OK, I see now . When I saw clones I was thinking clones of Remington 700 rifles and such . Thanks.Uberti, Pedersoli, Pietta, Chiappa.
During the 19th century, Colt firearms was one of the leading manufacturers of black powder revolvers. Colt mass produced these revolvers until 1873, when the introduction of smokeless powder and self-contained cartridges made black powder pistols obsolete. The resurgence of these pistols came in 1958, when Italian firearm manufacturers introduced a replica of the 1951 Colt Navy revolver. When these pistols were heavily featured in the Italian "spaghetti" westerns of the 1960s and interest in the revolvers increased, a collaborative effort between Colt and subcontractor Lou Imperato (who was largely responsible for the original replicas) formed and continued until 1993 when Imperato founded Colt Black Powder Arms (which produced the third-generation revolvers until 2002).
https://goneoutdoors.com/identify-generation-black-powder-revolver-7840958.html came up in a discussion I’d had with another member who was trying to remember the Italian guy’s name who started building Colt SA’s. As I wasn’t alive in the 60’s or 70’s, I cannot go off anything else. Clearly the source is incorrect about the date of black powder. And what I can find says smokeless was actually invented in 1884 by Paul Vieille and used in the first production rifle, the Lebel in 1886. That may be where you’re thinking of 1886. I have a nice example of one.No.
The French invented smokeless powder (poudre Blanche) in 1886. The Belgians (Centaur) started the reproduction craze. The 100 year anniversary of the Civil War kicked off the interest for such revolvers in the US market. Plenty of other people, like Val Forget, played a major role in developing the market. The Italians were willing and able to build to a price point in the late fifties and sixties, but so were the Spanish, and early clone imports included those from Eibar. The Italians stuck with it.
https://goneoutdoors.com/identify-generation-black-powder-revolver-7840958.html came up in a discussion I’d had with another member who was trying to remember the Italian guy’s name who started building Colt SA’s. As I wasn’t alive in the 60’s or 70’s, I cannot go off anything else. Clearly the source is incorrect about the date of black powder. And what I can find says smokeless was actually invented in 1884 by Paul Vieille and used in the first production rifle, the Lebel in 1886. That may be where you’re thinking of 1886. I have a nice example of one.
How did this come about and why?
This. In the early days, reproductions were being made in Belgium, Spain, and Italy, but also in Germany and Japan. Italy eventually developed the infrastructure in this industry, that made all the others uncompetitive.The Belgians (Centaur) started the reproduction craze. The 100 year anniversary of the Civil War kicked off the interest for such revolvers in the US market. Plenty of other people, like Val Forget, played a major role in developing the market. The Italians were willing and able to build to a price point in the late fifties and sixties, but so were the Spanish, and early clone imports included those from Eibar. The Italians stuck with it.
India is the latest to try to get in on the market. They make repops of a number of historic muskets but the flash holes aren't drilled so they can be had cheap as they aren't guns. BUT they are also not built to any level of quality control or proofing so buyer beware with those guys.
India is doing a nice job now with motorcycles, they kept the Royal Enfield name going long after it collapsed in England. Currently making an homage to the 60's bikes, but with modern techniques and modern standards, and at a low price point.
I'd love to see them bring their repros of Webley or Enfield break top revolvers here in a similar manner, with good quality and low price.