I'm in a bit of a quandary

[Ceannt]

I just purchased an 1851 Colt "Navy." I had a brass framed one way back in the 1970's and had a lot of fun with it, and wanted to get another, but with a steel frame. I ordered the .36 caliber. What showed up on my doorstep was a .44. A large part of me is like "historically, that thing is an abomination!" Another part is like "Oh cool, bigger boom!" My biggest fear, is that after going through all the pain and anguish of sending it back, and having them send another, is that I'll end up with the same thing, since the box is labeled .36. What are the odds that Pietta only mis-labeled one box, and not the entire shipment? I seriously doubt a warehouse worker is going to open the dang box, and check the weapon inside to make sure, before shipping it out. Any advice?

 

[Gee Dog]

We can relate to the "pain & anguish" of waiting for a return but call the dealer and explain the problem and send it back. You may have that piece for the rest of your life so get it right while you can.

 

[CaptainKirk]

Personally, I think you might find the error in your favor. Navy caliber guns use less powder and lead in general, but can get a little ho-hum after a while. JMHO

 

[rafterob]

I would be in the "Ooh a bigger bang" club. Keep it.

 

[springfield art]

I just purchased an 1851 Colt "Navy." I had a brass framed one way back in the 1970's and had a lot of fun with it, and wanted to get another, but with a steel frame. I ordered the .36 caliber. What showed up on my doorstep was a .44. A large part of me is like "historically, that thing is an abomination!" Another part is like "Oh cool, bigger boom!" My biggest fear, is that after going through all the pain and anguish of sending it back, and having them send another, is that I'll end up with the same thing, since the box is labeled .36. What are the odds that Pietta only mis-labeled one box, and not the entire shipment? I seriously doubt a warehouse worker is going to open the dang box, and check the weapon inside to make sure, before shipping it out. Any advice?

Just keep it and enjoy it! I recall there was a demand at one time for 'bigger' Navies, maybe you lucked out in a way. Don't sweat the historical accuracy, just use it and have fun. Just my opinion. Plus as you pointed out, all the hassle, it could get lost, they maybe don't have .36's, blah, blah, blah. Best of luck!

 

[Phil Coffins]

I’d want my 51 to be right, if I wanted a 44 it would be a 1860 or dragoon. If a bigger bang is what you want leave your ear plugs out!

 

[vibraphonusrex]

A few years ago, I ordered caps for my Enfield, which I hadn’t touched in a long time. What I ordered was 200 #11 caps, and not musket caps! What a dunce, I thought! I just kept them, rather than go through sending them back, although I’m not sure they would have accepted them. Well, now I have a Kentucky rifle that uses #11 caps! Stupid mistake reversed.

 

[Gee Dog]

If I decided to get an 1851 and then ordered and paid for it, that's what I'd require be sent and not some jump-up Italian fantasy. I'm pretty much a .44 guy but I do love a Navy, correctly calibered.

 

[Timber Wolf]

Personally, I would check it over carefully to see if the fit and action was OK. If so I would be inclined to keep it. But then I just last bought one of those (the “Taylors” version).

 

[Ceannt]

Thank you all for your replies.
I called customer service, and told them of the issue. They are going to check what they have in the warehouse, and see if any, or all of them are also miss-labeled. If they can guarantee me they will send the correct .36, and that they'll hang on to one for me so it doesn't go out of stock, I'll exchange it.

 

[Whughett]

I doubt if it was a mixup. Many 1851’s are advertise as such in 44 Caliber. I have 1851’s in both calibers. I shoot the 44 a lot more. But then I’m not really into any historical aspect of the sport.
The 1860 Army is a 51 frame and lock work modified to accept a 44 caliber barrel.

 

[Ceannt]

Oh it was definitely a mix up. Advertised as .36, and labeled as such on the box. The outfit I bought it from doesn’t even sell 1851s in .44 with a steel frame, and 7 1/2" barrel.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Personally, I think you might find the error in your favor. Navy caliber guns use less powder and lead in general, but can get a little ho-hum after a while. JMHO

Agreed.

The .36 Navy caliber guns aren’t nearly as much fun to shoot as the big .44s.

The .44s have more BOOM and have enough kick to let you know you’re shooting a real gun. They’re a lot of fun! The .36s feel like shooting a cap gun after a while in comparison.

 

[Whughett]

Oh it was definitely a mix up. Advertised as .36, and labeled as such on the box. The outfit I bought it from doesn’t even sell 1851s in .44 with a steel frame, and 7 1/2" barrel.

Serial number on box??

 

[bang]

Keep it and get a 36 too.

 

[Columbus]

The 1860 Army is a 51 frame and lock work modified to accept a 44 caliber barrel

Don't think so, frame is not the same.

 

[Whughett]

Don't think so, frame is not the same.

Research It. Colt took the 1851 Navy, cut the water table of the frame to accept a 44 caliber cylinder, which if you look at it is the 36 calibers ratchet for the hand. The rear portion of the 44 caliber cylinder is the same dimensions as the 36, the chambers are even stepped down at the rear of the cylinder. Added the 44 caliber barrel. He was able to keep the tooling for making both the 44 and 36 caliber pistols plus could meet the armies request for a larger caliber pistol quickly.

 

[Columbus]

Research It. Colt took the 1851 Navy, cut the water table of the frame to accept a 44 caliber cylinder, which if you look at it is the 36 calibers ratchet for the hand. The rear portion of the 44 caliber cylinder is the same dimensions as the 36, the chambers are even stepped down at the rear of the cylinder. Added the 44 caliber barrel. He was able to keep the tooling for making both the 44 and 36 caliber pistols plus could meet the armies request for a larger caliber pistol quickly.

And the grip frame?

 

[Stantheman86]

I just purchased an 1851 Colt "Navy." I had a brass framed one way back in the 1970's and had a lot of fun with it, and wanted to get another, but with a steel frame. I ordered the .36 caliber. What showed up on my doorstep was a .44. A large part of me is like "historically, that thing is an abomination!" Another part is like "Oh cool, bigger boom!" My biggest fear, is that after going through all the pain and anguish of sending it back, and having them send another, is that I'll end up with the same thing, since the box is labeled .36. What are the odds that Pietta only mis-labeled one box, and not the entire shipment? I seriously doubt a warehouse worker is going to open the dang box, and check the weapon inside to make sure, before shipping it out. Any advice?

Keep the .44.....it can "technically " be historically correct because...

Schneider & Glassick made some steel (iron) frame revolvers and attempted some in .44.....so a .44 Colt Navy copy did, at one point, exist. None are known to have survived

That being said, yes, the .44 Navy is a "fantasy " gun but I always liked how they looked , kind of like an 1860 Army and a 51 Navy had a baby.

I'd just keep it and enjoy it. You may end up waiting forever for a .36 in exchange or you'll just get another .44 in the wrong box

 

[Whughett]

And the grip frame?

I’m just telling you what Colt did in 1860. What the I’tys do I can’t speak to. Lots of folks think the Navy is because they preferred the 36. Not so. Prior to 1860 the Army used the Dragoons. But they are horse pistols. They wanted the 44’s large diameter in a belt holster size. Colt obliged in the way Colt was famous for. Shortly there after Colt redesigned the 1851 into the 1862.