What can you all tell me about this 1851 Navy

Hello,
I just picked up a Colt 1851 Navy .36 from Navy Arms Co. I can’t find much information about this revolver other than it’s a repro of a Griswold & Gunnison Colt 1851 knock-off made in the south where steel was scarce during the civil war hence the brass frame. Can anyone tell me anything like manufacture date based off markings? Thanks in advance.

 

It's made by Uberti in Italy in 1960 (XVI)

 

I believe conventional wisdom today is that the choice to use "Brass" aka gun metal for the frames had more to do with the ease of machining and reduced tool wear than any shortage of steel.

 

Actually it's a Gregorelli & Uberti made in 1960 but G.U. did become Uberti around 1964. I have four G.U. 1851 Navy repros, I am not an expert but I do have an interest in G.U. repros. I always keep an eye out for G.U.'s and I have never seen or heard of a short barreled Griswold & Gunnison like yours. I think you have a pretty rare gun there.

 

Some guys have all the luck!
Agree with LP that it is a very uncommon pistol and that it would be a quick seller if you decide to
move it on.
Much tougher to find the guns made during the glory years of the Italian western than it used to be.

Thanks for posting the photos, JT

 

Awesome well I’m glad this is one of the nicer replicas I could’ve ended up with!

 

Well I shot it a little bit, seems to shoot a bit high and to the left but I was still able to hit some steel silhouettes at 15 yards. Not too shabby!

I used 15 grains of Triple 7 with bore butter over the ball, the gun had almost no recoil and shot very consistently.

 

LP,

I like GU guns, also, and would bid on this if my "mad money" fund was not depleted. Thought you might be interested, although seller insists upon going through an FFL holder.

Regards,

Jim

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-M...REVOLVER-w-WOOD-STOCK/lotInformation/50850014

 

I too own a few Gregorelli and Uberti pistols, some without any proofs or date codes (I am of the opinion these were pre 1960 Revolvers). Bill Edwards had both “Rebs” and “Yanks” made for the anniversary of the Civil war. Lonesome Pigeon is correct in his assumption about the barrel length. First short one I have ever seen also.

 

Being short barreled it is probably their version of the "Sheriff's" or "Pocket" model pistol.

 

Here are a couple 100% G & U G&Gs. Never fired, still has original grease on them, one date coded to 1960 the other has no code with a lower SN.

 

Howdy Fingers!
I too have a “Rebel” that is unfired. Mine is in a Navy Arms felt lined case with all Navy Arms accoutrements.

 

W O W Hoofy, need pictures .

I've got case and accessories, but not navy arms.

 

Hi Gary, nice to see you in this thread. If you have not seen one(short barrel G.U.) either then they must really be rare.
Fingers, those look pristine. Very nice.
expat_Alaska, thank you for the link. I have never seen a G. U. shoulder stock, another amazing rarity!

 

Hi all,

So an update on this revolver, I lengthened the arbor just enough to make the barrel bottom out on the frame at the same time as the arbor, but I’m now left with a cylinder gap of 0.017. Should I shorten the barrel where it meets the frame at the pins or would a shim behind the cylinder work without moving the cylinder too far forward and causing the hammer to lose energy when it strikes the caps?

 

Set cylinder gap first then fix the arbor.

 

I thought it was fix arbor first then cylinder gap.

 

I managed to close the gap to .009-.010 so I’ll see how it shoots now.

 

HI folks, really new here and don't know much about guns. I am looking for information and possible valuation of my Dad's gun. Here's what I know so far
date code XVII,
Navy Arms Bogota NJ on top of the barrel,
GU script makers mark under the barrel,
and a 6 chamber .36 caliber cylinder.
Serial# 2642
1858 Remington I believe
I also have the powder canister and lead mold
It is in mint condition and as near as I can tell has never been fired
Your replies are greatly appreciated, Thanks!

 

Manufactured 1961.

Navy Arms was the distributor.

Manufacturer was Gregorelli & Uberti, Northern Italy. (no longer in business)

Navy Model (.36) not the Army Model (.44).

For a ballpark estimate, DGW sells a Pietta Navy .36 for $315, and an Uberti Navy .36 for $340:

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...H0214+Dixie+Pietta+Remington+1858+Belt+Pistol

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...ct_name/RH0630+Uberti+Remington+Navy+Revolver

Regards,

Jim

 

Thanks Jim!!