Traditions Spiller and Burr .36

Craig010 · June 4, 2013, 10:32 PM

Good Evening, Everyone.

I picked up a Spiller and Burr .36 revolver at auction for what I think is a great price. The gun barely looks used. Down side is it's missing the front sight and although I haven't torn it apart yet, I'm guessing the hand spring is broken since the hand doesn't engage the cylinder.

The pistol was sold as an Italian import but has absolutely no proof marks or other markings short of a serial number. When I started digging around is when I found a photo of the exact same pistol on Traditions website.

I've checked a couple of my usual parts sites, but keep coming up with a blank on parts for Traditions. Anyone have any ideas or know of a good source?

Thanks, Craig

Doc Hoy · June 5, 2013, 06:49 AM

Dixie Gun Works,

Numrich Arms

VPI

You may not find a listing for Traditions but it is probably either ASM or Pietta depending upon its age.

Is some cases mosting having to do with internals (IIRC), Dixie has taken to calling their parts "for Italian imports" At least I think that is the phrase. The implications is that the parts are physically very similar and in most cases require some final fitting no matter what.

Craig010 · June 5, 2013, 08:00 AM

Thanks, Doc. I'll dig back into a parts search this evening.

I read someplace else, maybe another string here, that Traditions is really just a reseller. The fact that there are absolutely no marks what-so-ever on the pistol through me off the trail. Every Italian pistol I'd seen up to now had the usual set of date and proof marks.

I'll try to post some pictures of it this evening. One of the reasons I bought it is because it is just a beautiful piece of work.

~Craig

Doc Hoy · June 5, 2013, 08:23 AM

Traditions imports, I believe, exclusively Pietta products.

The absense of markings is an indication that it might have begun life as a kit but on the other hand, since it has a serial number I think that is not the case. I am not aware of a Spiller and Burr in kit form, but there are plenty of things I don't know about.

On the other hand, Armi San Poalo was noted for clever masking of the markings of manufacture. Put them in out-of-the-way places and in locations which required disassembly in order to find them. They were also noted for dovetailing sights.

In either case a little conversation with the parts wheenies will be helpful. I recommend a call to VTI first. The folks who answer the phone are apparently right next to the folks who are smart about the parts applicability. This is not the case with Dixie. Great operation but a little less user friendly.

When you get it apart, you may find that the only casualties to the revolver are reversable with a little cleaning and lubricant.

Fingers McGee · June 5, 2013, 09:50 AM

What Doc said +1

Craig010 · June 5, 2013, 09:09 PM

Thanks, Guys.

I found a schematic for a Pietta 1862 Spiller and Burr on VTI. Also found the parts listed on a site called Taylor Firearms. Anyone ever heard of Taylor before? It's a new one on me and the prices are about half to two-thirds those of VTI. Probably go with VTI since I've done business with them before and trust them.

Here's a couple of pics of the pistol from the auction site. It looks as good in real life as it does in the pics. I'm thinking for $160 I may have done good by myself. lol

~Craig

Fingers McGee · June 5, 2013, 10:13 PM

Taylors is another great company to do business with. I've dealt with both and have never had an unpleasant experience.

Doc Hoy · June 6, 2013, 05:20 AM

Yep, Good move. I forgot Taylors.

I don't know if it might be the photo, but that revolver has a nice red patina to it.

It appears that the cylinder has been refinished.

Craig010 · June 6, 2013, 07:58 AM

Thanks again for the replies, guys. Maybe I'll give Taylor's a go just to see how they do. First I need to tear it down and give it a good going over to see what I really need.

Doc, I think it's just the picture. The gun does has an amazing blue fiinish. One of the nicest ones I've ever came across.

~Craig

LeadZinger · June 6, 2013, 12:13 PM

My Spiller & Burr is a kit gun that I purchased from Dixie a couple of years ago. It is made by Pietta. As Doc points out, since yours has serial numbers it probably is not a kit gun. I doubt it is a Pietta based on absense of the notorious "Pietta Billboard" on the right side of barrell. Mine has it and nothing else at all besides the BP warning on other side. The grips on yours seem much to nice to come from a Pietta kit also. I could be wrong, perhaps it is a Pietta manufactured before their advertising dept. went crazy.

You've got the names of where to get parts. In a pinch you can use Remington 1858 Army parts with minor modifications. You got an excellent buy at $160, kits are generally closer to $200 and finished S&B closeer to $250. You will really enjoy shooting the S&B.

Craig010 · June 6, 2013, 08:26 PM

LeadZinger, would you believe Traditions has it on their website for $305? I about choked when I stumbled across that.

https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/p...volver-.36-cal

~Craig

101combatvet · June 7, 2013, 09:55 PM

Damn... that looks like a nice pistol!

