Reproduction Colt 1860 ID

[RS1860]

I have a reproduction Colt 1860 Army that has a brass frame and a 7.75" barrel. The receiver is engraved and it has a shorter grip than most 1860's. I'm trying to figure out who made this. It is marked made in Italy and has 3 screws in the receiver. The other side of the barrel is marked, Model 1860 Army .44 Cal. There is an AH and PN on the receiver.

 

[SDC]

The "AH" shows this revolver was made in 1981, and the "PN" is a standard Italian black-powder proof, so you need to find the logo of the manufacturer, which is usually on the bottom of the grip, the frame, or the barrel (usually hidden under the loading lever).

 

[RS1860]

Thanks for the info! Iv'e been looking for pictures online of brass framed 1860's and haven't seen an engraved one like mine. The logo is on the right side of the frame and looks like crossed long guns with a crown maybe. It's hard to tell what it is. This is unfired as of now but I will be changing that hopefully soon

 

[swathdiver]

It's likely an Armi San Marco aka ASM. How about some photos?

 

[RS1860]

 

[Fingers McGee]

Look under the loading lever. Grips look like an Armi San Paolo or Euroarms, so there would be a DGG in a circle under the barrel. It could also be a PR or GLB maker. Are there any markings on the bottom of the backstrap?

The crossed rifles and PN stampings are proof marks. What markings are on the bottom of the frame barrel lug? A picture of that area would be good to see.

 

[RS1860]

I found a DGG in a circle on the bottom of the barrel/lug area. It's right where the serial number is where it meets the frame. So what is this thing? I'm not familiar with DGG. Thank you for the input

 

[SDC]

"DGG" should be Armi San Paulo, which are also sold as "Euroarms".

 

[Fingers McGee]

See post 6

 

[Hellgate]

Looks like you have an Army with Navy grips. I have a similar (non engraved) steel framed ASM that was sold as a 44cal 1861 Navy. Go figure. I like it though and pair it up with my other 44 cal ASM octagonal barrel Navies.

 

[RS1860]

So this is a 1860 Army with Navy grips, 7.75" barrel instead of 8. Made in 1981. I noticed that the chamber mouths are chamfered unlike my Pietta. How does 25g of FFF sound under a .454 ball for a good charge with this brass frame?

 

[Hellgate]

Euroarms chamfers thier chamber mouths (at least all the Remington Euroarms guns I've had were chamfered). I'd say 25 grs is a MAXIMUM load for a 44 brasser. I shoot no more than 20grs FFFg in my brassers. I use a lube wad as a filler so the load sets firmly on the powder.

 

[RS1860]

20 grains and a wad it is. I have a steel frame 1860 as well so I can use that for the heavier loads. Thanks again to all for the knowledge and info!

 

[RS1860]

Well, I got out and shot this today for the first time. 20 grains is barely enough to seat the ball against the powder with a wad. I tried up to 25 of Goex FFF for a few rounds but decided not to stress it too much. Either way it shoots about 10 inches plus high at 25 yards. At 25 to 30 yards my best group was about 4 inches offhand using my cast round balls. I noticed they are way easier to seat and don't shave a lead ring like my Piettta probably because of the chamfered cylinder. Anyway, I thought I'd give an update and it was a blast to shoot!

 

[Hellgate]

The chamfering makes the bullet swage into the chamber rather than be sheared to fit. I don't know if that affects accuracy or not. You might want to get thicker wads or use a filler like cream of wheat or corn meal. See link below for a good source of wads. I get the 45cal 1/2" wads and then lube & split them. My lube is 50/50 beeswax and olive oil. They are made of fiber but really scour out the bore and chambers. Cream of wheat & corn meal will do that too.. I used to have one flask for powder and another for cream of wheat. I was always amazed how clean the barrel was after shooting.

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