Confederate Revolvers

[Alex]

It's been years since I've purchased a brass frame revolver, but this afternoon I couldn't resist the purchase of one of Cabela's 1851 Reb revolvers, a brass frame copy of the 1851 navy in 44 caliber. Due to an excellent sale I walked out the door with one new in the box for $51.00. I've been reading up on the history of Confederate pistols and I have yet to find one exactly like this, but I don't think it out of the realm of possibility that it could have happened. I plan on refinishing it to something more like what would have rolled out of a factory such as the Augusta Machine Works. My thoughts are either a browned or rust blued finish, to replace the shiny blue and a satin finished brass frame to take the place of the bright buffed finish it currently wears. Of course all the nasty markings will dissappear in the process and I might even stamp (the correct) serial numbers on the frame and cylinder like some of the originals that I have seen. The grips would also get attention in the form of an oil finish. All in all it should turn out to be a fun project and an interesting gun for the occasional sunday out plinking (though I'm aware of the possiblity of shooting a brass frame loose). Anyone else out there own any brass frame revolvers?

 

[4v50 Gary]

I bought a Navy Arms Colt kit once and assembled and finished it. Then I gave it away to a friend for Xmas.

 

[RON in PA]

The Confederate brass-framed copies of the Colt 1851 were 36 cal. The 44 cal "Navies" are strictly a modern design.

 

[Alex]

They may be a modern concept, but considering the number of oddball revolvers turned out by the South during the Civil War I wouldn't bet money that somebody didn't try and turn out a 44, and in any event it's an interesting pistol that has the flavor of the South. I've seen pictures of a colt prototype 51' in 40 caliber, 44 wouldn't have been too much further up the road.