June 4, 2013, 10:32 PM	#1
Craig010 Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 30	Traditions Spiller and Burr .36 Good Evening, Everyone. I picked up a Spiller and Burr .36 revolver at auction for what I think is a great price. The gun barely looks used. Down side is it's missing the front sight and although I haven't torn it apart yet, I'm guessing the hand spring is broken since the hand doesn't engage the cylinder. The pistol was sold as an Italian import but has absolutely no proof marks or other markings short of a serial number. When I started digging around is when I found a photo of the exact same pistol on Traditions website. I've checked a couple of my usual parts sites, but keep coming up with a blank on parts for Traditions. Anyone have any ideas or know of a good source? Thanks, Craig __________________ Craig King [email protected] http://www.kingsarmory.biz/

June 5, 2013, 06:49 AM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Craig Dixie Gun Works, Numrich Arms VPI You may not find a listing for Traditions but it is probably either ASM or Pietta depending upon its age. Is some cases mosting having to do with internals (IIRC), Dixie has taken to calling their parts "for Italian imports" At least I think that is the phrase. The implications is that the parts are physically very similar and in most cases require some final fitting no matter what. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

June 5, 2013, 08:00 AM	#3
Craig010 Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 30	Thanks, Doc. I'll dig back into a parts search this evening. I read someplace else, maybe another string here, that Traditions is really just a reseller. The fact that there are absolutely no marks what-so-ever on the pistol through me off the trail. Every Italian pistol I'd seen up to now had the usual set of date and proof marks. I'll try to post some pictures of it this evening. One of the reasons I bought it is because it is just a beautiful piece of work. ~Craig __________________ Craig King [email protected] http://www.kingsarmory.biz/

June 5, 2013, 08:23 AM	#4
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Correct Traditions imports, I believe, exclusively Pietta products. The absense of markings is an indication that it might have begun life as a kit but on the other hand, since it has a serial number I think that is not the case. I am not aware of a Spiller and Burr in kit form, but there are plenty of things I don't know about. On the other hand, Armi San Poalo was noted for clever masking of the markings of manufacture. Put them in out-of-the-way places and in locations which required disassembly in order to find them. They were also noted for dovetailing sights. In either case a little conversation with the parts wheenies will be helpful. I recommend a call to VTI first. The folks who answer the phone are apparently right next to the folks who are smart about the parts applicability. This is not the case with Dixie. Great operation but a little less user friendly. When you get it apart, you may find that the only casualties to the revolver are reversable with a little cleaning and lubricant. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

June 5, 2013, 09:50 AM	#5
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	What Doc said +1 __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

June 5, 2013, 10:13 PM	#7
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	Taylors is another great company to do business with. I've dealt with both and have never had an unpleasant experience. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

June 6, 2013, 05:20 AM	#8
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	C010 and FM Yep, Good move. I forgot Taylors. I don't know if it might be the photo, but that revolver has a nice red patina to it. It appears that the cylinder has been refinished. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

June 6, 2013, 07:58 AM	#9
Craig010 Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 30	Thanks again for the replies, guys. Maybe I'll give Taylor's a go just to see how they do. First I need to tear it down and give it a good going over to see what I really need. Doc, I think it's just the picture. The gun does has an amazing blue fiinish. One of the nicest ones I've ever came across. ~Craig __________________ Craig King [email protected] http://www.kingsarmory.biz/

June 6, 2013, 12:13 PM	#10
LeadZinger Member Join Date: December 9, 2011 Posts: 47	Real Nice My Spiller & Burr is a kit gun that I purchased from Dixie a couple of years ago. It is made by Pietta. As Doc points out, since yours has serial numbers it probably is not a kit gun. I doubt it is a Pietta based on absense of the notorious "Pietta Billboard" on the right side of barrell. Mine has it and nothing else at all besides the BP warning on other side. The grips on yours seem much to nice to come from a Pietta kit also. I could be wrong, perhaps it is a Pietta manufactured before their advertising dept. went crazy. You've got the names of where to get parts. In a pinch you can use Remington 1858 Army parts with minor modifications. You got an excellent buy at $160, kits are generally closer to $200 and finished S&B closeer to $250. You will really enjoy shooting the S&B.

June 6, 2013, 08:26 PM	#11
Craig010 Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 30	LeadZinger, would you believe Traditions has it on their website for $305? I about choked when I stumbled across that. https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/p...volver-.36-cal ~Craig __________________ Craig King [email protected] http://www.kingsarmory.biz/

June 7, 2013, 09:55 PM	#12
101combatvet Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Posts: 667	Damn... that looks like a nice pistol! __________________ Special Operations Combat Veteran Gunsmith, BS, MFA, Competitive Shooter NRA Certified Firearms Instructor [9 Certifications]

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