22s

It is also a possibility that some Howell cylinders are being made for Taylors under license from Howell.  Don't quote me on that point.  R&D and Howell are one in the same.  Taylor sells Howell although there is a possibility of some licensed production of the Howell design.

As far as DR&U on the back of the cap ..... Nadia Klue.  I'd have to look at it.  Although, Kirst have a single firing pin in the Recoil Shield at the 12 O'Clock (No, Really).  R&D/Howell have individual firing pins for each chamber.  At one time Howell also made a .45 cylinder with 6 chambers.  The chambers were at an angle from the bore to permit 6 cartridge heads.

There.  See.  Perfectly clear.  Oh, Did I mention the Cylinders for Ruger??  They are different at the Star (Ratchet).  See.  There.  Even more clear(er).  Anytime.  Don't mention it.  Cake.

[reno]

Thanks a always Coffinmaker, for the information.
Thanks
Reno

[Professor Marvel]

.... Oh, Did I mention the Cylinders for Ruger??  They are different at the Star (Ratchet).  See.  There.  Even more clear(er).  Anytime.  Don't mention it.  Cake.

I was just looking at those, and I must wonder why they came up with the oddball back plate and ratchet.
It looks like it makes an ROA gated conversion unlikley or impossible....

I can only opine that Kirst decided to copy the Ruger "drill hole instead of a swatooth ratchet" and said plate requires more
clearance?  Or patent issues.....

yhs
prof babbles

[reno]

Coffinmaker, here are a few pictures of the cylinder.
Thanks

[Cap'n Redneck]

My educated guess would be that your conversion cylinder is made by R&D to fit a Uberti-made replica of the 1858 Remington, since it is marked "R&D" + "U".

The other two possible candidates are Pietta-made replicas (marked "R&D" + "P") or Armi SanMarco-made replicas (marked "R&D" + "A").

As stated in the answer to your other post; if a .45 Long Colt cartridge case won't chamber fully, the cylinder is probably chambered for the .45 S&W Schofield cartridge, which is shorter by about 4mm.