Now why did I let this sit for 20 years????

[BadDaditood]

It fails to amaze me why a question like this is asked. None of the revolvers you specify were copies of original Colt 1851 Navy .36.

These were all Confederate manufactured revolvers. As such, due to the scarcity of materials and extant manufacturing facilities, Confederate business entities joined together to manufacture needed sidearms for the Confederate "cause".

The Spiller & Burr .36 was a brass-framed copy of the Union Whitney revolver and had no ties to the Colt 1851 Navy .36 in any way.

View attachment 60175

The Leech & Rigdon had a steel frame like the Colt 1851 Navy .36 but had the easier/cheaper to produce part round/part octagon barrel and the smooth non-engraved cylinder.

View attachment 60177

The Griswold & Gunnison was the same with a brass frame. They manufactured over 3600 copies of it.

Regards,

Jim

Was just my lame attempt at humor
Sorry to offend

 

[toot]

Spiller & Burr
Leech & Rigdon
Griswold & Gunnison

how come it took Two guys to copy the original?

rely only one ITALIAN TO DO IT!

 

[Zonie]

My information says the original Confederate contract for their revolver was to be a copy of the Colt 1851 Navy pistol.

The company that made the Spiller & Burr already had tooling built to produce a copy of the Whitney on hand or underway, so although it didn't meet the requirements of the Confederate contract, it was accepted for production.

 

[sourdough]

My information says the original Confederate contract for their revolver was to be a copy of the Colt 1851 Navy pistol.

The company that made the Spiller & Burr already had tooling built to produce a copy of the Whitney on hand or underway, so although it didn't meet the requirements of the Confederate contract, it was accepted for production.

You are so very much correct! Thank you!

Very long story.

Regards,

Jim