Info on Bill Edwards (Afton, VA) 1851 Navy .36?

[tnlonghunter]

I have a line on one of these from a local guy. I can't seem to find any significant information about them. I've found a few random mentions in various old threads, but any links to articles or longer write-ups are dead.

The seller says it's unfired and made in Italy around the late 1970s for Mr. Edwards. He's asking $225.

So, can anyone provide any details about these?

Who was the actual manufacturer?
Are they good shooters? I'm not interested in a collector's piece.
Is that a fair asking price?

I just paid the dumb@$$ tax to a scammer to the tune of $180, so while I do want a good 1851, I'm kinda gun-shy at this point unless it's as close to a sure-enough good move as possible. At least this time, it'll be a face-to-face transaction.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

You may have seen my old posts on Bill Edwards marked revolvers.

Have seen and handled several Bill Edwards marked Colt style percussion revolvers at Bill Edward's gun show table many years ago. Can not remember who made them. The quality seemed nice IIRC. Unfortunately all the 10 - 12 guns had some light surface rust overall so did not buy any of them.

The guns were marked on top of the barrels " - ADDRESS BILL EDWARDS AFTON VA US AMERICA - ".

Do not know how these would hold up as shooters. Think $225 would be a fair price in unfired condition.

Talked with Bill for a few minutes. He talked about his business dealings with Val Forgett of Navy Arms. Bill apparently hated Val due to some bad business deal between them.

Would be interested in knowing more if other members can post information.

If you can please post pictures and advise who made the 1851.

 

[Long Johns Wolf]

There is some background information on Bill Edwards over at the Centaure & FROCS website www.1960nma.org.
Edwards was involved or the driver rather in setting up the production at Gregorelli & Uberti in 1959/60 for the first Colt 1851 Navies and 1862 Griswold & Gunnisons and at Fabriques d'Armes Unis de Liège in Belgium for the Centaure 1960 NEW MODEL ARMIES.
Long Johns Wolf

 

[hawkeye2]

If you stopped at Bill's table you got the mandatory tale about his issues with Forgett. He even had a photo copy of the settlement check on display with the guns.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

Thanks Long Johns Wolf and hawkeye2; interesting information. Only saw Bill Edwards the one time at the now defunct Cal Expo gun show in Sacramento.