[Whig]

This is my recent acquisition that I have cleaned and tightened up and have ready to fire. I replaced a damaged loading lever and needed a new wedge. Otherwise, this Army revolver was made in 1862 and is ready for blasting away at some black powder again. As soon as I pick up some #11 percussion caps, I'll take her out and enjoy history. All internals are original and sharp and tight. The barrel is amazingly in very good condition with little pitting and strong rifling and the muzzle is clean and undamaged. No finish on the outside but inside it's ready. Cylinder turns easily with cycling. Those notches in the bottom of the grip aren't chips, either. It is all matching. If this thing could talk.

I'm debating whether or not to get a Colt letter on this. Is it worth it? I don't plan on selling it anytime soon. For some reason, a Colt letter on percussion revolvers is $300!

Thanks!

 

[scandiknivars]

Given the overall condition and the fact that you were able to unscrew the base pin or arbor that the cylinder rotates on from the frame, I would not shoot this pistol even with reduced loads. There is a real danger that shooting it will launch the cylinder and barrel assembly down range with possible injury to someone.
Dan

 

[Big Coulee]

Whig ----- If I were you I'd reassemble the 1862 revolver, oil all parts well and store it in a safe dry place. I'd advise you not to try firing the revolver even with reduced black powder loads. Uberti and others make very high quality repros. of the Model 1860 Army revolver in .44 caliber (taking a .451" round ball). I have one that is a joy to shoot and is well able to handle a 30 grain load of black powder with no problems. Pick up one of those and have a lot of fun but put away the original for safe keeping and pass it along to your kids and grand kids.

 

[Whig]

I actually unscrewed the cylinder pin with effort because it was not seated tight. It turned a slight amount when the wedge was in place before I fixed it. So, I cleaned the threads with alcohol, used red Loctite and rethreaded it and then staked the threads well so it is exceptionally tight now. I had a percussion gun smith look at the revolver and recommend staking the pin. It is real sound and tight, no chance of blasting loose. The stakes that were there had loosened. I plan on using reduced loads with round lead balls as was suggested. Thanks for all the warnings, though!

 

[BlackPowder]

It was meant to be shot. Go shoot it and let us know how she does!

 

[mike radford]

I like to shoot my replicas. I got one when I was about 17 and too young to get a cartridge pistol. I prefer the 1858 Remington with a steel frame. They are pretty tough. I want to shoot my Walker with near max and see how potent they really are. The 1873 Colt style with black powder cylinders are pretty and have a top strap. They should be fun. Caps are hard to find. Seems like I am using one size larger than recommended but the smaller size is near unobtainable. I pinch them to be snug and so far no problem. I had some 40 year old primers that spent quite a bit of time in the garage. So far everyone has fired.

Hopefully, they will not catch on with the criminals or they will be attacked with more regs. A retired ex-FBI agent works in my WY gun shop, also former SF, says local LEOs have "got around" (I do not like got arounds and no longer trust him)j the fact that they are not "firearms" and are busting felons and others that are carrying them or keeping them in their cars so apparently some problem already exists. They are fun. I am using the powder that is supposedly sulfur free and less corrosive, but I clean the crap out ot them quickly and thoroughly. Cabalas has the powder most of the time. Apparently 3 lbs is the possession limit.

I love my 1873 modern cartridge pistols too but they are too pretty to shoot. I want a LeMatt but they are really hard to find.

 

[Watson99]

Yeah, I wouldn't shoot it even with the reduced loads. I am a big fan of cap'n'ball revolvers myself. The '58 Remington is my favorite, especially the older replicas that are direct copies of the original. Modern Piettas and Ubertis are oversized and just don't have the same feel. I also cast my own conical bullets out of pure lead. I only use real black powder in mine...

 

[Big Coulee]

Mike ----- I really enjoy my replica black powder pistols and rifles. My repro. 1860 .44 caliber I'd say is my favorite of the revolvers. I have several tins of the #11 caps that are a bit over sized for the 1960 and the 1851 .36 cal. so I pinch the caps to make them fit pretty tight on the nipples. A friend gave me a tin of #10 caps that are quite snug on the nipples and don't tend to fall off. The #11 caps fit quite well on my BP rifles. I use "top hat" caps on my repo. .58 caliber Zouave musket. That piece shoots very well with 60 grains of FFF BP.
I sure hope Whig doesn't do anything to damage himself or his old original Colt 1860.