What do I have here?

[Gtrubicon]

Hello, the first time I held an 1851 revolver was last week when I came across this one. I didn’t notice till I was taking it apart to clean that there was no engraving on the cylinder. I did find info on how to date it, if I’m correct it was made in 1968. I’d love to hear from you all on what kind of replica it is? Who manufactured it etc. Thanks.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Forgot to add this picture.

 

[Grenadier1758]

What you have already determined, @Gtrubicon, is an Italian replica made in 1968 (XXIV). You have the Gardone proof stamp. The EIG is a stamp of a group of Italian manufacturers that were exporting the copies to support the growing American Civil War reenacting. Your model is a copy of the brass framed replicas built in the Confederate states which were more or less copies of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver. There is no need for the cylinder to have roll engraving. The NAVY stamp is an indication of the caliber which should be 36 caliber. NO matter what measure the diameter of the cylinder mouth to determine the proper ball size which should be 0.005" to 0.010" larger than the diameter of cylinder mouth. I am guessing that the stamps on the grip indicate that the manufacturer was Armi San Paolo or Euroarms.

There were two CSA makers of revolvers using then open top brass frames. One was Griswold and Gunnison. I forget the other CSA manufacturer.

 

[William Lincoln]

Grenadier 1758 is likely correcto. Two or three makers in the South copied the
Colt 1851 design--although they often had round barrels. The living expert
on this, to my knowledge is Mike Bellevue (duelist 1954 on Youtube). I have
a similar one imported by Navy Arms with brass frame. Very nice revolvers.
They shoot great, and use less powder. BUT it would be worth it to have a good
Smith experienced with revolvers tune it up--like goons. These are keepers.
Unless you overload the chambers repeatedly the brass holds fine. 15 to 18 grs
will be accurate and plenty for the 36 ball. They are beautiful hand tools.

 

[Hawk54]

That is an Italian made copy of a confederate .36 Schneider and Glassick. The Schneider and Glassick is recognized by the brass frame with smooth cylinder and octagonal barrel. The pistol was imported by EIG (Saul Eig) and was manufactured for EIG by Luciano Giacosa (GLB). The other confederate navy pistol copy maker that Grenadier 1758 is referring too is the Griswold and Gunnison .36 copy. That is recognized by the brass frame and smooth cylinder but has a round barrel instead of octagonal.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Excellent information! Thank you very much for your replie.

 

[Gtrubicon]

I disassembled the entire gun, hammer and hand are very worn, it had 2 flat springs installed on top of each other. Will Pietta parts fit this gun?