Pietta 1861 Caliber conversion

[RoadKill_RPD]

I think I already know the answer, but I'm gonna ask a dumb newbie question. From what I can tell, there's no difference in parts between the .36 and .44 Pietta 1861. Is it possible to convert the .36 to a .44 by replacing the cylinder and barrel assembly?

 

[Trot]

No such animal as a Pietta 1861 in .44. If you mean the 1860 Army in .44 then no it won't work. The .44 cylinder is stepped up on the forward part to accommodate the larger caliber and the frame is notched for the cylinder. If you mean 1851 instead of 1861 then the answer is the same, won't work.

 

[Jappo]

You can convert a 44 to 36 but not vice versa. An 1860 was made on the frame of an 1851. The cylinder was rebated and the table was cut to fit the larger cylinder. The 1861 cylinder and barrel will interchange with the 1851. A lot of people get confused with the Italian 1851 in 44. They make both in steel and brass frames. Some even have the 1860 barrel on a brass frame.

 

[RoadKill_RPD]

OK. That's what I was thinking. I could go from .44 to .36 but not the reverse. Thanks!

 

[RoadKill_RPD]

An 1860 was made on the frame of an 1851.

The 1861 cylinder and barrel will interchange with the 1851. A lot of people get confused with the Italian 1851 in 44. They make both in steel and brass frames. Some even have the 1860 barrel on a brass frame.

Looking at the 1851 and 1861 frames, they appear to be the same. I asked a question about the differences between the two elsewhere in this forum and the answer I received was they are essentially the same frame. I saw where the frame is rebated for the .44 cylinder in one of the pictures that were posted in the response. Not gonna try it, but was just curious for educational purposes. Thanks!

 

[Jappo]

Looking at the 1851 and 1861 frames, they appear to be the same. I asked a question about the differences between the two elsewhere in this forum and the answer I received was they are essentially the same frame. I saw where the frame is rebated for the .44 cylinder in one of the pictures that were posted in the response. Not gonna try it, but was just curious for educational purposes. Thanks!

The 1861 is a looks like the 1860 with the shoulder stock notches on the recoil shield and the extra screws. The loading lever is also like the 1860, called a creeping lever. And of course the round barrel.

 

[RoadKill_RPD]

My 1861 doesn't have shoulder stock notches. At least none that I am aware of. Same with the extra screws. It is a Pietta if that makes any difference.

 

[Jappo]

Cimarron has the Uberti called the Civilian model. It doesn't have the cutouts or screws. Probably Pietta made the same. I think they also have the 1860 in Civilian model.
Mine is the London model. Has the black steel trigger guard and back strap. I also have the 1861 without the cutouts and extra screws. Brass guard and back strap with the 1860 grips.
You can take the 1851 frame and add the round barrel and "viola" an 1861