My little .44 collection

Beagle333 · January 25, 2012, 12:33 PM

It all started with the Uberti Walker (1991)
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...uns/Walker.jpg
It's got about 400 or so through it, and I've never taken it apart. I shudder to think what's in that case. It still works like it was NIB though. 'Hard to believe that for the first 4 years I wore this big thing as a sidearm on the farm. Many a canebrake rattler has fallen to the Walker. Those sneaky rascals were lying under every piece of wood or equipment on the farm, it seemed.

Then came the Piettas
There was the 1860 Army (1995)
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...0guns/Army.jpg
What a fun gun. I dont know how many it has had through it, but it's a lot. I just broke it down this week and there were 3 flattened caps in the case. Nothing jammed, I guess I was lucky.

Next, the 1851 Sheriff model (2009).
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...ns/sheriff.jpg
I have not shot this one. I'm figuring the little loading lever would be a bear on the hand to try to load it, but it serves me well just as a looker or perhaps a spare parts gun.

and then there is the shiny 1851 (also 2009)
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...uns/beater.jpg
which is currently in mid-cleaning, and it definitely was one of the Piettas assembled with the air ratchet. I stripped out the handle of my Chapman screwdriver trying to unscrew a couple of these (didn't mar the screw though). It is the prettiest, and also the worst one I ever bought. It has never been fired but it will flake nickel and gold plating all over you like handling a shedding lizard. I figure it will soon be just brass and white steel. I definitely overpaid for what I got, so it is moving to the front of the line as a shooter now. If you know of any way to go ahead and hasten the shedding process and then I can just blue it, I'd appreciate comments on that.

And just last week, I happened across this one, it's a 1860 Navy, I guess you would call it.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...uns/hybrid.jpg
I found a navy barrel and an army frame and cylinder (for a total of $130 shipped

) and the proof is 2011 on it. Beautiful dark grips and great case coloring on this one. When I opened it up, the inside is clean and nothing is worn. I don't think it was shot but a few times before somebody (for some reason) decided to sell half of it. I really prefer the 1860 grips to the 1851.

Doc Hoy · January 25, 2012, 02:22 PM

You are not alone in liking the larger 1860 grips.

Tnx,

Hellgate · January 25, 2012, 07:38 PM

I like the Navy grips the best, just not the odd shaped Pietta ones so If I get a Pietta with navy grips I try to swap them out for the Army ones but any other navy (Uberti, ASM ) fit me fine. The Colt SAA has Navy sized grips.

sandman_nv · January 27, 2012, 12:05 AM

very nice. looks like that Walker has well earned it's keep.

Beagle333 · January 27, 2012, 01:06 AM

Speaking of that Walker... I took it apart for the first time tonight. 'Not as bad in there as I thought. The guts were still at about 90%. Fully functional, but some rust and lots of soot in there.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...r-exploded.jpg
But I did learn something. After putting it all back together, the bolt would pop up at half cock and drag on the cylinder all the way to the slot. I took off the barrel and cylinder and it still did it, so I disassembled it again and used the bore light to slowly watch the bolt ride the cam. The trigger screw was a bit rusty and the trigger hadn't slid all the way to the side of the case when the screw was tightened and it was holding the bolt leg barely off the cam. Just a little jiggling of it back to it's correct position was all that was needed. I guess dirty parts really do cause failures. Anyway, it's back working again. And. . . it looks like we're gonna have a sunny day for Friday. Let's make some smoke!

zullo74 · January 27, 2012, 03:10 PM

Beagle,

The date code is a manufacture date not a proof date. The proof marks are undated.

Beagle333 · January 27, 2012, 04:10 PM

Zullo74,

Quote:

The date code is a manufacture date not a proof date. The proof marks are undated.

Since I bought everything new except the 1851-60 hybrid (but don't have all the original receipts anymore), I know this is at least pretty close to when I bought them. (1860 Army 2/17/95, 'just found the receipt) I can remember that both 1851's were purchased in Jan of 2010, and that I bought my farm late in 1990 and bought the Walker right after that.
Maybe I'm missing what you are saying. . . What are the letters in the box for, if they don't tell the proof date? I thought that was as close as I could get to finding the real mfg. date.

