51 Navy?

[higene]

I have found a 51 Navy. It appears to have a silver plated frame (I'd guess nickle but the ones I've seen are different). Does anyone know anything about these guns?

Your help is appreciated.



Higene

 

[Tommygunn]

It looks like it might be an older F.lli Pietta 1851 Navy repro. If the TG and BS are silver plated it was intended probably as a repro of a civilian 1851 rather than a military.
It is possible a early owner might have had it plated rather than Pietta ... dunno.

BTW "F.lli Pietta" is an Italian abbreviation for "Fratelli Pietta," which is "Pietta Brothers" in Italian.
Most people will just call it "Pietta."

 

[Fingers McGee]

It is definitely a Pietta. The FAP in the diamond on the backstrap is a dead giveaway. Backstrap and triggerguard are more than likely nickel plated. Pietta, Uberti, ASM and others produced them with plated, plain brass, or blued iron BS/TG; same a Colt did. There should be a date code on the right side of the frame or the underlug of the barrel. It'll be either a Roman Numeral or two letters in a box.

 

[higene]

51 Navy

It has an AI in a box, small crossed swords (possibly an 'X' in a box) with an 'O' over the box - on the frame and the same mark on the barrel, and a PN with an asterik over it.

The reason that I think that it is silver is that there are places where it is tarnished and it cleans up like silver. I don't think that nickel would do that.

 

[mykeal]

AI = made in 1982

"crossed swords in a box with an O over the box" and "PN with an asterisk over it" = Italian proof marks

And as Fingers said, FAP in a diamond = made by Pietta

 

[ElvinWarrior]

Higene,

As all the others have so carefully and expertly pointed out, it is an F. LLI. Pietta. They make a good quality, but not the high end models, of reproduction Itallian made BP guns. It is a good, serviceable gun, that with basic care and cleaning will last well beyond your own lifetime, just as the originals have. It is in excellant condition, looking as if it was valued by it's prior owner, and well cared for. I am not an expert on the value of reproduction guns, but, in my estimation it could fetch the same price as a new one costs today, which is somewhere between $250.00 - $325.00 or so. Not an excessively collectable or valuable gun, but certainly a nice one, that should be a fun gun to have an own.

Congratulations on your find, Very nice piece !!!

Sincerely,

ElvinWarrior... aka... David, "EW"

Here is one, all dandified up, that goes for around $325.00 new out of the box... (I want a pair of these myself, with custom made white patent leather flap over holsters... sort of a Wild Bill get-up!!)

 

[Fingers McGee]

The reason that I think that it is silver is that there are places where it is tarnished and it cleans up like silver. I don't think that nickel would do that.

Nickel will tarnish like silver. But, the Blue Book listing says it's silver. As to value, latest Blue Book (2011) lists Pietta steel framed 1851 Navies with silver plated BS/TG as follows:

MSR $329
100% - $297
98% - $277
90% - $232
80% - $192

 

[higene]

51 Navy

Thanks all for the input. I shot it today. Good grouping but high and wide.

I ordered some Tesoro nipples as Mykel always advises.

when I get 'er tuned up I will post some Pix.

 

[junkman_01]

I think you mean TRESO nipples, right?

 

[higene]

Yo - One of them there Italian Companies.

:banghead:

 

[mykeal]

Treso products are made, and have always been made, in the USA.

 

[ElvinWarrior]

***noise deleted***

LOL !!!

Sincerely,

ElvinWarrior... aka... David, "EW"