Finally Finished! 1873 Sheriff's model in .251 TCR

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Last year I converted an Italian percussion version of the 1873 to test .251 TCR. It got the job done, but it had issues and I never really thought of it as anything but a test gun. One of the issues war that with the small-diameter of the cartridge the ejector housing on the frame was actually in the way, so I had to remove the cylinder to load and unload. Not a problem when all you are doing is firing test shots, but a PITA for anything else. I also didn't like the look of the cylinder, with the liners showing in the gaps where the percussion caps used to be. I finally got around to fixing it, removing the ejector housing from the frame (as Colt did with their original Ejectorless model) and made a bespoke cylinder. It's a pretty big cylinder for six .25-caliber cartridges, so I made it an eight shooter. Now I can use a rod to eject the empties without removing the cylinder, and it holds enough shots that I'm probably not going to need to reload when hunting bunnies and the like.

Here's the Before and After-


And a couple more shots-

Gotta say, I like the looks much better now!

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Very nice work!

 

[DairyVet]

This has been a fun project to watch. Thanks for sharing!

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

If wou play around with the grip a bit, round it off and recontour it, I think it will look a lot like a British Bulldog revolver!

 

[Tallball]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Pudge]

When do you have time for hunting bunnies and the like? The work you turn out is awesome, and not, I would think, without significant time invested. Are you holding out on a project you did on a device that slows down time in your shop? In any case, VERY cool!

 

[nofendertom]

Great job !---I think the unfluted cylinder makes it look more custom---Bannokburn's thought about altering the grip would make it more visually appealing IMHO.

 

[bannockburn]

Pudge

It's like I keep saying: Tinker is a time traveler!

 

[silvermane_1]

Last year I converted an Italian percussion version of the 1873 to test .251 TCR. It got the job done, but it had issues and I never really thought of it as anything but a test gun. One of the issues war that with the small-diameter of the cartridge the ejector housing on the frame was actually in the way, so I had to remove the cylinder to load and unload. Not a problem when all you are doing is firing test shots, but a PITA for anything else. I also didn't like the look of the cylinder, with the liners showing in the gaps where the percussion caps used to be. I finally got around to fixing it, removing the ejector housing from the frame (as Colt did with their original Ejectorless model) and made a bespoke cylinder. It's a pretty big cylinder for six .25-caliber cartridges, so I made it an eight shooter. Now I can use a rod to eject the empties without removing the cylinder, and it holds enough shots that I'm probably not going to need to reload when hunting bunnies and the like.

Here's the Before and After-

View attachment 927202 View attachment 927203
And a couple more shots-
View attachment 927204 View attachment 927205
Gotta say, I like the looks much better now!

Awesome looking 8 shot wheelgun that you mentioned there Tinker.

 

[Riomouse911]

Sweet! I haven’t heard of the cartridge, did you mention the specs on the round in an earlier post?

Keep us informed how it shoots and it’s effectiveness in the field

Stay safe

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Sweet! I haven’t heard of the cartridge, did you mention the specs on the round in an earlier post?

Keep us informed how it shoots and it’s effectiveness in the field

Stay safe

Yeah, there are some earlier posts. Basically it's a center-fire replacement for rimfire .22 cartridges, from gallery loads to hotter than .22 Magnum.

 

[Riomouse911]

Cool. Sounds like a 100 yard bunny buster for sure .

Stay safe.

 

[SteadyD]

Very nice, a cylinder should always have as many holes as will possibly fit, tradition be damned! I tip my hat to you, sir!

 

[Reinz]

What a cool, unique revolver! Thanks for sharing.