New guy, new project. Brass frame swap.

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ShotgunDave

ShotgunDave

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Hello everyone. I did a quick intro in the proper section but I decided to truly introduce myself here, with this new project.

I picked up this brass frame, "fantasy" 51 Navy in .44 caliber, practically for free. It was in a lot of other guns that I really wanted and felt were a great deal. This gun was just a bonus, so I figured it was worth the cost to swap the frame out. I found the frame on eBay and it was pretty inexpensive, (under $100). It's a 60 Army frame and has the stock cutouts. But at least it's steel!

752970-3140cabe331bf99165a2c28428637695.jpg

X7q59S

752971-450dafe98edd8b4cf1eb8dccf10ced99.jpg

I was very pleased with the fitment of parts on this Pietta. I know the newer guns are known for their good fitment of arbor to barrel, and this one was no exception, but the rest of the parts also went right together. The only thing I really had to do was fit the hammer to it's mounting point a little. A few pulls on the file and it fit nicely.

So here it is all put back together. In my eyes it's much better looking and I'm sure much stronger now. I can't wait to get it out and burn some powder in it!

752972-73e1800b87606b6b42032d4b2ac73b5b.jpg

Sorry for the busy background. I need to be more conscious of that. It may look good in person but the pics are distracting. I'll do better in the future. In the mean time, here's a little better one taken outside with a knife I made. They look good together.

752973-f755a80a20a4f21efe22733a74addd83.jpg

Thanks for looking and I look forward to posting and learning from you guys!
 
Last edited:
Well shoot! I obviously didn't put the picture tags in correctly. I'll see if I can fix it. Sorry for the technical difficulties.
 
Wow, that's a nice looking pistola.
I never loaded a cylinder on the frame, and that gun has a short lever.
Some folks use a lever extension to make ramming easier.
Slixshot offers an extension lever called the Slixhand that could help if you can't fashion a lever extension on your own:--->>> http://cowboybullets.com/SliXhand_p_43.html

So what are you going to do with the "desceased" brass frame?
 
Thank you arctic!

I have seen the Slixhand in Mike Belavieu's (sp) videos. I will have to get one. Even though the barrel is short on this one, the rammer isn't really hard to operate.

As for the "deceased" brasser, I'll probably move it on to someone else. I'll have no use for it now, except for maybe as a paperweight.
 
Well thank you Sir! The knife is one I'm making from a blank. It's still a work in progress. I thought it leant a bit of a period feel to the picture.
 
AlexanderA said:
You really lucked out in being able to find components that fit so well together. Congratulations!

(I'll have to check ebay again for BP parts.)
Click to expand...

Thank you! I was pretty amazed at how well the parts from the brass frame fit into the steel one. Even the barrel fits perfect.

If you look on eBay for the frame, they're listed as "black powder cylinder holder". I assume to get around the rule about selling firearms.
 
Here's another bit if info. for you.
THR has a sister website with a black powder forum that also has black powder classifieds, except they are located at the top of the black powder forum page.
It's named thefiringline.
They require 25 posts and 30 days before a member can post BP items for sale or trade.
A percentage of THR members also frequent that site.
Our moderator 4v50 Gary is also the BP moderator on TFL:--->>> https://thefiringline.com/forums/index.php
 
ShotgunDave said:
Hello everyone. I did a quick intro in the proper section but I decided to truly introduce myself here, with this new project.

I picked up this brass frame, "fantasy" 51 Navy in .44 caliber, practically for free. It was in a lot of other guns that I really wanted and felt were a great deal. This gun was just a bonus, so I figured it was worth the cost to swap the frame out. I found the frame on eBay and it was pretty inexpensive, (under $100). It's a 60 Army frame and has the stock cutouts. But at least it's steel!

I was very pleased with the fitment of parts on this Pietta. I know the newer guns are known for their good fitment of arbor to barrel, and this one was no exception, but the rest of the parts also went right together. The only thing I really had to do was fit the hammer to it's mounting point a little. A few pulls on the file and it fit nicely.

So here it is all put back together. In my eyes it's much better looking and I'm sure much stronger now. I can't wait to get it out and burn some powder in it!

Thanks for looking and I look forward to posting and learning from you guys!
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting and Welcome!

