Open tops are just sexy

hawkeye2 · Apr 10, 2022

I'm guessing you are referring to a Remington when you say 1861 New Army which is its correct designation. If Remington ever made this model with a half or full fluted cylinder I'm unaware of it and would appreciate a link to any info about one. Pietta has offered a full fluted version on and off over the years and while impressive in appearance and with better handling I have always regarded it as a fantasy gun (I have 2). I've seen the 1875 Remington which is somewhat similar but an entirely different gun sometimes called the "improved army" and the "frontier army" but I'm not sure if those terms were ever used by Remington or if they even go back to that time or are more modern.

Elkhorse · Apr 10, 2022

Zulch · Apr 11, 2022

Bad Karma said:
Without and with cap guards… if you ever even remotely consider an open top as a self defense pistol. Add these to your very carefully built load chain.
View attachment 133068
View attachment 133069

BadKarma, I am trying to understand based on the photos. This is like aquarium tubing? Cap on cone then tubing over cap? Slightly smaller tubing so a little pressure to slide over the cap is employed? Thanks. It sounds like a good idea if I am understanding correctly? Z

Dark Angel · Apr 11, 2022

hawkeye2 said:
I'm guessing you are referring to a Remington when you say 1861 New Army which is its correct designation. If Remington ever made this model with a half or full fluted cylinder I'm unaware of it and would appreciate a link to any info about one. Pietta has offered a full fluted version on and off over the years and while impressive in appearance and with better handling I have always regarded it as a fantasy gun (I have 2). I've seen the 1875 Remington which is somewhat similar but an entirely different gun sometimes called the "improved army" and the "frontier army" but I'm not sure if those terms were ever used by Remington or if they even go back to that time or are more modern.

Dark Angel · Apr 11, 2022

Not a Remington. (I've owned Remingtons even a brass framed 'Confederate Colt in .36 cal.) It's1861 Colt reproduction. Originally, according to my research, the fully fluted cylinder was uncommon. In fact, only produced 1 or 2 years as the 'fully' fluted cylinder was considered weak. SO, it's open topped, not a Remington and has a fully fluted cylinder.

hawkeye2 · Apr 11, 2022

Dark Angel said:
Not a Remington. (I've owned Remingtons even a brass framed 'Confederate Colt in .36 cal.) It's1861 Colt reproduction. Originally, according to my research, the fully fluted cylinder was uncommon. In fact, only produced 1 or 2 years as the 'fully' fluted cylinder was considered weak. SO, it's open topped, not a Remington and has a fully fluted cylinder.

You have an 1861 Colt Navy. To the best of my knowledge they have never been called anything but that. The 1861 Army was the second version of the Remington and the 1863 was the third or the New Model Army. Today all the reproductions are lumped together under the 1858 Remington designation.

There were some '61 Navys made with a full fluted cylinder but they are very rare. Uberti made some full fluted '61s but the flutes are not done correctly, they are like the '60 Army cylinders. If you have one then you have an interesting and somewhat scarce variation.

Dark Angel · Apr 12, 2022

hawkeye2 said:
You have an 1861 Colt Navy. To the best of my knowledge they have never been called anything but that. The 1861 Army was the second version of the Remington and the 1863 was the third or the New Model Army. Today all the reproductions are lumped together under the 1858 Remington designation.

There were some '61 Navys made with a full fluted cylinder but they are very rare. Uberti made some full fluted '61s but the flutes are not done correctly, they are like the '60 Army cylinders. If you have one then you have an interesting and somewhat scarce variation.

This discussion has taken a 'silly' turn. Will conclude with one more statement, then I am through with this thread. Don't remember the mfg. but the description when I ordered my revolver called it a 1861 Colt New Army, not Navy, not Remington. (I do know the difference of an open top revolver and one with a back strap.) As stated; while doing some research, discovered that the fully fluted cylinder variation was possibly called; New Frontier, which was a variation of the 1861 New Army. Thought I'd get some help, but only got confusion. BY Y'ALL!

Zulch · Apr 12, 2022

Dark Angel, I really am enjoying your post's. Just curious here, what is the caliber of your revolver? Would you be opposed to posting a picture of it? That would really be nice to see it. Thank you, Z

Dark Angel · Apr 12, 2022

Zulch said:
Dark Angel, I really am enjoying your post's. Just curious here, what is the caliber of your revolver? Would you be opposed to posting a picture of it? That would really be nice to see it. Thank you, Z

It's a ,44 cal. I load it with paper cartridges, rather than loose powder. As for a photo, I'm strictly Old School, No 'smart phone,' Have a flip phone. GASP!!!! It takes photos, as for posting on line, that's another story. If I can figure some way to take a photo, I will.

springfield art · Apr 12, 2022

Flyingbknives said:
Couple of Italian hotties on this cold Missouri day. View attachment 119812

Nice! I shortened the bbl. on my Pietta 1860 Colt, expecting to find a conversion cylinder for it. They are out of production, but it's a nice, percussion, handy pistol with 'aged' finish now.

Zulch · Apr 12, 2022

Dark Angel. Appreciate the reply. No worries about the photo. I totally understand

that’s great about loading paper cartridges. That’s Something that I need to learn how to do.

