1851 cartridge conversion .38

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I had a cartridge conversion set up on a brass frame, but I was never really happy with the brass. When I came across a steel 1851 frame I decided to swap it in. I was planning on a straight transfer; same gun, just with a steel frame. You can guess what happened... in the end only the cylinder, barrel and hammer were retained, so it's basically a whole new gun.


The barrle is 1-13/16" long and based on the profile of an antique 'Avenging Angel.' The trigger guard and grip frame are modified into a short 'Bisley'-style grip. The custom grips are Quilted Maple, hand-sanded to 3000-grit before being finished with several coats of lacquer. Took a bit of fiddling to get all the parts to work and play well together, and there is still some final finishing to do, but the results are quite satisfactory. Lock-up is dead tight, and the cylinder gap is .004". The caliber is .38 Short Colt... almost. The Colt brass is .765" and .38 S&W brass is .80", and since the cartridge uses a heel-base .375 bullet and a straight-bored chamber I just went ahead and used .38 S&W brass. I'm using Triple-7 for powder, and it seems to work well.

One good thing is that it fits in it's predecessor's case, and all the accessories still do their jobs just fine.

I've test-fired it in the shop, but I almost can't wait to get it to a proper gun range and shoot it properly.

 

[Tallball]

Another beauty!

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Needs a red dot.

 

[.38 Special]

Needs a red dot.

Laser grips, I say.

 

[Johnm1]

Four sided tactical rail so you can mount a red dot, laser, flashlight and cup holder! Surely MTP could figure a way to mount that rail on that barrel.

Really, your work is astounding. True art in blued steel and wood. Man, that sounds like a really good book title. Get the hint MTP?

 

[Sneakshot92]

I had a cartridge conversion set up on a brass frame, but I was never really happy with the brass. When I came across a steel 1851 frame I decided to swap it in. I was planning on a straight transfer; same gun, just with a steel frame. You can guess what happened... in the end only the cylinder, barrel and hammer were retained, so it's basically a whole new gun.

View attachment 914034 View attachment 914035
The barrle is 1-13/16" long and based on the profile of an antique 'Avenging Angel.' The trigger guard and grip frame are modified into a short 'Bisley'-style grip. The custom grips are Quilted Maple, hand-sanded to 3000-grit before being finished with several coats of lacquer. Took a bit of fiddling to get all the parts to work and play well together, and there is still some final finishing to do, but the results are quite satisfactory. Lock-up is dead tight, and the cylinder gap is .004". The caliber is .38 Short Colt... almost. The Colt brass is .765" and .38 S&W brass is .80", and since the cartridge uses a heel-base .375 bullet and a straight-bored chamber I just went ahead and used .38 S&W brass. I'm using Triple-7 for powder, and it seems to work well.

One good thing is that it fits in it's predecessor's case, and all the accessories still do their jobs just fine.
View attachment 914036
I've test-fired it in the shop, but I almost can't wait to get it to a proper gun range and shoot it properly.

That quilted maple is rare wood to find. Beautiful stuff!

 

[Jessesky]

These are amazing. I’ve seen your work before. Do you ever make these for customers?
*Hint Hint, Wink Wink*

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

These are amazing. I’ve seen your work before. Do you ever make these for customers?
*Hint Hint, Wink Wink*

I make these for customers... the guns are just a hobby. Still, there's some things I might take on... PM me if you have something specific in mind.

 

[silvermane_1]

I had a cartridge conversion set up on a brass frame, but I was never really happy with the brass. When I came across a steel 1851 frame I decided to swap it in. I was planning on a straight transfer; same gun, just with a steel frame. You can guess what happened... in the end only the cylinder, barrel and hammer were retained, so it's basically a whole new gun.

View attachment 914034 View attachment 914035
The barrle is 1-13/16" long and based on the profile of an antique 'Avenging Angel.' The trigger guard and grip frame are modified into a short 'Bisley'-style grip. The custom grips are Quilted Maple, hand-sanded to 3000-grit before being finished with several coats of lacquer. Took a bit of fiddling to get all the parts to work and play well together, and there is still some final finishing to do, but the results are quite satisfactory. Lock-up is dead tight, and the cylinder gap is .004". The caliber is .38 Short Colt... almost. The Colt brass is .765" and .38 S&W brass is .80", and since the cartridge uses a heel-base .375 bullet and a straight-bored chamber I just went ahead and used .38 S&W brass. I'm using Triple-7 for powder, and it seems to work well.

One good thing is that it fits in it's predecessor's case, and all the accessories still do their jobs just fine.
View attachment 914036
I've test-fired it in the shop, but I almost can't wait to get it to a proper gun range and shoot it properly.

Nice there Tinker.