New Revolver....how did I do.

[aaronrkelly]

I stopped into my nearby Scheels as they are having a few sales and one was on a black powder revolver.

The cheaper models were Colt replicas (Pietta).....I was about to buy a brass framed (something I was trying to avoid) gun because it was cheap when I spy a box that has a pen mark thru the price and its marked down to $129.

I asked and he pointed to a gun on the board that went into the box. I looked at the end of the box and the serial number didnt match, nor did the description but it was marked thru to. Im assuming they lost the box or the incorrect revolver was in the box....either way I scored.

Its an 1851 Navy.....but not with a brass frame. This one has a case hardened steel frame. I bought it for $130 plus tax.

Upon coming home I check the net and apparently these guns run $200 to $220ish dollars depending on where your buying from. The standard brass guns are much cheaper.

So I but a steel gun at brass price.....in an incorrect box.

What ya think, should make a good first BP revolver.

 

[SixShootinSam]

Great deal, if it works properly! Is indeed a nice starter BP. I started with an Pietta 1860 Army, but wish I would have gone with the 1851. I still love it tho. Kind of mistreated mine due to the newness of the BP shooting, but it still stands strong, even though it's a Pietta.
Now you need to watch those old spaghetti westerns again, you'll see that 1851 lots

 

[pohill]

Good deal. Pietta guns are pretty good. I have one made in 1986.
Yours is .44 caliber right? If you're into history, the 1851 Navy came only in .36. Look on the right side of the frame for Roman numerals or letters - those are the year of manufacture. Post it here and I (or someone) can tell you when it was made, if you're interested.
I'm guessing that your next question will be, "How do I get this @%^&@#$ wedge out?"

 

[dwave]

Didn't even notice the rebated cylinder. I bet it is the 1851 Civilian model.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012107214504a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=1851&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=1851&noImage=0

 

[Tbu61]

For $130 I think you did great!
Replica revolvers are unique and individual critters... You can buy 2 consecutive guns, one will work fine and the other will be a lemon. If the timing is good, you have passed the major hurdle.

I have a Brass frame Navy that has to be 35 years old if it's a minute. I shot it a bunch and it's starting to wear out. Time to get it polished and put up

I'm not really disappointed, some shady folks sold it to me for $40 many years ago, probably better that I took it off the streets and gave it a good home.
(That's a story in itself).

Take good care of it and it should last a very long time.

Have you ever shot one before?

 

[Imaginos]

Check Your History

There was nothing "standard" about brass framed persussion pistols.

Historically, Colt did not make brass framed pistols, nor did Remington, or any of the other major manufacturers I am aware of.

The CSA manufactured some brass framed knock-offs of Yankee revolvers, but they were not very common. Most of the brass framed replicas you see today are marketing departments misrepresenting history.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Here is a link to the gun listed at Midway.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=357396


I havent shot one before.....I have already figured the wedge out, it took about 30 seconds to figure out you just tap it out. Doesnt look to be much more to it unless Im missing something.

The only markings on the gun are a CA in a box.....and a PN with a star above it.
No Roman numerals that I can see.

The CA is the date code.....but my tables dont go that far. They stop in the Bs at 2003.

 

[Afy]

You did well...

 

[aaronrkelly]

Anybody got a date for the CA code....?

 

[pohill]

You got the wedge out AND you know about the codes. Impressive. The CA is a puzzle - I have the same chart you do but it needs some updating.

 

[aaronrkelly]

One would assume by the way the chart goes it has to be a 2006 date code.....but it a wild guess.

I sent Traditions an email....maybe they have a newer chart or know for sure.

 

[pohill]

If that's the case (2006) then you really did get a great deal. I'm gonna take you shopping for guns next time I go. New Piettas have come along way from what I hear, as good as Uberti.

 

[dwave]

I have a Pietta 1851 .36 and it has a code of BZ and I got it at the end of 2005. I would have to guess that CA would be 2006 if mine is a 2005.

 

[hildo]

I bought a 2007 Walker, two weeks ago. It has the BZ as date code as well.
It had to be ordered at the gunshop, but think it was old stock at the Uberti importer in Holland.

When looking at the model year designations there is a clear logic behind it.
BT 2003
BU 2004
BZ 2005
CA 2006
CB 2007
CC 2008
CD 2009

I guess the 1951 with CA code is 2006

For those not having the modelyear code listing yet. Check out the following link (updated to 2003)
https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/POWDER/MBPProofmarks.pdf