E-mail Response From Pietta

[expat_alaska]

On a whim, I sent an e-mail to Pietta 2 weeks ago asking them if they would consider producing a Rigdon & Ansley .36 and also a Dance .36 (they produce a Dance .44).

To my great surprise, I received a response from them yesterday!

My request:

"I own 6 different Pietta 1851 Navy type revolvers created from 3 basic models: an 1851 Navy steel-framed .36 (to which I added a Pietta squareback trigger guard) to create a 2nd Model Navy (2014 [CM]), a brass-framed Griswold and Gunnison .36 (2015 [CN]), and an 1851 Navy steel-framed .36 (2016 [CP]). All of the parts are CNC-machined so I have no problem with interchanging barrels, frames, and cylinders to create other models: a Leech and Rigdon, a Schneider and Glassick, and a (fantasy) 1851 Navy Dragoon .36 with a squareback trigger guard (with the G&G barrel and the smooth cylinder).

I have purchased (from VTI in the USA) a spare Pietta 1851 Navy plain (no engraving) .36 caliber cylinder that my machinist friend can mill another 6 stop-slots so that I can create a replica Confederate Rigdon and Ansley using a Pietta 1851 Navy steel frame and the barrel from the G&G for my next project. I believe it would be no problem for Pietta to create a Rigdon and Ansley revolver with a 12-stop cylinder and a part octagon/part round barrel like the G&G. No one else produces one, and Pietta seems to be on the cutting edge of highly collectible percussion revolvers.

I have downloaded your current catalog.

I know Pietta produces a J.H. Dance .44 caliber revolver on a modified 1851 Navy steel frame. It has a larger diameter cylinder than the 1851 Navy .36 caliber cylinder, but it is not rebated.

Since I very much like Pietta quality and the opportunity to exchange parts between the various pistols, I would urge you to produce a Dance .36 caliber revolver based upon the standard 1851 Navy steel frame. I believe it would be less expensive to produce than your .44 caliber version. I know personally of many people who would be very interested in purchasing that .36 caliber version.

If you don’t wish to produce one, I will have to resort to milling off the recoil shields of a Pietta 1851 Navy steel frame and applying new case colors to the frame, which I can do with Kasenit and oil. I will then have to exchange the barrel to the part octagon/part round barrel and a non-engraved cylinder from the G&G.

Please consider producing one, even if it is a short run. Among the replica collecting fraternity in the US, the Pietta name has become the standard insofar as different pistol models.

Please reply to me if you would do so.

Thank you for your valuable time."

Pietta's response:


"Dear Sir,

Thank you for your e-mail. We do appreciate your owning 6 different 1851 Navy type of our make. Congratulation for your ability to create different models atarting from a base model. You really must have a passionate and expert collector and a deep connoisseur of the black powder guns.

Your idea of the Rigdon and Ansley is very interesting. We have made some internet researches but could find very little. Could you please give us some more details, features or links of this model so that we can understand in full how this model is made ?

Regarding the Dance revolvers, yes, we make the .44 caliber version. However we could also make the 36 caliber Dance revolver. The problem is that we do not have enough demand for this caliber. You say that you know personally of many people who would be very interested in purchasing that .36 caliber version and we believe you. We will go deeper into this project and let you know about our decision once it has been made. Obviously you will understand that we cannot invest some money just to make 50 or 100 Dance .36 cal in a year. However we eill also talk to our Importer and Distributors and let you know asap about their replies.

Once again, we thank you very much for your kind e-mail and we look forward to receiveing additional information regarding the new models you taled about in your e-mail.

Best regards,

Alfonso Puzzo
Export Manager

F.A.P. FABBRICA ARMI F.LLI PIETTA
di Pietta Giuseppe & C. Srl
Via Mandolossa, 102
25064 Gussago (BS)
Italy
Tel 030-3737098
Fax 030-3737100
E-mail : [email protected]
www.pietta.it"


I sent Mr. Puzzo these links:

http://www.littlegun.info/arme americaine/revolver confedere/a revolver confedere leech gb.htm

http://www.littlegun.info/arme americaine/revolver confedere/a revolver confedere dance gb.htm

Maybe there IS light at the end of the tunnel and it's not a train.

Jim

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Hi Jim,
Wow they were really actually interested in what you had to say!
AMAZING.
Do they take pre-orders?
Did you see EMF's 12" 1851 in .44 "Buntline" in their Grandparent's Day Long and Short (pepperbox) email?
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1851-Navy-Brass-Buntline-c141.htm
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1851-Navy-Pepperbox-c527.htm
I wonder if they make a 12" barrel in .36.
I have seen old Pietta 12" 1851's combined with a stock but I can't recall the caliber.
Two more barrels for your collection.
Or, when you finish your .36 collection, you could start on .44's.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

If I recall correctly, the Rigdon and Ansley's extra 6 slots were like safeties for carrying all six chambers loaded.
Will any thing be required internally to get the cylinder stop to engage the new locations between chambers?

 

[expat_alaska]

Hi Jim,
Wow they were really actually interested in what you had to say!
AMAZING.

Yes, I was astounded that I got what I perceive as a somewhat positive reply.

Do they take pre-orders?

Well, I didn't ask, but I would say no. I think everything they ship to the US have to go through Customs and their distributors (like Taylor's, VTI, DGW, et al) is where you would have to purchase it from. That's what the procedure was when I ordered the 1851 Navy squareback TG from VTI and it took 3 months from the time that I sent VTI funds for it until I received it.

