Defarbing a 51 Navy

[Major 2]

Defarbing a 51 Navy

Mike Beliveau has nice Video on U tube on how to Defarb the Pietta Navy grip profile... the so called Pietta swept Tail.

I went a somewhat different way to achieve the same results.
Marked out the profile as he describes, but in my case I used a bench belt sander with 80 grit belt.
I found it much simpler ( course not everybody has a Shop or Belt sander  
So his approch is valid.

I roughly, brought the profile down ( about 1/8" inch ) be careful not to round or go beyond the line.

Next I fitted the Grips ( which I had already striped of the OEM finish) I then belt sanded the grip to a close fit.
(photo 1)

Then I use 100 grit Alum. Oxide Paper for the final fit (photo 2) then  250 , 500 and 600 papers
wood was then stained with walnut stain, Oil finished and Johnson floor wax finished.
I'll post a finished photo when I complete the next step, Defarbing the Barrel markings

[Major 2]

Draw filing the barrel...

Another issue I have with Pietta, aside from the grip shape ,is what I call the law card roll engraving.

I know it's a 36 cal. and It's for Black Powder Only , IMHO it does not need to be stamped on the barrel out there for God & everybody to see.
In my days as a Prop master (Films) I defarbed many a piece, when dealing with Colts,  Pietta was always my third choice because of the time it took to defarb.
(1st, was Colt 2 Gens & then Ubreti because of the discrete location of Maker Marks )

You will note I use a 12" Mill Smooth File, I place the file on a firm flat surface , My calendar Pad on my desk works well.
With the file so placed, tang away from me, I stoke the Barrel away from me along the straight line of the flats.
Go with the grain and in only one direction, picking up the barrel and return to bottom of the file for the next stroke.
About evey 4th pass  shake clear the filings ( keep your file clean of filings)

I leave the blue in tack for this , as I can see the progress as the flats are surfaced... interesting they will have some high spots.
Once you have removed the offending wording, your flats will be level and aligned. Polish begins with 100 250 500 & 600 wet/dry paper.
Work in one direction not in swirls.

I have not decided if 7 1/2  " will be bobed as yet,  or the finish
Rust Blue, or Bright ?

[Major 2]

A bit about this Pistol, it is a 2007 Maufacture. and was a donar gun.

I aquired it in trade for some Leather work ( I like the barter system )
The barrel is at Cartridge Conversions for a re-line to .357. & reblue.
It will be fitted to Dexter, My converted London model with a Kirst Konverter ( Dexter will then have two barrels a 3" Belly & a 7 1/2" )

This left the frame and Cyl. as spare parts , I aquired another barrel , the pictured one above ( another trade )
This one had never been on a gun.

I'm debating its final configuration , I may Bob the barrel to 5 3/16th  or 4 and fit a Kirst

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

Major 2,
Great work. I love your holsters! The one for Dexter is great! I like the one I got from you several years ago with an Arsenal plaque on it.

PS I love Dexter also!! May have to build one my own self, along with a couple more Gunslingers.

[Major 2]

Major 2,
Great work. I love your holsters! The one for Dexter is great! I like the one I got from you several years ago with an Arsenal plaque on it.

PS I love Dexter also!! May have to build one my own self, along with a couple more Gunslingers.

I remember those, I had a supply of Original old stock,  Brass Allegany Arsenal Tags, I made 3 or four of those fit 7 1/2 " Barrels


and thanks

[RebHolister]

Major,
Thank you for sharing your project.  It gives people more ideas of how to do their project right. 

[Major 2]

I have christened this one " Elijah the Thunderer "

The barrel has been Bobbed and crown @ 5 3/16 "  (This length was chosen from an example in " Variation of Colts " Breslin,Pirie & Price )
It has been polished and I believe I will leave it in white....

I have some Cylinder work to do , and set the sight .... Photos to follow ...


Buko ( photo ) was my inspiration ....  When done I'll show my project 51's  

Adam
Bat
Cody
Dexter
& Elijah  

[dusty texian]

That's a rite nice lookin 51 there Major2 .That barrel lenth will look cool as a conversion .What is the sight gonna be ?Post or Blade ......Dusty

[Major 2]

That's a rite nice lookin 51 there Major2 .That barrel lenth will look cool as a conversion .What is the sight gonna be ?Post or Blade ......Dusty

Post if I do one,  the inspiration piece is without ...the barrel you may recognize 

And BTW your envelope arrive and your package is sent

[dusty texian]

Major you did a good job on it, I do not recognize it, look's like a period gun to me  . Lookin forward to seein the package ,Thank You Sir ...Dusty

[Major 2]

Ron that is an orginial    but it was the model for Elijah

[Major 2]

Phase 1 of Elijah is complete

[buckskin billy]

elijah turned out good

[Major 2]

Thank you... here are some in the light of day


The project ...

Circa 2007 Pietta Navy 51 Donor , Barrel circa 2000

Barrel defarbed of all markings & polished
Barrel cut to 5 3/16th, crowned per the orginial  

Cylinder face polished to remove slight tooling marks & improve fouling tendencies.

Grip Profile altered to remove the Pietta tail , walnut grips were stripped, stained & oil finished

Action job , included polishing but I did not lighten Springs just polished the main.
Nipples are OEM but I may change them out Tresco.

Tools needed:
 12" Smooth Mill file
  Hose Clamp ( guide for the saw )
   Blue masking tape ( just to protect the barrel and secure the clamp )
    320 , 400 & 600 grit Wet Dry  paper  ( barrel , Cyl, & main spring )
     100 grit Emory Paper ( Grip shaping & finish with the 320 & 600 )
     I use a 1/4" X 1/8" X 5" slip of hardwood  ( glued a piece of wet dry to the tip , this my stoning tool )

Now, I have belt sander & metal bandsaw, but a hacksaw & vice will work fine.

[dusty texian]

Look's rite nice Major2. Kinda spur's me on to get goin on some of my project's...Dusty

[dusty texian]

Major have ya done anymore to Elijah?..............Dusty

[Major 2]

considering some engraving 

[rbertalotto]

Who is "Cartridge Conversions" and what do they charge to reline a barrel to .357 (38Spl)

[Tornado]

'Hoof Hearted'
http://www.cartridgeconversion.com/

[rbertalotto]

Of course!  We all know Ol' Hoof.......Just didn't put 2+2 together.