Surprise with new old stock Navy Arms 1851 Navy 44

[elhombreconnonombre]

On Saturday the mailman brought me a brand new old stock Navy Arms 1851 .44 with a brass frame. I've been hankerin for one of these with the round barrel since I passed on one before Christmas. It came in the original plastic bag, in the original styro box, and cardboard box, with all the Navy Arms paperwork. I was so excited until I tried to cock it. It was nearly impossible to cock. Now I'm no girlie man...I have worked both hands and thumbs cocking and firing Pietta Le Mats in each hand, so there was definitely a problem. So out come the tools. I brought out my smooth as silk Pietta 1851 Navy first to compare the bits. The very first thing I noticed was that the spring was a lot thicker compared to the 36 by a bunch...like 75% thicker. I had a spare and thinner 1851 spring and swapped it out...problem solved. I guess Val II missed that problem on this particular one and it got out the door. I also swapped out the grip with one that had the bottom of the grip machined for a detachable shoulder stock. Now I have what I call a fantasy brass framed shoulder stocked "mini 3rd model dragoon".

 

[44 Dave]

Pictures????
please

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

For some reason I can't post pics directly from my new phone to the THR. I will try it with my old phone.

 

[whughett]

What is the year of manufacture? I have a Navy Arms 1858, 36 cal, Remington New Army, Navy, I don't know.........??? Anyway it is from 1964.
Needs new grips. Otherwise a nice quality shooter. Think I'll start a new collection "Vintage Navy Arms Repros"

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

This one is a 1982. Still can't upload phone pics to THR from my phone. dang it

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

I like Navy Arms items. I drooled over the catalogs back in the day. We owe a debt of gratitude to VF II for his foresight in getting the Italians to make all these functional toys we play with today.

 

[Old Fuff]

If you get a chance to handle an original 1851 Navy or 1860 Army that hasn't been altered you find that they had... well... "substantial" mainsprings.

These were carried over in early model 1873 Single Actions, and earned them the nickname "thumb buster."

When Val went to the Italians he didn't have any blueprints. In place of them he brought 2 original Navy revolvers, which they took apart and (more or less) copied. It took them awhile to get it right.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

Well this one was more than substantial. It took both thumbs to cock it...thought I had bought a junker. It appears that the main spring was left over from one of those late 1950s copied parts. It's all good now. "The Lil Dragoon" is working nice and as smoothly now as my Navy 36.

 

[cobalt327]

For future reference, any idea what the spring in it now is rated at? Hope you're able to post photos later, bet it's sweet!

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

Here it is with a NOS Navy Arms shoulder stock.

 

[Old Fuff]

Neat! But be sure you keep your weak (usually left) hand behind the front of the cylinder.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

Indeed! Plus shooting specs and a bandana over my pretty puss to keep errant cap bits from bouncing back at me. SAFETY FIRST!

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Your gun looks like a nice one. I have owned several brass framed revolvers over the years. I had a steel framed 1851 .44 that I sold and have been kicking myself every since then for selling it. Even had an extra barrel for it. Oh well over the years I have sold a lot of guns, stereo equipment and cars that I later wished that I had not sold. Such is life.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

Another pic

Heres another pic.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Nice work.