Gunshow in Norfolk

Doc Hoy · November 5, 2011, 12:17 PM

I am going to need your help guys.

I picked up an Uberti, what I think is a Cattleman 5 1/2 " barrel accept it is for powder and ball.

The frame is marked Pat. Sept. 19 1871 Then July 2, 72 and Jan 19, 75.

I would be more comfortable if it had said 1873, but I have no experience with this vintage revolver. This is he first one I have ever even examined let alone purchased. It certainly looks exactly like a cattleman

The pistol is unfired but no box or papers.

I gave 250.00 for the whole mess including a Treso flask, about a hundred caps and a hundred .451 balls, nipple wrench, some bore butter (which I will probably put on my next serving of ice cream) a telescoping measure, a ball starter and a beautiful oak box and a EWM holster.

Looks as though this revolver must be loaded with a press.

I looked at a Cattleman (think it was 45 LC) on Taylors. The price was 457.00 so I think I did okay but would love to have your opinion.

Photos are forth coming

Doc Hoy · November 5, 2011, 12:48 PM

Here is the box. You can tell that the handle is missing but that is relatively simple. I will probably replace the latches since they are little bit corroded.

Inside the box with pistol to give an idea of the size of the box.

Doc Hoy · November 5, 2011, 12:49 PM

Pistol with the holster.

Right side

Left side

My intention is to start by loading with a press, with loose powder and round ball. Looks like number ten caps will go best on the nipples. No wads.

Anyone with experinece on this specific revolver who has suggestions about other loads chime in.

zullo74 · November 5, 2011, 12:49 PM

Sounds like you did good. It must be loaded using a cylinder loading press. It is the same frame as a Uberti Cattleman except the firing pin hole is offset and modified to fire percussion caps. You're a lucky dog!

Doc Hoy · November 5, 2011, 04:51 PM

Thanks.

This pistol is in really great shape.

I am convinced it has never been fired, just handled.

It is the only Uberti I own.

mykeal · November 7, 2011, 02:09 PM

I've had one for several years. It's a fine shooting gun. I use 20-25 gr fffg real black (Goex) and a dry lubed felt overpowder wad. I use a loading press, of course. I have two spare cylinders that come in quite handy. I dont recall the caps. I'll look that up in the next couple days.

Smokin'Joe · November 7, 2011, 03:01 PM

Doc,
You done good! I'll give you $260.00 for the rig.
Enjoy, Joe

Doc Hoy · November 7, 2011, 03:34 PM

Mykeal,

Yep, Thats it, but with a 5.5 inch barrel. I am shooting Triple Seven so maybe a lighter load with the shorter barrel?

I found out it likes .454s better'n .451s. I had .451s kind of all over the place. But I actually had one group of .454s in about an inch and a half bench rested at 15 yards.

In the box were some RWS 1075s which were just slightly large. I had about one cap drop off on each round of six. I went to CCI 10s and they work much better. (After shooting up all of the 1075s)

There was also a tin of Alcan 12s.They are so big they are about the size of a shot glass. I don't have anything they will work on. I am pretty sure the previous owner didn't either. I think all hundred of them are still in the tin.

Smokin Joe,

I'll let you have everything I got, minus the pistol and the Treso flask for 260.00.

Huh? Deal? Huh? Huh?

In the serious side, I took the pistol out yesterday and had a great time. This is a shooter's pistol. It is easy to load. The caps go on with your fingers. When I get better with it, I think I will get it to hit POA pretty reliably.

It cleans up as easy as a Remington. All of the nipples were loose enough to turn them out with a nipple wrench and no profanity. Fit and finish on the pistol is easily as good as my 2nd and 3rd Gen Colts.

As Gene Autry said, "I like it."

arcticap · November 9, 2011, 01:04 PM

Traditions sells the comparable Pietta 1873 percussion models in various barrel lengths, and with or without a target sight.
Their specials page lists the 9.25" barrel with target sight for $369 and without a target sight for $329.
The Pietta 1873's that I've seen have had a polished brass grip frame and a beautiful overall fit and finish. I haven't fired one but they're comfortable to hold and seem to point really well too.

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...51a5c771a6be1e

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...51a5c771a6be1e

Doc Hoy · November 9, 2011, 01:55 PM

That is another danged revolver I need to get.

