OK, i give up. What's up with this Peacemaker (?)

[BADUNAME30]

I jist got back form checkin out and pickin up that '58 brasser Remmy.
( I'll post that up seperate after this)
Anywho, The feller there says..." Jim. did you see this last time you was here ?" And hands me this......

This is a Pietta .44 C&B 7.5" Peacemaker (?) copy.
But get this. It has a functioning loading gate and ejector rod.
But as you can see, it has a C&B cylinder in it.

I thot maybe the original cylinder got lost in the shuffle and this one was stuck in the gun jist so the OO could get rid of the gun.
The bluing matches up pefectly tho so i 'spect the cylinder is original to the gun( ?)
I'm thinkin jist maybe this bugger was designed with a conversion cylinder in mind fer shootin BP cowboy loads ? If not, it sure lends itself to jist such a venture.
Anywho, i am all ears and eager to learn. Anyone got any experience with this little gem please let me have yer knowledge
It's in original box.All paper work and is year 2000 proof dated.
It also has a weee bit o' that, what i call, 'dusty' rust on the Bbl and cylinder but it's the kind that Flitz'll wipe right off and never leave a trace of it bein there.
Think it's worth the $150.00 he's askin ?
Lemme add that it aint the tightest six shooter in the case, not bad tho - and the trigger is ..well.. last time i felt one so purty i did the tunin' myself


Man..when this C&B gun buyin stuff ever end. Every time i turn around there's one that i jist gotta have

 

[sniperlongshot]

1873 colt six shooter, uberti model p, colt cowboys, and in basic configuration ruger vaquero etc.

 

[CraigC]

These are rather common and originally intended for the European market where cartridge guns are illegal or difficult to obtain. They are not readily adaptable to fire cartridges. There have been several threads about this in recent months.

 

[kBob]

Looks like something made for our british friends that can not easily have cartridge guns.

If it is clean I would have had a hard time not leaving the shop with it and not really been able to justify it at the same time.

I am glad my LGS does not tempt me as often as yours does you. Had to get the truck and ZTR mower out of the shop this past week and so purposfully did not go to a gunshow in St. Augustine this past weekeknd. I have to many pending projects to have such temptations!

-kBob

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Hi Jim, These were made mostly for export to the UK and other countries. The quality of these guns is outstanding. I have been told that you cannot convert them into ctg. guns, but I'm not so sure. I have a Uberti 1873 7.5" steel casehardened frame nib. Drop dean georgeous? You have to take the cylinder out for loading. The loading gate is just there for looks unless someone could convert it?

 

[BADUNAME30]

These are rather common and originally intended for the European market where cartridge guns are illegal or difficult to obtain. They are not readily adaptable to fire cartridges. There have been several threads about this in recent months.

Thanx Craig. Are you sayin that the conversion cylinders for them don't really work all that well or are sayin that the gun itself can't hold up to say..cowboy loads in a CC ?

Could you possibly guide to those recent threads ?

 

[BADUNAME30]

Looks like something made for our british friends that can not easily have cartridge guns.

If it is clean I would have had a hard time not leaving the shop with it and not really been able to justify it at the same time.

I am glad my LGS does not tempt me as often as yours does you. Had to get the truck and ZTR mower out of the shop this past week and so purposfully did not go to a gunshow in St. Augustine this past weekeknd. I have to many pending projects to have such temptations!

Thanx for the response Bob.
I know what you mean about all the temptations lol.
I'm needin to stay home more often.

 

[BADUNAME30]

Hi Jim, These were made mostly for export to the UK and other countries. The quality of these guns is outstanding. I have been told that you cannot convert them into ctg. guns, but I'm not so sure. I have a Uberti 1873 7.5" steel casehardened frame nib. Drop dean georgeous? You have to take the cylinder out for loading. The loading gate is just there for looks unless someone could convert it?

Hi Ken, that export thingy seems to be the concensus.
I think i have to agree with the quality. Aside from the trigger area bein way too small for my finger, it looks and feels solid.
As for the gate, it functions just like a loading gate should.
No need for any alterations.
The ejector rod is the real deal also.
I do see a need for a loading stand tho for C&B usage.

Where did you get your info on not using them for gartridge guns Ken ?

 

[Prairie Dawg]

Dixie sells them:
RH0426 Dixie Pietta 1873 Percussion Revolver - Blued Steel $350.00
RH0426 Dixie Pietta 1873 Percussion Revolver - Blued Steel
Click to enlarge

The M1873 percussion revolver comes with 2 piece grips, European walnut stock, and a steel color casehardened frame. Has a blued .44 caliber, 5 1/2" tapered round barrel. Blued steel blade front sight and rear sight is a notch in top strap. .447 chamber diameter, six shot. 1 in 30" twist. Features a blued steel backstrap and triggerguard. Loading tool (Stock #GA0427) is available. Manufactured by Pietta/Italy.

