Prettiest Cap and Ball

[Ponderosaman]

After joining this site to get advice and help with my shotgun, I notice how cap and ball revolvers are relatively inexpensive for twice the fun of modern pistols. The only reservation I have is that the length and general appearance, escpecially that dip down to the barrel on top are not pleasing to my eye. I am certain that many among you would disagree with me vehemently, but I am wondering what pistol functions in all ways like a regular cap and ball, including the attached ramrod, access hole under the cylinder, but has that nice look of a more modern pistol like a cattleman. Part of the problem I guess is that I would prefer a larger caliber gun and that generally seems to increase the barrel length. Not being down on these pistols at all just looking for my nirvana.

 

[bubba.50]

The 'prettiest' would be the 1860 Colt but it has the open top you seem not to like. The most accessible/affordable with your solid frame requirement would be the 1858 Remington. The 'best' solid frame would be the Ruger Old Army but be prepared to pay if you want one of those.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Is the "Cattleman" the cap & ball revolver that looks like a Colt Model P? If that is "the look" that you prefer, by all means get one and shoot it! These are not very traditional, but the same could be said for a lot of the mass-produced long arms that we discuss here.

It is my understanding that the cylinder must be removed from that type of revolver for loading, as there is no loading lever, and you'll probably want a loading press of some sort. There are one or two active threads on this forum discussing loading presses.

However, if you want opinions on the best looking percussion revolver, mine is that the Colt London Navy would be hard to beat. The 1860 Army Colt would also be a strong contender, but I really like the look of the Navy's octagonal barrel.

This reminds me of the old "Gilligan's Island" question... Maryanne, or Ginger?

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[bubba.50]

Is the "Cattleman" the cap & ball revolver that looks like a Colt Model P? If that is "the look" that you prefer, by all means get one and shoot it! These are not very traditional, but the same could be said for a lot of the mass-produced long arms that we discuss here.

It is my understanding that the cylinder must be removed from that type of revolver for loading, as there is no loading lever, and you'll probably want a loading press of some sort. There are one or two active threads on this forum discussing loading presses.

However, if you want opinions on the best looking percussion revolver, mine is that the Colt London Navy would be hard to beat. The 1860 Army Colt would also be a strong contender, but I really like the look of the Navy's octagonal barrel.

This reminds me of the old "Gilligan's Island" question... Maryanne, or Ginger?

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

No contest there, Maryanne all the way.

 

[Ponderosaman]

The 'prettiest' would be the 1860 Colt but it has the open top you seem not to like. The most accessible/affordable with your solid frame requirement would be the 1858 Remington. The 'best' solid frame would be the Ruger Old Army but be prepared to pay if you want one of those.

No, actually, I really like the open top look. The dip down that I was referring to was where the top frame dips down to the barrel. I think we might be on our way to a winner. @Notchy Bob I also like that navy. If I can get it with a shorter barrel and in stainless steel, I think that would be the one. What I like about blackpowder muzzleloaders is the fiddling with stuff, the smoke and the nostaligia in that order, so correct to period isn't as important. Definitely don't need to de-farb. And yes, I would like to be able to load in the field as well as on the bench with a press if that is possible with these open top guns.

 

[Notchy Bob]

No contest there, Maryanne all the way.

You'll get no argument from me on that!

In fairness, though, I guess we should have included Mrs. Howell. She might be just the gal for some folks... You never know...

Notchy Bob

 

[Woody Morgan]

On a desert island, any port in a storm.

wm

 

[JohnnieT]

I love the proportions of the Rogers and Spencer, and the LeMat in its various forms pushes my buttons, too. For sheer simplistic elegance, however, I think the Colt 1860 Army and 1861 Navy are just lovely.

 

[Old Hawkeye]

I call my London Navy Colt, Ginger & my Rogers & Spencer, Maryanne. Just like the show, it's hard to pick. Get the loading press! RMC OxYoke press will do both 36 & 44 & it's about $40 shipped to your door. It's impossible to own just "one" C&B revolver, IMHO.

 

[springfield art]

You'll get no argument from me on that!

In fairness, though, I guess we should have included Mrs. Howell. She might be just the gal for some folks... You never know...

Notchy Bob

Copy that on Mary Ann....

 

[springfield art]

I love the proportions of the Rogers and Spencer, and the LeMat in its various forms pushes my buttons, too. For sheer simplistic elegance, however, I think the Colt 1860 Army and 1861 Navy are just lovely.

Every hand is different; I love my R&S but find the "feel" awkward, it's just kinda clunky; Copy that on the 1860 and 1861!

 

[springfield art]

Is the "Cattleman" the cap & ball revolver that looks like a Colt Model P? If that is "the look" that you prefer, by all means get one and shoot it! These are not very traditional, but the same could be said for a lot of the mass-produced long arms that we discuss here.

It is my understanding that the cylinder must be removed from that type of revolver for loading, as there is no loading lever, and you'll probably want a loading press of some sort. There are one or two active threads on this forum discussing loading presses.

However, if you want opinions on the best looking percussion revolver, mine is that the Colt London Navy would be hard to beat. The 1860 Army Colt would also be a strong contender, but I really like the look of the Navy's octagonal barrel.

This reminds me of the old "Gilligan's Island" question... Maryanne, or Ginger?

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

Ginger a little too fancy, love that Maryanne! More 'approachable' and down to Earth! Fun show!

 

[bubba.50]

No, actually, I really like the open top look. The dip down that I was referring to was where the top frame dips down to the barrel. I think we might be on our way to a winner. @Notchy Bob I also like that navy. If I can get it with a shorter barrel and in stainless steel, I think that would be the one. What I like about blackpowder muzzleloaders is the fiddling with stuff, the smoke and the nostaligia in that order, so correct to period isn't as important. Definitely don't need to de-farb. And yes, I would like to be able to load in the field as well as on the bench with a press if that is possible with these open top guns.

Don’t know if anybody makes it in stainless but there’s two nickle-plated engraved models with 5 inch barrels on gunbroker.

 

[rafterob]

I can't believe someone revived the Ginger-Marianne debate. Dang, I'll be thinking about that for months now!

 

[JohnnieT]

Marianne. Hands down winner every time!

 

[Sam squanch]

Mrs Howell. She’s RICH!

 

[Ponderosaman]

Like Hemingway’s quote about heaven and since it’s all hypothetical, all three and none would know that I was with the other two.

The cattleman is based on the 1873 single action army. I notice when looking at it that it has the dip down to the barrel that I’m complaining about on the cap and ball pistols. It must be the extra length and extra hardware required for loading that is unpleasant to my eye.

 

[Whitworth]

My favorite to shoot is the 1851 Colt Navy but the 1860 Colt has the slickest lines. My first revolver was an1858 Remington NMA copy and I liked it until I got a couple Colts. From then on the Remington NMA seemed a little clumsy in the hand compared to the sleeker open top Colts. YMMV

 

[TreeMan]

Ruger old army but they aren’t cheap. They don’t look much like the originals but you asked for a more modern look and the Ruger meets that criteria. I love shooting the reproductions but out of the box none of them will hold a candle to a Ruger OA.

 

[Ponderosaman]

Ruger old army but they aren’t cheap. They don’t look much like the originals but you asked for a more modern look and the Ruger meets that criteria. I love shooting the reproductions but out of the box none of them will hold a candle to a Ruger OA.

That’s sexy, 5.5 inch barrel one. A nod to the past with a “Wild Wild West” look. I’ll keep looking but I think we have a winner.