I was just curious if maybe your revolver might be a Pietta Outlaw? I looked up New Frontier but it has a top strap which isn’t what you have based on your description. Your revolver sounds interesting to me. Been reading some myself and back in the day as you may well know, Colt made some 1860 Army revolvers that had fluted cylinders. I think Pietta may have made a replica of that one and they called it an Outlaw? That’s why I ask. It’s definitely not a Navy being a .44 cal. I’m no expert so please correct me if I am in error on this “Outlaw”moniker. Anyone?
Anyway, I like the .44 cal revolvers. I’m sure it’s a fine shooter you got there

. I love my .44s!! thank you, Z

Zulch · Apr 12, 2022

Sorry, I did not mean to hijack this post. Please forgive my long winded-ness. Thanks all

Bad Karma · Apr 12, 2022

Dark Angel said:
This discussion has taken a 'silly' turn. Will conclude with one more statement, then I am through with this thread. Don't remember the mfg. but the description when I ordered my revolver called it a 1861 Colt New Army, not Navy, not Remington. (I do know the difference of an open top revolver and one with a back strap.) As stated; while doing some research, discovered that the fully fluted cylinder variation was possibly called; New Frontier, which was a variation of the 1861 New Army. Thought I'd get some help, but only got confusion. BY Y'ALL!

Colt called all of the 1860 .44’s New Model Army revolvers. The 1861 model was the New Model Navy. I’m sure you knew this. Maybe the manufacturer of your revolver came up with his own marketing ploy… in the best tradition of Samuel Colt.

frankie · Apr 12, 2022

Flyingbknives said:
Couple of Italian hotties on this cold Missouri day. View attachment 119812

yes they are. At the gun show in Tulsa there was one for $900. But it had a conversion cylinder in it and a loading gate installed. It shot 38 wad cutters. I will probably never see another one.

Dark Angel · Apr 13, 2022

Zulch said:
Dark Angel. Appreciate the reply. No worries about the photo. I totally understand that’s great about loading paper cartridges. That’s Something that I need to learn how to do. I was lust curious if maybe your revolver might be a Pietta Outlaw? I looked up New Frontier but it has a top strap which isn’t what you have based on your description. Your revolver sounds interesting to me. Been reading some myself and back in the day as you may well know, Colt made some 1860 Army revolvers that had fluted cylinders. I think Pietta may have made a replica of that one and they called it an Outlaw? That’s why I ask. It’s definitely not a Navy being a .44 cal. I’m no expert so please correct me if I am in error on this “Outlaw”moniker. Anyone?
Anyway, I like the .44 cal revolvers. I’m sure it’s a fine shooter you got there. I love my .44s!! thank you, Z

Found the box for my .44. It's a Uberti 1860 (not 1861, oops, my bad.) Army Fluted Steel. According to the box. As for paper cartridges, I priced purchasing everything needed for making them. No more shooting than I do. (I carry it mostly for self-defense. Just call me 'old fashioned.) I purchase them ready made. About $2.00 each sounds price, but the cost of materials and equipment for making them was about $200.00 and makes 50 cartridges. Not exactly economical.

Zulch · Apr 13, 2022

Great!! Mystery solved. Thanks for posting that DarkAngel. I would really love to see that one. The fluted cylinder version of that 1860 must be nice. I've only seen old original Colt 1860 pictures. If you will, when you have time, would you look for a date stamp on your revolver? I've attached a chart for examples. Also, I had no idea you could buy pre-made paper cartridges. Where do you purchase if I may ask? Thanks again. Z

Dark Angel · Apr 13, 2022

Zulch said:
Great!! Mystery solved. Thanks for posting that DarkAngel. I would really love to see that one. The fluted cylinder version of that 1860 must be nice. I've only seen old original Colt 1860 pictures. If you will, when you have time, would you look for a date stamp on your revolver? I've attached a chart for examples. Also, I had no idea you could buy pre-made paper cartridges. Where do you purchase if I may ask? Thanks again. ZView attachment 133734

Okay, looked everywhere for date stamp only found proof marks. Nothing matching anything on the chart. As for paper cartridges try; buffaloarms/-cpc44.html Listed price $14.99. This does not include taxes, shipping etc. You get 6 premade cartridges. Or, just type in Buffalo Arms in the address bar. This will give you access to their entire line c&b supplies. Lots of luck!

Zulch · Apr 13, 2022

Dark Angel said:
Okay, looked everywhere for date stamp only found proof marks. Nothing matching anything on the chart. As for paper cartridges try; buffaloarms/-cpc44.html Listed price $14.99. This does not include taxes, shipping etc. You get 6 premade cartridges. Or, just type in Buffalo Arms in the address bar. This will give you access to their entire line c&b supplies. Lots of luck!

Yours must be a newer revolver than 2015 then. I don’t have the latest dating chart. Thank you for the info on Buffalo Arms

I will check it out.

Dark Angel · Apr 14, 2022

Zulch said:
Yours must be a newer revolver than 2015 then. I don’t have the latest dating chart. Thank you for the info on Buffalo Arms I will check it out.

Not sure when it was made, only had it about a year. Good luck with the premade cartridges. They cut reload time by about 50%. No big deal ordinarily, but when faced with hostiles breathing down your neck, it makes a difference.

CaptainKirk · Apr 14, 2022

Dark Angel said:
Not sure when it was made, only had it about a year. Good luck with the premade cartridges. They cut reload time by about 50%. No big deal ordinarily, but when faced with hostiles breathing down your neck, it makes a difference.

The newest gun have the last two digits of the year produced in the box rather than letters; e.g. a gun built in 2021 will have the numerals "21" in a box.

Open tops are just sexy

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