Identifying Mfg.-Replica Walker

[squirrelmurder]

I am hoping to get some help in identifying my inherited Walker. It was purchased around 1970 by my father. I have read up on this subject, and some people have indicated that quite a few were made without any manufacturer I.D. I have some memories of the box that it came in, but that box is long gone. I was wondering if there are slight differences which could indicate who the manufacturer was? Since I hear that parts are not interchangeable between manufacturers, it seems like there should be some way of telling who made this replica. Photos show only markings I can find. Any help appreciated.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

The markings you shared are the standard Italian proof house marks. The date code XXVI = 1970 proof. As I recall ASM was the first Italian manufacture to build walkers before Uberti joined in on the fun. There may not have been any others by 1970

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Here are two pictures (of a 3rd model dragoon) which show the three characteristics that make me believe you have an early Armi San Marco Walker. Note the flat sided wedge screw in the first picture. Note the "Patent No." and partial serial number as well as the scroll work between it and the "Model USMR." These are just found on early ASM products.

 

[LonesomePigeon]

Based on the "PATENT No. 376" I would guess it's an early Armi San Marco. If you could show pictures of the whole gun that would help, the geometry varied between manufacturers so just the shapes of the parts can give clues to identification.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Here is one like yours on sale.
It is marked Replica Arms which was the importer but the maker and the date code are not mentioned.
You could contact the seller to see if the maker is hidden under the loading lever and ask for the date code.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...olver-98-plus-orig-cond-.cfm?gun_id=100788973

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

If you do remember the box this may also help.
The early ASM's came in a greenish box printed like Alligator hide.
Later boxes were blue with a compass rose like pattern on the lid.
Of course it may have come in a box with the Importer's graphics which would not help you much identifying the maker.

 

[squirrelmurder]

Thanks for the information. It still seems strange to me that a manufacturer would not find some discrete but distinguishing way of marking their product. It looks like the consensus is that I have an ASM. Here is the piece in question if I can get it to upload:

 

[LonesomePigeon]

Yup, that's an early Armi San Marco from 1970. I am 99.999% positive. The shapes of the trigger, grip frame and barrel lug are very distinct to that model.

 

[jmar]

The gun is an ASM. In fact I think I can see where it says it in the pics you posted. Position the gun in front of you as in picture 1. And look at the spot on the frame right next to where it meets the barrel pins.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I don't see the ASM mark that jmar does, but more than 9 out of 10 time when I was told there were no makers marks on a C&B revolver I found one anyway. Keep looking!

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Here is a fancy one:

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?products_id=53034

 

[44 Dave]

Here is a fancy one:

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?products_id=53034

That is a Dragoon, second model.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Right you are 44 Dave! I was so interested in what ASM could do when they turned their artists loose, that I went with the label without noticing the loading lever, etc..

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

I also have an early ASM Walker. The importer was JANA. It took me a while to find out about it.