What to look for in a used Pietta 1858?

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Fat_46

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I'll be taking a look at a used Pietta 1858 tomorrow afternoon. Aside from bore condition(and overall condition for that matter) what do i need to pay particular attention to with these revolvers?

The seller state he bought it on a whim, and fired 20 rounds through it. It also comes with a ton of other stuff(pound of Pyrodex P, powder measure, flask, round ball, percussion caps, leather flap holster, etc.)

I would also like to know the general price range for this package, if possible!

Thanks in advance!
 
drag your thumb on the cylinder while cocking it through all 6 chambers and make sure the cylinder bolt locks the cylinder before the hammer reaches full cock, or at the same time. YOu don't want the hammer locking before the cylinder.

Also make sure the bolt locks every time, cocked fast or slow, etc. My new pietta doesn't. :rolleyes:

New steel-framed ones have been on sale for $179 lately, so price yours accordingly, and add the goodies.
 
Be sure you have a flashlight or a bit of white card so you can pull out the cylinder and check the bore for corrosion or properley bright and clean condition. If he didn't know about the need to clean away the Pyrodex fouling then it could be badly rusted inside. Otherwise 1K pretty much nailed it all for mechanical functioning.
 
Thanks all - I'll bring my bore light, and the "drag test" is great info! I hadn't thought about the lockup timing, either. He's asking $200, which seems to be right in line for all the "stuff" included, as long as the condition is good.
 
Good price. I'd remove the cylinder pin & cylinder also. Then check the inside of the barrel.
 
I would also make sure the cylinder lines up properly with the barrel. Brand new to revolvers, and reproductions especially, I had an Armi San Marco 1858 where the cylinder was almost 1/8" off. I have seen a couple of Piettas with the same problem.
 
cabelas is selling a pietta 1858 on sale through Tuesday 6/26/12 for $199. this gun is a steel frame not brass framed gun....

they are on backorder but shipping should ocurr within 1 week.
 
Thanks again for all of the assistance. I now own a Pietta steel frame 1858! I took the cylinder out(a bit of a learning curve, but I figured it out), and ran a brush with CLP followed by a dry patch through. It came out oily, but still white!

Cylinder lockup was good, overall condition was very good, and the extra accessories sealed the deal for me.

Also - the seller gave me a piece of paper with this link on it: http: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=223515//, stating that's where he learned how to use it!
 
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