All Steel Spiller & Burr

[rodwha]

After a bit of reading on it this sounds like a fantastic pistol! Looking around all I seem to find are brass framed guns though despite seeing that Pietta shows steel versions.
Where can a steel/stainless one be found (new)?

I've also seen pics of some where there are safety notches in the cylinder as with the Remington's. Guess that can't be had new?

 

[hawkeye2]

I'm a little confused. The original Spiler & Burrs had a brass frame so all reproductions should be brass also. Pieta's site lists the S&Bs as having a brass frame. You may have seen a reproduction Whitney (all steel)which is the revolver the S&B was based on. There are some detail differences between the two if you look at them. I have never seen a steel repro S&B nor either a S&B or a Whitney in stainless.
Some repro S&Bs have safety notches and others don't.

 

[rodwha]

From Pietta:
http://www.pietta.us/products/Muzzleloadinguns/Spiller/gallery/index.html

They may not be period correct. But I would much rather have a steel gun than a brass framed one even though I wouldn't intend on pushing the loads as it mostly be for small game and plinking.

I think the brass looks nice.

 

[Zonie]

Hawkeye2 hit the nail on the head.

The S&B was a brass framed pistol and the Whitney it was based on was steel framed.

To my thinking, the strange thing about the S&B is it did not meet any of the Confederate revolving pistol requirements except it was a .36 caliber.

As the tooling was already underway, S&B managed to sell the gun to the Confederacy anyway.

The Confederate specifications were very clear about the revolvers they wanted.
It should be a copy of the Colt 1851 Navy pistol.

Dixie Gunworks shows the Pietta version of the brass framed S&B is still for sale
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=911

Although at one time Dixie imported a Italian made reproduction of a steel framed Whitney (I own one), I haven't seen one of them offered for years.

 

[rodwha]

I see the brass framed pistols for sale, but can't find the stainless/nickel version that Pietta shows.

Maybe I'm crying over nonsense, but it seems a steel frame will last a lifetime, especially if stout loads are shot frequently. Though I doubt that would be the norm as it would be used primarily for small game and plinking, and typically it seems 1/2 - 2/3 of a max load will produce the best accuracy, I would no doubt want to try a more max load and probably some conicals too.

 

[ebiggs1]

The S&B is not a particularly desirable pistol, in my estimation. It is on the smallish size but maybe that is what you like about it. Certainly would not be a candidate for heavier loads. I have one and rearly shoot it.

 

[rodwha]

ebiggs: Why do you say that it's not a very desirable pistol? My understanding is they borrowed the better parts from the Colt and Remington. I've not heard anything bad about them.

 

[ebiggs1]

I don't know how much of the Colt parts that were copied? They were more a copy of the Whitney, which is more like a Remington New Army. As to whether you will prefer it over any other era revolver is a personal opinion. You may be thrilled with one, I on the other hand think the 1851 Colt London civilian model is he finest cap and ball revolver.
The S&B is clunky feeling little gun with neither the balance of a 1851 Colt or even an 1858 Remington.

 

[rodwha]

I began thinking that the Walker, Dragoon, and 1851 Navy were the best looking. I didn't care much for the flowing look of the 1860 Army or the funky loading arm of the Remington. But after having owned an Old Army the Remington's don't look quite as funky.

Ultimately I must say I'm more for function than form. And I'd certainly prefer an ugly clover leafer over a beautiful scattergun.

I figure .36 caliber would be ideal and have been looking over the 1858, 1851, 1862 Pocket Navy, and the Spiller & Burr. On one hand a longer barrel would most likely be advantageous, but I must admit that the idea of a more compact and lightweight pistol is appealing too.

 

[rodwha]

How does your Spiller shoot? You must not hate it as you still have it in your collection...

 

[rodwha]

I don't recall the parts, but someone had found it was interchangeable with their Colt copy. They had claimed that parts that were better in one model vs the other seemed to have been chosen. I only have a vague understanding of these guns. Quite interesting!

 

[ebiggs1]

Was this question referred to me?
If so, the S&B is typical of the period. I just don't care for it's feel. I will add if you are looking to build a Civil War period collection of reproductions to try and stick with Uberti. Most of mine are Ubertis's but they don't make every model and you must buy other vendors such as Pietta. I have all except for a Patterson and a Walker. Both have been out of stock the few times I tried to buy one. I don't really care as I don't like either of them as the Walker is too big and the Patterson was a poor design. It bankrupted Sam Colt, it was not accepted by anyone except the Texas Rangers.

 

[ebiggs1]

I don't recall the parts, but someone had found it was interchangeable with their Colt copy

Having not disassembled the S&B, I can not say positively but I would be surprised if it's parts (a real S&B and Colt anyway) would interchange with a Colt.
But I get surprised all the time.
The Confederate Army did not like the S&B and did not buy off on it. They were just so in need of guns some probably made it into the ranks. Maybe only by officers and guards or folks like that but not general issue.

 

[rodwha]

The Walker or Dragoon was my first desire until my father brought me an Old Army. I'd still like a Walker one day...

I'm not exactly into PC/HC per say, though I'd prefer it most of the time. I certainly like the 1858 "Sheriff's" model.

You never said if your Spiller shot outstandingly, well, fair, or poorly. I'm curious. That is if you don't mind. For most it's akin to talking about your car or riding lawnmower, but for some it could be like talking about your wife. :nono:

Do the 1862 Colt Pocket's use the .31 Pocket's frame?

 

[Poor Private]

I have a Spiller & Burr(no abbreviations for me). It is brass framed, with browned barrel and cylinder, the brass frame has weathered just right to tie it all together. There are absolutly no marking on ther gun what-so-ever, except for these stamped letters C.S.. I bought it second hand. it came with a box. It is a raditions. I believe it was a kit gun. Whoever put it together did it with care. It is a stupendance weapon. Wouldn't trade it away. Fits my smaller hands perfectly. Shoots dead on. I also have the added benifit of using it for civil war reenacting Confed side of course. I am going to use it next month as a matter of fact.

 

[rodwha]

Got a pic you'd care to share? I'd like to see the browning and weathered look of the brass if you don't mind.

 

[torn moc]

I have small to medium sized hands and my Spiller would wear the Hide off my middle finger within 10 shots...I did not like That...I much prefer the Colt any day.

 

[Poor Private]

Got a pic you'd care to share? I'd like to see the browning and weathered look of the brass if you don't mind.

Ill be doing that as soon as I find my pictures and figure out how to post again. Used to have them in my comp, but this is a new laptop.

 

[Poor Private]

I have small to medium sized hands and my Spiller would wear the Hide off my middle finger within 10 shots...I did not like That...I much prefer the Colt any day.

Sounds like you have a burr, or a sharpedged trigger. I have no problem firing mine at all, matter of fact I just handed mine to the wife and she like the gun it fits her small hands.

 

[rodwha]

I, too, have small hands. I take it the Colt you prefer is the Navy? From what I understand the Navy has a smaller grip than the Army.

My Old Army is just a little big. I sanded the inside of the grips just a little. Don't know if it really accomplished much. For me it's just a stretch to reach the hammer. I have to adjust my grip just a little to actually cock it. Otherwise I can't quite get a good enough purchase on it.