(If they are manufacture date, then I'd be right on the money)

I was going by this link
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...69&postcount=6

zullo74 · January 27, 2012, 04:59 PM

I think the proofing and manufacture are pretty close to the same. Here is a reference that says its the manufacture date despite what Mykeal says....

Beagle333 · January 27, 2012, 05:03 PM

Okay, thanks! I know exactly when it was made, instead of approximately. Even better. It's a learning curve and I can't even see the top.

arcticap · January 28, 2012, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zullo74

I think the proofing and manufacture are pretty close to the same. Here is a reference that says its the manufacture date despite what Mykeal says....

It seems that same reference page tends to use the terms year of proof symbols and the year of manufacture interchangeably. The year of manufacture and the year proof may be the same, but not necessarily.
It's confusing to people to say the least.

However the same reference page text clearly states:

Quote:

Following is a chart displaying the year of proof symbols used from 1954 to 2003.
These are traditionally found within
a box next to the individual proof house symbols.

http://www.powderhombre.com/mbpproofmarks.pdf

Because the year of proof symbols are located next the individual proof house marks, it makes sense that the code designates the year of proof.
Other countries do it that way, i.e. - have codes to designate the year of proof.
Notice the "Spanish Year of Proof Codes" on the following page.

http://9mmlargo.com/year_codes.htm

TATER · January 30, 2012, 05:36 PM

If so, How do I get one.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...ns/sheriff.jpg

Well, That did not work. So I'll ask, does the reference to the 51 Sheriff model pictured, have a round barrel?

Beagle333 · January 30, 2012, 06:21 PM

It is indeed a round barrel. I hadn't really thought about that. It just lives in the safe. It's not in my "shooter" rotation.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/Sheriff3.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/Sheriff2.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/Sheriff4.jpg
Where can you get one? I guess you could go to Cabelas.com, that's where I got it.

Hellgate · January 30, 2012, 06:28 PM

If the muzzle end of the barrel has flat sides, it is an octagon. It looks like your gun has flats and therefore looks like an octagonal barrel. If the muzzle end (where the front sight is mounted) is rounded then it is a round barrel regardless of the breech end which on yours is like a Dragoon: starts out octagon but transitions to a round barrel after about 2".

Beagle333 · January 30, 2012, 06:33 PM

Hellgate, I ain't even sure what you said.
It starts out octagon and the last 4" is round.

Hellgate · January 30, 2012, 06:44 PM

Beagle, I was answering Tater's question about his gun he showed a pic of. But you know, sometimes I don't know what I say sometimes either. He was asking if his was a roundbarrel and it is an octogon from the photo as best as I can tell by squinting.

TATER · January 30, 2012, 10:03 PM

No, no...Thats a pict of Beagle's Gun. I would love to find one, no luck though.

January 25, 2012, 12:33 PM	#1
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	My little .44 collection It all started with the Uberti Walker (1991) http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...uns/Walker.jpg It's got about 400 or so through it, and I've never taken it apart. I shudder to think what's in that case. It still works like it was NIB though. 'Hard to believe that for the first 4 years I wore this big thing as a sidearm on the farm. Many a canebrake rattler has fallen to the Walker. Those sneaky rascals were lying under every piece of wood or equipment on the farm, it seemed. Then came the Piettas There was the 1860 Army (1995) http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...0guns/Army.jpg What a fun gun. I dont know how many it has had through it, but it's a lot. I just broke it down this week and there were 3 flattened caps in the case. Nothing jammed, I guess I was lucky. Next, the 1851 Sheriff model (2009). http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...ns/sheriff.jpg I have not shot this one. I'm figuring the little loading lever would be a bear on the hand to try to load it, but it serves me well just as a looker or perhaps a spare parts gun. and then there is the shiny 1851 (also 2009) http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...uns/beater.jpg which is currently in mid-cleaning, and it definitely was one of the Piettas assembled with the air ratchet. I stripped out the handle of my Chapman screwdriver trying to unscrew a couple of these (didn't mar the screw though). It is the prettiest, and also the worst one I ever bought. It has never been fired but it will flake nickel and gold plating all over you like handling a shedding lizard. I figure it will soon be just brass and white steel. I definitely overpaid for what I got, so it is moving to the front of the line as a shooter now. If you know of any way to go ahead and hasten the shedding process and then I can just blue it, I'd appreciate comments on that. And just last week, I happened across this one, it's a 1860 Navy, I guess you would call it. http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...uns/hybrid.jpg I found a navy barrel and an army frame and cylinder (for a total of $130 shipped ) and the proof is 2011 on it. Beautiful dark grips and great case coloring on this one. When I opened it up, the inside is clean and nothing is worn. I don't think it was shot but a few times before somebody (for some reason) decided to sell half of it. I really prefer the 1860 grips to the 1851.