November 5, 2011, 12:17 PM	#1
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Gunshow in Norfolk I am going to need your help guys. I picked up an Uberti, what I think is a Cattleman 5 1/2 " barrel accept it is for powder and ball. The frame is marked Pat. Sept. 19 1871 Then July 2, 72 and Jan 19, 75. I would be more comfortable if it had said 1873, but I have no experience with this vintage revolver. This is he first one I have ever even examined let alone purchased. It certainly looks exactly like a cattleman The pistol is unfired but no box or papers. I gave 250.00 for the whole mess including a Treso flask, about a hundred caps and a hundred .451 balls, nipple wrench, some bore butter (which I will probably put on my next serving of ice cream) a telescoping measure, a ball starter and a beautiful oak box and a EWM holster. Looks as though this revolver must be loaded with a press. I looked at a Cattleman (think it was 45 LC) on Taylors. The price was 457.00 so I think I did okay but would love to have your opinion. Photos are forth coming __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 5, 2011, 12:48 PM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Photos Here is the box. You can tell that the handle is missing but that is relatively simple. I will probably replace the latches since they are little bit corroded. Inside the box with pistol to give an idea of the size of the box. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 5, 2011, 12:49 PM	#3
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Here are the photos of the revolver Pistol with the holster. Right side Left side My intention is to start by loading with a press, with loose powder and round ball. Looks like number ten caps will go best on the nipples. No wads. Anyone with experinece on this specific revolver who has suggestions about other loads chime in. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 5, 2011, 04:51 PM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Zullo Thanks. This pistol is in really great shape. I am convinced it has never been fired, just handled. It is the only Uberti I own. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath. Last edited by Doc Hoy; November 5, 2011 at 05:03 PM.

November 7, 2011, 03:34 PM	#8
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Mykeal and Smokin Joe Mykeal, Yep, Thats it, but with a 5.5 inch barrel. I am shooting Triple Seven so maybe a lighter load with the shorter barrel? I found out it likes .454s better'n .451s. I had .451s kind of all over the place. But I actually had one group of .454s in about an inch and a half bench rested at 15 yards. In the box were some RWS 1075s which were just slightly large. I had about one cap drop off on each round of six. I went to CCI 10s and they work much better. (After shooting up all of the 1075s) There was also a tin of Alcan 12s.They are so big they are about the size of a shot glass. I don't have anything they will work on. I am pretty sure the previous owner didn't either. I think all hundred of them are still in the tin. Smokin Joe, I'll let you have everything I got, minus the pistol and the Treso flask for 260.00. Huh? Deal? Huh? Huh? In the serious side, I took the pistol out yesterday and had a great time. This is a shooter's pistol. It is easy to load. The caps go on with your fingers. When I get better with it, I think I will get it to hit POA pretty reliably. It cleans up as easy as a Remington. All of the nipples were loose enough to turn them out with a nipple wrench and no profanity. Fit and finish on the pistol is easily as good as my 2nd and 3rd Gen Colts. As Gene Autry said, "I like it." __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath. Last edited by Doc Hoy; November 7, 2011 at 03:39 PM.

November 5, 2011, 12:49 PM	#4
zullo74 Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 374	Sounds like you did good. It must be loaded using a cylinder loading press. It is the same frame as a Uberti Cattleman except the firing pin hole is offset and modified to fire percussion caps. You're a lucky dog!

November 7, 2011, 02:09 PM	#6
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	I've had one for several years. It's a fine shooting gun. I use 20-25 gr fffg real black (Goex) and a dry lubed felt overpowder wad. I use a loading press, of course. I have two spare cylinders that come in quite handy. I dont recall the caps. I'll look that up in the next couple days.

November 7, 2011, 03:01 PM	#7
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	Doc, You done good! I'll give you $260.00 for the rig. Enjoy, Joe

November 9, 2011, 01:04 PM	#9
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Traditions sells the comparable Pietta 1873 percussion models in various barrel lengths, and with or without a target sight. Their specials page lists the 9.25" barrel with target sight for $369 and without a target sight for $329. The Pietta 1873's that I've seen have had a polished brass grip frame and a beautiful overall fit and finish. I haven't fired one but they're comfortable to hold and seem to point really well too. http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...51a5c771a6be1e http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...51a5c771a6be1e

November 9, 2011, 01:55 PM	#10
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Holy Crap! That is another danged revolver I need to get. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.