Did you see EMF's 12" 1851 in .44 "Buntline" in their Grandparent's Day Long and Short (pepperbox) email?
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1851-Navy-Brass-Buntline-c141.htm
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1851-Navy-Pepperbox-c527.htm

Pietta does seem to diversify into the "fantasy" realm and that is why I appealed to them to consider producing something that is more historically correct like the R&A and the Dance. I have no idea where they came up with the 1851 Navy "pepperbox", but if they can market such a non-entity, my suggestions should not be a stretch.

I wonder if they make a 12" barrel in .36.
I have seen old Pietta 12" 1851's combined with a stock but I can't recall the caliber.

I have not seen a .36 12" barrel for a Pietta 1851 Navy type pistol, but they may be out there. As I cannot afford a Pietta shoulder stock (~$295) I have little interest in one unless some generous soul wants to gift me.

Two more barrels for your collection.
Or, when you finish your .36 collection, you could start on .44's.

As I am into basically historic replicas of the 1851 Navy type pistols, I cannot go with the .44 rebated cylinder/cut water table models. I don't care if mine have Italian markings and I am not into defarbed/antiqued guns. I don't have the funds to get into the 1851 .44 guns on SS even if I wanted to.

I will just be happy to stay within my niche and pursue the variations.

Did you look at the links I sent Pietta? Do you think it somewhat adequate for info for them or do you have more info on these two pistols? Just asking.

I know my e-mail to them was somewhat flattering, but one can attract more critters with sugar than vinegar. And I'm a vinegar guy usually.

Jim

 

[expat_alaska]

If I recall correctly, the Rigdon and Ansley's extra 6 slots were like safeties for carrying all six chambers loaded.
Will any thing be required internally to get the cylinder stop to engage the new locations between chambers?

No. Leech and Rigdon produced about 1100 revolvers with the safety cylinder pins before eliminating them, for whatever reason. When Leech parted business ways with Charles Rigdon, Rigdon continued with the original contract of 1500 pistols without the safety pins. When the original contract with L&R was finished, Rigdon used the 12-stop-slot cylinder to comply with Confederate Col. Josiah Gorgas' order for a safety measure when all chambers were loaded.

If previous pistols used the safety pins between cylinders, the newer cylinders allowed the bolt to secure the cylinder in the same position as the pins did, only more robust. This was a Manhattan Arms 1855 patent but I figure Rigdon did not give a flip if he was infringing on a US patent.

No internal mods needed. Put the hammer at half-cock and the cylinder will align to the additional stop slot, and lower the hammer.

I am amazed that someone is not producing these cylinders. Maybe they have not heard of R&A or Manhattan Arms.

Jim

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

I think those links should be sufficient to set them on the right path.

I was googling Manhattan Firearms and ran across this link which shows the Gruler Safety cylinder stop slot patent drawing in figure 7:

http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/B026_Nutter.pdf

 

[expat_alaska]

I think those links should be sufficient to set them on the right path.

I was googling Manhattan Firearms and ran across this link which shows the Gruler Safety cylinder stop slot patent drawing in figure 7:

http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/B026_Nutter.pdf

There were so many new pistols produced back in the day that it is hard to keep track of all of them.

My biggest problem with replica pistols is with the so-called Remington Army 1858 .44 as it was not actually produced until 1863 as the New Model Army .44. I think it is very much too late to change the nomenclature even though it is historically wrong, but I do not own one, and never will.

Off my soap box.

Jim

 

[1861]

Congratulations expat_alaska! Maybe we could/should start a petition for .36 Dance?
I've just sent them a mail stating that I would buy a silver .36 Dance as soon as they made it.

 

[expat_alaska]

Congratulations expat_alaska! Maybe we could/should start a petition for .36 Dance?
I've just sent them a mail stating that I would buy a silver .36 Dance as soon as they made it.

I'm not sure that Pietta would contemplate making such a pistol, but I truly think inundating them from all of you that are interested with emails about producing a Dance .36 or a R&A .36 might have an effect, if they see enough response in order to proceed with production. That is why I included Alfonse's address. There is always hope, and they seem to be listening. We will see. If I get a return email from them insofar as their decisions, I will let you all know on this thread.

 

[rodwha]

Hi Jim,
Wow they were really actually interested in what you had to say!
AMAZING.
Do they take pre-orders?
Did you see EMF's 12" 1851 in .44 "Buntline" in their Grandparent's Day Long and Short (pepperbox) email?
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1851-Navy-Brass-Buntline-c141.htm
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1851-Navy-Pepperbox-c527.htm
I wonder if they make a 12" barrel in .36.
I have seen old Pietta 12" 1851's combined with a stock but I can't recall the caliber.
Two more barrels for your collection.
Or, when you finish your .36 collection, you could start on .44's.

Pietta does have a 36" barrel sold by Taylor's. Just looked and only see the .44 cal offered now.

 

[RevolverLover]

That was actually a very positive answer.
You know a lot of their ideas comes from passionate people like yourself.
Keep on contacting them about this, it seemed to me that they were interested in your idea...

 

[RevolverLover]

There were so many new pistols produced back in the day that it is hard to keep track of all of them.

My biggest problem with replica pistols is with the so-called Remington Army 1858 .44 as it was not actually produced until 1863 as the New Model Army .44. I think it is very much too late to change the nomenclature even though it is historically wrong, but I do not own one, and never will.

Off my soap box.

Jim

The 1858 date is the day the gun was patented my friend.