Collecting C&B revolvers

[Robert an saa fan]

Never held an 1851, is the grip frame smaller than the 1860, looks smaller in pictures, anyone know?
Robby

The 1860 Army has taller grips from bottom to top so the grip frame is larger than the 1851 Navy. The 1851 Navy grip fits my large hands better. Your mileage may vary.

The main frames are the same size with the exception of the 1860 Army frame being rebated to accept the larger .44 cylinder.

 

[bluemule66]

51 is smaller and more comfortable for people like me with smaller hands.

 

[Grenadier1758]

What I find good about the smaller grip of the Colt Navy (36 caliber) revolvers is that my little finger curls under the grip. I feel as if I can support the revolver better.

 

[Elkhorse]

I've got a Replica Arms Walker and the grip seems small because I've got big hands. The side of my palm hangs off the bottom.
Might just find another home for it.

 

[Bad Karma]

on December 31, 2020, I had a single cap-and-ball percussion revolver

on December 31, 2021, I will now have approximately 40 or so... I actually need to count and take inventory and thin the herd!

I’m sharing this post with my wife! Thank you so much! Im much more a shooter than collector and I’ve been shooting these guns, originals and replicas since 1959 or so. The first revolver I was allowed to shoot was an antique .32-40 SAA. In all that time I haven’t been able to collect that many c&b revolvers. I salute you sir! (And… you may have a “condition”… ;-)

 

[Whitworth]

The fact that they can be delivered to your door makes it nice too. Funny how the proliferation thing works out sometimes, after sticking to numerous .44s and .36s I came into possession of a bunch of .31 balls, so that of course prompted the need for for an 1849 Pocket model. Now 2nd Gen Colts are my new quest.

 

[JohnL]

The first step to recovery is to admit that you have a problem. The addiction is real!

 

[hrt4me]

I’m sharing this post with my wife! Thank you so much! Im much more a shooter than collector and I’ve been shooting these guns, originals and replicas since 1959 or so. The first revolver I was allowed to shoot was an antique .32-40 SAA. In all that time I haven’t been able to collect that many c&b revolvers. I salute you sir! (And… you may have a “condition”… ;-)

my condition is known as SINK, with no bills neither...

 

[Wolfman0125]

Jim,
That is an impressive collection of open tops! I really like the Pietta 1862 J.H. Dance and Brothers .36, would love to hear that story if you ever feel like sharing it!
Nice looking wood, do you re-finish your grips ? I generally remove the Italian lacquer in favor of a nice oil finish.

I was lucky enough to find a J H Dance for 260.00 online. I’m only missing a Leach & Rigdon and a Rogers & Spencer, and a Schneider & Glassic and a Starr.

 

[ShotgunDave]

My addiction to C&B revolvers is incurable. Because of that, my collection is always in a state of flux. I buy new ones, trade them, and sell some to fund others. After my good friend Sourdough Jim passed on, I acquired most of his collection from his daughter, and added it to mine. Here is where I am right now. Please ignore the "unmentionables" at the bottom.

 

[Wolfman0125]

I found an original Starr revolver in good firing condition. The seller is asking 1399.00 for it. I’m thinking on picking it up.

 

[ShotgunDave]

I found an original Starr revolver in good firing condition. The seller is asking 1399.00 for it. I’m thinking on picking it up.

That's not bad for an original. Do you know if it's the single or double action model? I've heard stories of the double action model being very fragile.

 

[nkbj]

Posted them before but these are my two favorites, a .40 1851 and .41 1858.

 

[hrt4me]

neat, a .40 and a .41 caliber!
do you cast your own bullets for those?

 

[nkbj]

You bet.
The .40 1851 is just the best. Uses .41 round ball.

 

[TrapperDude]

You have a minimal number of cap and ball guns. Here is a picture of some of my collection.
View attachment 49821

Is that a stainless 1860 in the right, center part of your photo, or did you polish it up armory bright? It looks great.

 

[fireman1]

Just picked up 2 Pietta 1860 Armies, 5-1/2" barrels....couple of unmentionable cylinders with them. Need ot post some pics I guess.

 

[Boston Bill]

See this is what I mean! There’s something about C&B revolvers that’s, I don’t know...habit forming!
Seriously though I’ll take a stab at why; the period between 1847 and the 1870’s was the hayday of American made revolvers. There were literally dozens of models and almost as many US makers. Add the new frontier and several wars to the mix and you have a kind of revolver Golden Age.
And add to that they're ( pre-Covid) easy to come by and and for the most part budget friendly.
What do you think?

Everybody needs one of these! Uberti 1873 Cattleman black powder model
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002297696?pid=131995

 

[Zulch]

My addiction to C&B revolvers is incurable. Because of that, my collection is always in a state of flux. I buy new ones, trade them, and sell some to fund others. After my good friend Sourdough Jim passed on, I acquired most of his collection from his daughter, and added it to mine. Here is where I am right now. Please ignore the "unmentionables" at the bottom.

Nice Irons ya got there Shotgun Dave.

 

[Long Johns Wolf]

I love these C&B revolvers.
Here are a few pics of a 1862 Tucker & Sherrard Dragoon low Hammer Spur Model made from an ASM Colt 1848 2nd Mod. Dragoon.
Like the original frame, cylinder and arbor are .25" shorter compared to the Colt Dragoon.
The recoil shield on the right has been opened some to make room to load the unmentionable extra cylinder.
Note the typical rear sight of the T&S.
Long Johns Wolf