I am a fan of Pietta replica 1851 Navy .36 type pistols, and I will agree that Pietta parts are extremely interchangeable and, as you stated, the arbor to recess fit is very good ever since Pietta went to CNC machining ~2000. I have seven variations.

I will say that I don't care for the .44 versions of the 1851 Navy, but I think you were spot on getting an 1860 steel frame for the pistol. I personally don't care for the short barrel/load lever, but to each their own.

My only brasser, a Pietta Griswold & Gunnison .36 which I never shoot because it is a brasser.

Pietta-Griswold-Gunnison.jpg

My latest fulfilled project is a Pietta Leech & Rigdon .36.

Pietta-Leech-Rigdon.jpg

The only difference is the frame. Both are Pietta guns from 2015 or later.

I bought the Pietta barrel new from VTI last month and the load lever pivot area needed some fitting, and that is all.

Since you seem to have obtained that pistol as nearly free in a lot purchase, the $100 price for the steel frame is worth the price. You will pat yourself on the back for doing that. If the brass frame was a .36 (no cut water table) I know exactly who on this forum would want it and I would snatch it for him.

As in any other mechanical enterprise, parts are very spendy. My L&R barrel was $125 + shipping, so one had better really want it before spending the money.

Very nice steel gun, sir!

Jim
 
arcticap said:
Here's another bit if info. for you.
THR has a sister website with a black powder forum that also has black powder classifieds, except they are located at the top of the black powder forum page.
It's named thefiringline.
They require 25 posts and 30 days before a member can post BP items for sale or trade.
A percentage of THR members also frequent that site.
Our moderator 4v50 Gary is also the BP moderator on TFL:--->>> https://thefiringline.com/forums/index.php
Click to expand...

Thank you Sir. I'm always looking for like minded people and good information. I'll spend some time there tonight.
 
expat_alaska said:
the $100 price for the steel frame is worth the price.
Click to expand...
Looking over the ebay BP parts listings, it appears that the seller is taking new Italian repro guns and breaking them down for parts. This could be very lucrative since the sum of the prices for the parts greatly exceeds the price of the whole. He profits, but then so too do the buyers, who, like the OP, only need one or two parts.
 
expat_alaska said:
Thanks for posting and Welcome!

I am a fan of Pietta replica 1851 Navy .36 type pistols, and I will agree that Pietta parts are extremely interchangeable and, as you stated, the arbor to recess fit is very good ever since Pietta went to CNC machining ~2000. I have seven variations.

I will say that I don't care for the .44 versions of the 1851 Navy, but I think you were spot on getting an 1860 steel frame for the pistol. I personally don't care for the short barrel/load lever, but to each their own.

My only brasser, a Pietta Griswold & Gunnison .36 which I never shoot because it is a brasser.

View attachment 811043

My latest fulfilled project is a Pietta Leech & Rigdon .36.

View attachment 811044

The only difference is the frame. Both are Pietta guns from 2015 or later.

I bought the Pietta barrel new from VTI last month and the load lever pivot area needed some fitting, and that is all.

Since you seem to have obtained that pistol as nearly free in a lot purchase, the $100 price for the steel frame is worth the price. You will pat yourself on the back for doing that. If the brass frame was a .36 (no cut water table) I know exactly who on this forum would want it and I would snatch it for him.

As in any other mechanical enterprise, parts are very spendy. My L&R barrel was $125 + shipping, so one had better really want it before spending the money.

Very nice steel gun, sir!

Jim
Click to expand...

Thank you for the warm welcome.

I am not the biggest fan of the short "sheriff" models either. But they are fun to shoot. I also have one of the in the white engraved guns, and it's also a sheriff's model. The standard length (7 1/2") barrel gun I have is also engraved and has a blued backstrap and trigger guard. It's a beautiful gun, but it is also in .44 caliber.
full.jpg
full.jpg
full.jpg
I love your L&R! That is a gun I will build someday as well. The round/octagon barrel is beautiful to me. Probably why I also like the Dragoons.
 
ShotgunDave said:
Thank you for the warm welcome.

