New 1858 (repro) .44 'Bulldog'

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Just finished another cartridge conversion to .44 Colt. I also did a 'Bulldog' conversion, shortening the barrel to 1-3/4", made an under-barrel lug to retain the cylinder pin, reshaped the grip-frame and made a set of Desert Ironwood handles for it. This is in addition to the cylinder and breech-ring of course.

The grips seem a bit flat, but work very well in the hand, and I'm not sure I'm a fan of the under-lug, since it requires tools to remover the cylinder. The cylinder locks up very tightly and the trigger is quite good; overall I'm pretty satisfied.

The cartridges are the original style of .44 Colt, which uses a heel-base outside-lubed .451" bullet.

Anyway here's the pics:




The last picture shows it with my original conversion, 'The Pug.' That one is based on a Pietta 1859 and uses a Kirst .45 Colt gated conversion.

I didn't go too nuts on the finish; I'll be stripping the gun down and rust-bluing it later this year.

 

[adcoch1]

Those grips are pretty flat compared to your pug grips, but they are beautiful and still look like you can hold on to them fine. This one looks a little more steampunk, while the pug looks elegantly refined. I like it!

 

[OARNGESI]

Those look like lots of fun I’d be tempted to buy them

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

I swear, if only i had an ounce of your talent...

 

[entropy]

I'd settle for having the tools. I know how to use them, just don't have them. Nice looking conversion snub, again!

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Spent a little quality time in the shop this afternoon. Turned the under-barrel lug/cylinder pin retainer into a hinged retainer with a latch and re-shaped and refinished the grips. Better now!

 

[Tallball]

Nice work, as usual!

 

[entropy]

A very practical modification, nice!

 

[Coyote3855]

The reverse hinged retainer reveals a genius at work.

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

Turned the under-barrel lug/cylinder pin retainer into a hinged retainer with a latch and re-shaped and refinished the grips. Better now!

That hinged retainer and latch is brilliant; very ingenious of you sir!

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Thank you! I have my moments...

 

[lewwallace]

Bulldogs (English) in my world.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

...and in mine! Ok, the top one is an RIC, but it's related... A few years back a gun writer for 'Guns of the Old West' made a snub-nosed Remington Conversion and called it an 'American Bulldog' and the name stuck. I know it ain't a real bulldog, but that's what folks call 'em.

Nice Bulldogs, BTW!