January 25, 2012, 02:22 PM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Good looking accumulation You are not alone in liking the larger 1860 grips. Tnx, __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

January 25, 2012, 07:38 PM	#3
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	I like the Navy grips the best, just not the odd shaped Pietta ones so If I get a Pietta with navy grips I try to swap them out for the Army ones but any other navy (Uberti, ASM ) fit me fine. The Colt SAA has Navy sized grips. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

January 30, 2012, 05:36 PM	#11
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Is this a round barrel? If so, How do I get one. http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...ns/sheriff.jpg Well, That did not work. So I'll ask, does the reference to the 51 Sheriff model pictured, have a round barrel? Last edited by TATER; January 30, 2012 at 05:45 PM.

January 30, 2012, 06:21 PM	#12
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Why yes it is. . . . It is indeed a round barrel. I hadn't really thought about that. It just lives in the safe. It's not in my "shooter" rotation. http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/Sheriff3.jpg http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/Sheriff2.jpg http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/Sheriff4.jpg Where can you get one? I guess you could go to Cabelas.com, that's where I got it.

January 27, 2012, 12:05 AM	#4
sandman_nv Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2012 Posts: 108	very nice. looks like that Walker has well earned it's keep.

January 27, 2012, 01:06 AM	#5
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Speaking of that Walker... I took it apart for the first time tonight. 'Not as bad in there as I thought. The guts were still at about 90%. Fully functional, but some rust and lots of soot in there. http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...r-exploded.jpg But I did learn something. After putting it all back together, the bolt would pop up at half cock and drag on the cylinder all the way to the slot. I took off the barrel and cylinder and it still did it, so I disassembled it again and used the bore light to slowly watch the bolt ride the cam. The trigger screw was a bit rusty and the trigger hadn't slid all the way to the side of the case when the screw was tightened and it was holding the bolt leg barely off the cam. Just a little jiggling of it back to it's correct position was all that was needed. I guess dirty parts really do cause failures. Anyway, it's back working again. And. . . it looks like we're gonna have a sunny day for Friday. Let's make some smoke!

January 27, 2012, 03:10 PM	#6
zullo74 Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 374	Beagle, The date code is a manufacture date not a proof date. The proof marks are undated.

January 27, 2012, 05:03 PM	#9
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Okay, thanks! I know exactly when it was made, instead of approximately. Even better. It's a learning curve and I can't even see the top.

January 30, 2012, 06:28 PM	#13
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	If the muzzle end of the barrel has flat sides, it is an octagon. It looks like your gun has flats and therefore looks like an octagonal barrel. If the muzzle end (where the front sight is mounted) is rounded then it is a round barrel regardless of the breech end which on yours is like a Dragoon: starts out octagon but transitions to a round barrel after about 2". __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

January 30, 2012, 06:33 PM	#14
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Hellgate, I ain't even sure what you said. It starts out octagon and the last 4" is round.

January 30, 2012, 06:44 PM	#15
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	Beagle, I was answering Tater's question about his gun he showed a pic of. But you know, sometimes I don't know what I say sometimes either. He was asking if his was a roundbarrel and it is an octogon from the photo as best as I can tell by squinting. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

January 30, 2012, 10:03 PM	#16
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	No, no...Thats a pict of Beagle's Gun. I would love to find one, no luck though.

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