Interesting Little Gun

[jmar]

I saw this little gun on Gun Broker: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/578032758

And i have a few questions about it, first of all what is it? It says it's a 1849 Wells Fargo but it doesn't look like any others iv'e seen.

Secondly assuming it is a Wells Fargo, it looks like it's had its forcing cone ground off to fit a longer cylinder. Is this the case? And have you guys ever seen this done before? It actually seems like a great way to get more power out of your gun. Last question, is the forcing cone actually important? Or is there any reason you shouldn't grind it down?

 

[dickydalton]

That looks like something someone slapped together to make someone else believe that it's a valuable relic. That "system" stamped on the frame wasn't put there in the 1860s, I'd bet.

 

[Fingers McGee]

Révolver système Colt fabrication Belge

Belgian made Colt clone of the period. There are Belgian proof marks all over it.

Here is another example:
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/...-revolver-systeme-colt-fabrication-belge.html

At some point in it's life it got a strap iron back strap & poorly fitted grips.

 

[desidog]

Not a Wells Fargo, as it has a dovetail cut for the loading lever catch.... not sure that's a Colt at all. The barrel may be, but the frame isn't marked "Colt's Patent" and the grip angle is just wrong. It seems the back strap has seen some re-engineering too. Possibly a contemporary copy.

 

[Gordon]

yup Belgian clone, the frame and cylinder shape are off from original.