Original 51 vs. Uberti

[BillinOregon]

Recently got to examine an original 1851 (160,000 SN range) side by side with my new Uberti London model. Biggest differences noted: The front bead on the Uberti is huge compared to the Colt, and the Colt grip panels are considerably slimmer.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Are you sure the grips were original on the Colt? The bead?

 

[east texas]

i thought the colts had blade type front sights am i wrong?

 

[bdhutier]

On the Army yes, but the Navy had a bead.

 

[LRB]

That sounds about right for an original.

 

[Tumblernotch]

On the Army yes, but the Navy had a bead.

The 1851 Old Model Navy made from 1858 to 1872 had a blade. Besides, the 1851 Army never existed.

 

[poordevil]

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/show_inventory.php?catID=13&subcatID=150

 

[Tumblernotch]

I'm not denying the 1851 Navy existed. I'm talking about the 1851 Army.

If a feller had a few of those listed, he could have retire a bit earlier.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Never heard of a 1851 Army?

 

[Tumblernotch]

Oh, I've heard of them. Just like I've heard of unicorns. Colt never made an 1851 Army revolver.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Oh, I've heard of them. Just like I've heard of unicorns. Colt never made an 1851 Army revolver.

I know, but i've seen a Unicorn.

 

[Tumblernotch]

Oh, I've heard of them. Just like I've heard of unicorns. Colt never made an 1851 Army revolver.

I know, but i've seen a Unicorn.

You oughta send me some of whatever you're smokin'. :grin:

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Wow man!

That wasn't a Unicorn?

 

[east texas]

man that was a rhino! :rotf: was there an 1851 army?

 

[Tumblernotch]

Nope. However, the No.1 Dragoon was called the Old Model Holster Pistol and the No.'s 2 and 3 Dragoons were called Improved Holster Pistols and Old Model Army Pistols. The No. 1 was the Model of 1848, the No. 2 was the Model of 1849 and the No. 3 I believe was a Model of 1849 but with some changes such as being fitted for a detachable buttstock and the later ones had a leaf sight. The 3rd Model was pretty rare.

These pistols are the closest thing to the reproduction 1851 Old Model Army pistols that I've seen, only because they are .44 cal. and have round barrels. The No. 1 and No. 3 Dragoons have the same length barrel (7-1/2") as the '51 Navy but the No. 2 had an 8 inch barrel and weighed over 4 lbs. nearly the same as a Walker. The Navies averaged about 2 and a half pounds.

 

[poordevil]

Who makes this reproduction 1851 army? I have never hear of it till now. Are you talking about those .44cal. brass framed pistols built to look like the 1851 navy?

P

 

[Tumblernotch]

It's been a long time since I saw one, but I remember seeing a steel frame Colt in .44 that was called a '51 Army. I believe that Navy Arms sold them. I have one of those brass framed "Confederate" Colts that I bought over 30 years ago. It's pretty much a copy of the Griswold & Gunnison, though it's a .44 instead of a .36. If I haven't thrown it away, I should have an old catalogue that shows the steel frame reproduction. When I bought mine at a local BP shop, I had a choice between a steel frame .44, a brass frame .44, a Navy or a New Model Army. The brass frame was the cheapest and I was only about 19, so that's what I got.
I've not seen any listed anywhere, but I do remember seeing '51 Army repros and have heard of them. The only difference between it and the Navy was the caliber and the barrel shape.

 

[bdhutier]

These pistols are the closest thing to the reproduction 1851 Old Model Army pistols that I've seen,...

I read somewhere the Walker was re-designated the Old Model Army once the Dragoon was released.

 

[poordevil]

OK So the reference as to the 1851 Army .44cal is referring to a replica. No colt revolver was call an 1851 Army. That is just marketing names for replicas?
p

 

[bdhutier]

Wouldn't be a surprise to me. The real name of the '51 Navy is, "Revolving Belt Pistol in Naval Caliber." I believe the original name of the '60 Army was, "Improved Holster Pistol of Army Caliber."