--Dawg

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Jim, Since I have one I did an internet search to see if they could be converted and all said no as they were specifically built for the c & b export market. I know the hammer won't work, but that would be an easy fix. There was something else that prevented them from being converted.

Take care,

Ken

 

[tom e gun]

I think I remember some past threads where this came up. Folks brought up the fact that the hammer face/firing pin was offset to one side compared to the cartridge versions, and going along with that the hole for it to pass through is equally offset.
I don't remember offhand what if any other differences exist, but would be lead to wonder if one could just replace the cylinder and hammer from the otherwise identical cartridge model and do some garage gun smithing on the firing pin hole on the frame. Anyone got any ideers on this?

 

[BADUNAME30]

Jim, Since I have one I did an internet search to see if they could be converted and all said no as they were specifically built for the c & b export market. I know the hammer won't work, but that would be an easy fix. There was something else that prevented them from being converted.

Take care,

Ken

Thanx Ken, yes, there is " something else" and tom e gun mentions it below.

 

[BADUNAME30]

I think I remember some past threads where this came up. Folks brought up the fact that the hammer face/firing pin was offset to one side compared to the cartridge versions, and going along with that the hole for it to pass through is equally offset.
I don't remember offhand what if any other differences exist, but would be lead to wonder if one could just replace the cylinder and hammer from the otherwise identical cartridge model and do some garage gun smithing on the firing pin hole on the frame. Anyone got any ideers on this?

Yer correct about the hammer and slot Tom. I recall seeing that when i looked at it today.
Mmm.. hammer can be altered but that slot ? I'll hafta go take another looksee and doin some thinks on that one.

 

[tom e gun]

Well good luck on the decision my friend! If it was me and I had the money burning in my hand I would go for it
You'll end up with one of two things:
1. A really neat BP revolver with the feel of a typical SAA, or
2. A really neat BP revolver with the feel of a typical SAA that with some ingenuity could be made to fire cartridges.
Either way, it would likely be a fun revolver to play around with!
I am quite curious to see more pictures of the hammer and firing pin hole if you make your way to see it again, so please, by all means take some more while there if you can

 

[St8LineGunsmith]

jim that peacemaker will definately handle a cowboy load
I noticed that it has a color case hardned frame or looks to be color case hardened.
ya that gun is probably made for UK or Aussies who cannot own modern repeating firearms or revolvers I would not hesitate to buy it tho.

 

[kBob]

I think I would be happy with it OF COURSE I DID NOT JUST GET A $75 REMMIE LIKE SOME PEOPLE AROUND HERE

OOps sory about the screaming.

I would be happy with it as a BP C&B and if I wanted a cat-ridge revolver I would buy a cat-ridge revolver. Looks neat at that price.

I wonder what the actual bore diameter is. That might be something the UK crowd insisted on, a barrel that is neither .45x or .42x so neither common ".44" or ",45" boolits from common cat-ridges will work well

-kBob

 

[CraigC]

Thanx Craig. Are you sayin that the conversion cylinders for them don't really work all that well or are sayin that the gun itself can't hold up to say..cowboy loads in a CC ?

Everything is offset, specifically to prevent the gun from firing cartridges. There is also a great big hole in the frame and that wouldn't be compatible with cartridges.

 

[mykeal]

I own the Uberti version:

The hammer (and corresponding hole in the frame for the firing pin) is indeed offset to prevent drop-in conversion to a cartridge version:


Likewise, the nipples are offset from the chamber centerline in the cylinder:

Yes, you will need a loading stand to load the cylinder.

Can it be modified to a cartridge cylinder? Yes, of course it can. Easily? In my opinion, no. It's an economic decision - do you want to spend the money and time to do the machine work required (plus buying the cylinder) versus just buying a new gun that already uses cartridges like the original?

As mentioned above, this has been the subject of several threads, and a few folks (including some that have posted in this thread) have opined that they could easily modify one; so far, nobody has posted any proof that they've accomplished it.

Personally I think it's well worth the $175. It's a fine shooting gun, very well balanced and points like a dream. The downside, of course, is the need for a loading stand, but many folks don't mind that.

 

[BADUNAME30]

Well good luck on the decision my friend! If it was me and I had the money burning in my hand I would go for it
You'll end up with one of two things:
1. A really neat BP revolver with the feel of a typical SAA, or
2. A really neat BP revolver with the feel of a typical SAA that with some ingenuity could be made to fire cartridges.
Either way, it would likely be a fun revolver to play around with!
I am quite curious to see more pictures of the hammer and firing pin hole if you make your way to see it again, so please, by all means take some more while there if you can

Thanx Tom. I'm thinkin more and more that when i get it...ooops, did i say "when " , maybe i'll jist keep er the way she is.
The only thing that i do not like about it is that there aint no room for more than jist the very tip o' my trigger finger inside the trigger gaurd.
Sooo..looks like another one for Janet
mykeal posted some pics below of the hammer configuration but his is different.AS you can see,his Uberti is a round offset hammer 'pin' goin into an offset round hole,( his would be real easy to convert ), where as the Pietta in question has a 'square' hammer with half of the face milled off goin into a 'square' elongated offset hole to git to the cap.
As for the pics. I can jist call the feller at the store and he'll e-mail me some.
I'll do that tomorrow.

