What do you see odd about this one?

[Dalton Masterson]

What do you notice odd on this OT??? I will tell you after a few guesses.
DM

[Fox Creek Kid]

It says .44 WCF (44-40) on the rear TG flat. Other than that it appears normal, aside from the fluted cylinder and finish.  

[Major 2]

What Seth said ..and its missing the Wedge screw.

Also it seems small , nothing to scale it by and perhaps its the dark finish .... 

[Long Johns Wolf]

SAA cylinder?
Long Johns Wolf

[Abilene]

Since I already read your description on the SASS Wire, I will withhold comment 

[Dalton Masterson]

Thanks ABilene.
My gunsmith created this 44-40 critter a year or two ago using a SAA frame and cylinder, and turning those parts into an opentop. He had a customer that HAD to have a 44-40, and of course, they arent made. I got to handle it, and it was a thing of beauty. It balanced well, and shot well.
Just thought I would share. DM

[Paladin UK]

  WOW!!! 
That is one Boooootiful Smokepole!! The bluing is something else!!


I think you should give it to me to look after seein as ya already done gone and lost the wedge screw 

Paladin (What lurvs opentops  ) UK

[Dalton Masterson]

Paladin, if it was mine, I would still tell you NO. But I would let ya come and shoot it. I think it went to a pard in Oklahoma, but hes not a cowboy shooter that I know of.
As far as the missing screw, I dunno. The pic was when they were still working on it, so it might have been laying there.
DM

[Flint]

Did the gunsmith make the barrel?  I measured my Uberti Opentop cylinder circle as a little less than the SAA, so I didn't think the bore would align with the chambers.  If it is an Opentop barrel, I'll have to measure again more carefully.

[Dalton Masterson]

No, he used a barrel off of an opentop I believe. Not sure what he did exactly to make it work tho. I will have to ask him next time I see him.
DM

[Flint]

I did re-measure carefully, both a 45 Schofield and a 38 Opentop cylinder, the cylinder circle is 1.056.  A Colt SAA cylinder circle is 1.060 by the book, so the difference in radius is only .002, less than the thickness of a sheet of paper, no doubt, it will work.

Now to find a junker SAA to rebuild.......

[Dalton Masterson]

It is an intriguing project for an advanced tinkerer I think. Out of my league for sure, but some of you gents are plenty capable I believe.
The hardest part to me would be cutting up a perfectly good SAA frame, to make it. Basically have the cost of two guns in the project, to make one VERY COOL gun in a good caliber.
DM

[Hoof Hearted]

Flint

It appears fairly straight forward (been comparing parts all evening )

Notice the hammer? It is just recontoured at the top to match the new curve of the recoil shield after top strap and sight though removal.

Next, to tear down an ASM Open top and an ASM 1873 to see what interchanges internally!

[Flint]

Hoof, I don't think an ASM Opentop has many good parts inside.  They are basically a cap & Ball with the cylinder clearance opened up, so the chamber circle could be larger.  The floor is very thin.  The Uberti made Opentop is much closer, but I think the SAA internal parts are the best to use.

[Leo Tanner]

That is a one of a kind.
     First thing that caught my eye was the brass hardware in the steel frame.  I would have gone for a smooth cylinder, but the flutes do aid in loading/ejecting.  My wife got a look at this one an fell in love.  Kinda easy to do


Leo

[Hoof Hearted]

Hoof, I don't think an ASM Opentop has many good parts inside.  They are basically a cap & Ball with the cylinder clearance opened up, so the chamber circle could be larger.  The floor is very thin.  The Uberti made Opentop is much closer, but I think the SAA internal parts are the best to use.

Well....not really
The hammer geometry is different (which explains why the triggers all sit so far forward in the guard). The other internals are interchangeable. I just put a SAA trigger, bolt hand and spring in this one that I tore down.

I'm thinking an ASM SAA to donate to the frame side. Just because the thing is so Colt friendly. A Uberti Open top 44 Colt barrel. 44-40 woould be my caliber of choice. Then..........a full flute or long flute cylinder since we are in the experimental realm. I just bought a donor ASM off of Gunbroker for $160.00. I have plenty of hammers to experiment with and rebending/shaping to be more Open Top like should be easy enough.

Now off to VTI for a barrel.

[Flint]

The cylinder is fluted because it's a SAA cylinder.  Some can be had unfluted, I have a 45ACP cylinder unfluted, but Colt cylinders are rare unfluted.  Gotta look into clone frames, see if there is one reasonable enough to cut up.

[Dalton Masterson]

Too bad Cabelas isnt still selling Milleniums for 199 bucks. I think a full fluted one would be pretty neat to see. Someone could ball mill the rest of a SAA one out, right?

Leo, thats gold plate, not brass btw. And gold flake in the grips. And if I remember right, Kelly Laster did the engraving. He does most of theirs.
DM

[Hoof Hearted]

Too bad Cabelas isnt still selling Milleniums for 199 bucks. I think a full fluted one would be pretty neat to see. Someone could ball mill the rest of a SAA one out, right?

Not really an issue to lengthen the flutes.
If you want a "smooth" cylinder you have to look for one from a commerative (or go to the custom shop). I bought 6 in 45 Colt about 15 years ago they musta been overruns. Sold them all and never looked back. I'm sure any custom single action guy would do one for ya, but the cost would negate the fun factor..........unless money is not real important

[Leo Tanner]

Money is VERY important.  It was just a thought.


Leo