New to me BP Revolver

[Hawk54]

Recently I bid on a black powder revolver on an auction site. It was listed as a Dart .36 cal 1851 Navy with engraving. Looked good so I bid on it. Got it for a $150 plus shipping. When the UPS guy delivered it and he was walking in from the end of the driveway the package looked to small. I took it in the house and as I was taking it out of the box I thought maybe the dealer broke it down for easier shipping. When I undid the bubble rap I saw what it was. Wasn't a .36 navy but a .31 pocket pistol with a six inch barrel. Original finish is near 97 percent. Very nice little pistol. I have been looking for one of these and here I got one way cheaper than they usually sell for. Get lucky once in a while. Here is a picture of it and one with .36 big brother. It is an AC date code which is 1977.

 

[TDM]

That is a sweet little revolver! And a great deal, congratulations!

 

[Coolhand]

I like the square back trigger guard.

 

[JohnnieT]

Lovely little gun! I really like the square back trigger guard. Well done!

 

[Eutycus]

A Dart?

 

[jdesro]

That's a pretty nice score. I'm a bit envious - Last year I picked up one a lot like yours, only with a shorter barrel (and different import markings). I'm really happy with mine, and have been on the lookout for another one to keep it company.

Here's a shameless plug for the video I made with mine:

 

[Hawk54]

A Dart?

Dart is the maker mark used by Riva Esterina. Esterina made firearms for importer Excam.

 

[Hawk54]

That is a sweet little revolver! And a great deal, congratulations!

Thanks. Got lucky.

 

[Hawk54]

I like the square back trigger guard.

Me too.

 

[Hawk54]

Lovely little gun! I really like the square back trigger guard. Well done!

Thanks.

 

[Hawk54]

That's a pretty nice score. I'm a bit envious - Last year I picked up one a lot like yours, only with a shorter barrel (and different import markings). I'm really happy with mine, and have been on the lookout for another one to keep it company.

Here's a shameless plug for the video I made with mine:

Nice pistol and video. That PR marking is the same company as made mine. Riva Esterina made pistols for Excam and they were marked Dart for a makers mark. Riva Esterina Arms Company made firearms for EIE, FIE, EIG, and others and they were marked with the PR makers mark. Some weapons do have the Dart and PR on them.

 

[jdesro]

Nice pistol and video. That PR marking is the same company as made mine. Riva Esterina made pistols for Excam and they were marked Dart for a makers mark. Riva Esterina Arms Company made firearms for EIE, FIE, EIG, and others and they were marked with the PR makers mark. Some weapons do have the Dart and PR on them.

Thank you for that. When I was making the video I was searching on line for some idea as to who actually made the revolver, but I couldn't really find any reliable information. With a lot of these older reproduction revolvers, it seems like much of the history around them is either lost in translation or completely non-existent.

I have an 1858 Remington New Model Navy with the DART markings. It's a .36 caliber with a brass frame. It works well, but it is a bit rough - not at all as nicely finished as many of the other reproduction revolvers I've handled.

For some reason I've become a bit enamored with these old reproduction revolvers. There's just something about them that I really like, so I'm always on the hunt for ones in decent shape and at a good price - and it looks like you scored on both counts!

 

[rdungan1918]

You got lucky on this one. My recent experience is that guns at auction are going for a lot more. Congrats on great buy

 

[Hawk54]

You got lucky on this one. My recent experience is that guns at auction are going for a lot more. Congrats on great buy

I am sure I got it cheaper because the company selling it had it listed with the wrong caliber and model. Also listed the finish as good to fair.

 

[Whitworth]

It's already been said but love those square back trigger guards.

 

[SPQR70AD]

Nice pistol and video. That PR marking is the same company as made mine. Riva Esterina made pistols for Excam and they were marked Dart for a makers mark. Riva Esterina Arms Company made firearms for EIE, FIE, EIG, and others and they were marked with the PR makers mark. Some weapons do have the Dart and PR on them.

good honest video and nice shooting. I am glad you got away from using the wads. to me a waste of time and money