 

[BADUNAME30]

jim that peacemaker will definately handle a cowboy load
I noticed that it has a color case hardned frame or looks to be color case hardened.
ya that gun is probably made for UK or Aussies who cannot own modern repeating firearms or revolvers I would not hesitate to buy it tho.

I'm thinkin more and more 'bout gittin it St8.
My brother is also a gunsmith and a very accomplished machinist. I've allready discussed with him the possibilty of convertin this gun.
He says he has the tooling to do the slot work and we're thinkin that, ( Craig, you'll like this choice), jist buyin a 'drop in' hammer is most likely the easiest route to go for that part of it.
But all in all. The first , and only, conversion cylinder i looked at so far is $250.00. DRAT !!!
Another consideration i have is, will a standard '73 Colt SAA conversion cylinder fit this gun or is this euro style somehow different to prevent that all together ?

 

[BADUNAME30]

There is also a great big hole in the frame and that wouldn't be compatible with cartridges.

I'm not followin ya there Craig

 

[BADUNAME30]

Yes, you will need a loading stand to load the cylinder.

Can it be modified to a cartridge cylinder? Yes, of course it can. Easily? In my opinion, no. It's an economic decision - do you want to spend the money and time to do the machine work required (plus buying the cylinder) versus just buying a new gun that already uses cartridges like the original?

As mentioned above, this has been the subject of several threads, and a few folks (including some that have posted in this thread) have opined that they could easily modify one; so far, nobody has posted any proof that they've accomplished it.

Personally I think it's well worth the $175. It's a fine shooting gun, very well balanced and points like a dream. The downside, of course, is the need for a loading stand, but many folks don't mind that.

That right there is one MIGHTY FINE lookin smoke wagon mykeal !!
Thanx so much for postin up the pics.
Does it require a 'special' loading stand ? By that, i mean gun specific.

The only cost i would have into the conversion would be of course the gun and then the cylinder. All the maching would be done by my brother and he'd do it jist cause he loves to do that kind o' stuff.
And besides, he's got pistol smithin experience. My smithin was mostly all long guns. I did mostly repairs and or replacement work on pistols with few mods.

 

[J-Bar]

Please consult someone more knowledgeable than I am about the laws that apply to manufacturing a cartridge firing gun. I know that BATF regulations can be difficult to understand, but since you are not going to be able to use a commercial conversion cylinder in this gun, I would hate to see you inadvertently wind up with an illegal firearm after you converted it to a cartridge gun.

Sorry I am not expert enough to address this, but I recommend you make sure that the conversion you are planning is allowed under federal law, and/or that you have any required licenses to perform the conversion.

There was a gunsmith in Missouri a few years back that got into some hotwater...BATF claimed he was actually manufacturing new guns rather than smithing existing ones. It was a problem for him for a while.

 

[St8LineGunsmith]

Jbar
there are no legal issues concerning this kind of conversion especially since it would be using black powder cartridges, the only issue with a conversion such as this is that it would almost be as easy to go ahead and build a complete peacemaker from scratch.

 

[mykeal]

Does it require a 'special' loading stand ? By that, i mean gun specific.

Nope. Any old loading stand will do.

The only cost i would have into the conversion would be of course the gun and then the cylinder. All the maching would be done by my brother and he'd do it jist cause he loves to do that kind o' stuff. And besides, he's got pistol smithin experience.

And the hammer - I think you mentioned doing that too. I look forward to seeing the results.

will a standard '73 Colt SAA conversion cylinder fit this gun or is this euro style somehow different to prevent that all together ?

I have no idea. Perhaps that's why nobody's claimed to have done it.

AS you can see,his Uberti is a round offset hammer 'pin' goin into an offset round hole,( his would be real easy to convert ), where as the Pietta in question has a 'square' hammer with half of the face milled off goin into a 'square' elongated offset hole

Actually it's not round, it's an ellipse. I'm not sure that matters, however. Why is a round hole be 'real easy' compared to a square hole?

I recommend you make sure that the conversion you are planning is allowed under federal law,

Manufacturing a handgun (or a long gun for that matter) for personal use is not restricted or prohibited in the US. However, manufacturing and then SELLING or otherwise transferring such a gun requires an excise tax license.

there are no legal issues concerning this kind of conversion especially since it would be using black powder cartridges,

The cartridges have nothing to do with it. It's legal so long as he doesn't try to transfer it. He will need an excise tax license to do that if the cylinder is capable of using modern ammunition.

the only issue with a conversion such as this is that it would almost be as easy to go ahead and build a complete peacemaker from scratch.

I agree with that. I can't wait to see someone do this and prove that wrong.