I am not the biggest fan of the short "sheriff" models either. But they are fun to shoot. I also have one of the in the white engraved guns, and it's also a sheriff's model. The standard length (7 1/2") barrel gun I have is also engraved and has a blued backstrap and trigger guard. It's a beautiful gun, but it is also in .44 caliber.
View attachment 811056
View attachment 811057
View attachment 811058
I love your L&R! That is a gun I will build someday as well. The round/octagon barrel is beautiful to me. Probably why I also like the Dragoons.
Click to expand...
Hey i have that engraved pistol as well! Ain't it nice?
 
I also did this frame swap but still need to fiddle with it. Where did you file on the hammer?
The grip strap isn't a perfect fit to the frame on mine.

35400295820_cc06452d4b_b.jpg

I've put it off to the side for a future project.
 
AlexanderA said:
Looking over the ebay BP parts listings, it appears that the seller is taking new Italian repro guns and breaking them down for parts. This could be very lucrative since the sum of the prices for the parts greatly exceeds the price of the whole. He profits, but then so too do the buyers, who, like the OP, only need one or two parts.
Click to expand...

I agree. That is also why places like VTI stay in business.

Jim
 
drobs said:
I also did this frame swap but still need to fiddle with it. Where did you file on the hammer?
The grip strap isn't a perfect fit to the frame on mine.

View attachment 811162

I've put it off to the side for a future project.
Click to expand...

Hi drobs,

I see that the barrel is a Pietta, but what manufacturer made the frame? Are the BS, TG, and wood from the original Pietta brasser?

I copied, enlarged, and sharpened your photo. I see no frame proof marks or date code on the right side of the frame, whereas the barrel and cylinder have proof marks. Insofar as the BS fit to the frame is wrong because I think the frame might be from an older Navy Arms kit gun (or similar), before CNC and it has some factory marks in two places on the right side that I am not familiar with. I do not believe the frame is a Pietta. The barrel lug to frame does not match properly and the frame seems to be situated a bit lower on the arbor, so that may account for the BS to frame mismatch. A bit of file work/sanding/polishing on the top of the BS would be fairly straightforward as all of the screws line up allowing it to be assembled as a functional pistol. The BS is only a few thousandths too high where it contacts the frame.

What is the arbor to arbor recess fit like?

I am just guessing and tossing out comments, FWIW. You are a good guy and I thoroughly enjoy your posts.

Jim
 
drobs said:
I also did this frame swap but still need to fiddle with it. Where did you file on the hammer?
The grip strap isn't a perfect fit to the frame on mine.

View attachment 811162

I've put it off to the side for a future project.
Click to expand...

drobs, I had seen the picture of your gun in another thread, and had hoped I wouldn't run into the same problem. Thankfully I didn't. As for the hammer, I just had to run a file in the slot that it rides in, in the frame. It just had some rough marks in it and was causing the hammer to drag.

Your gun looks great. It could be a twin to mine.
 
expat_alaska said:
Thanks for posting and Welcome!

I am a fan of Pietta replica 1851 Navy .36 type pistols, and I will agree that Pietta parts are extremely interchangeable and, as you stated, the arbor to recess fit is very good ever since Pietta went to CNC machining ~2000. I have seven variations.

I will say that I don't care for the .44 versions of the 1851 Navy, but I think you were spot on getting an 1860 steel frame for the pistol. I personally don't care for the short barrel/load lever, but to each their own.

My only brasser, a Pietta Griswold & Gunnison .36 which I never shoot because it is a brasser.

View attachment 811043



My latest fulfilled project is a Pietta Leech & Rigdon .36.

View attachment 811044

The only difference is the frame. Both are Pietta guns from 2015 or later.

I bought the Pietta barrel new from VTI last month and the load lever pivot area needed some fitting, and that is all.

Since you seem to have obtained that pistol as nearly free in a lot purchase, the $100 price for the steel frame is worth the price. You will pat yourself on the back for doing that. If the brass frame was a .36 (no cut water table) I know exactly who on this forum would want it and I would snatch it for him.

As in any other mechanical enterprise, parts are very spendy. My L&R barrel was $125 + shipping, so one had better really want it before spending the money.

Very nice steel gun, sir!

Jim
Click to expand...

Very nice, I'm wanting to build a Leech and Rigdon. Trying to get my hands on another G&G for the cylinder and barrel and trade onto a 51 frame. I figure then I can just sell the brass frame navy for whatever I can get out of it.
 
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