1858 Remington Deluxe Model, aka Shooter's Model

[LonesomePigeon]

  I just bought a used Navy Arms 1858 Remington purpoted Deluxe Model made by Pietta in 2008 with AS date code. As I understand it the Deluxe Model is the same as the Shooter's Model and both should have progressive rifling, dovetail front sight and silver plated trigger guard. However, the one I got does not have a dovetail front sight but it does have the silver plated trigger guard and I am pretty sure it has progressive rifling. I mean, on the rifling it looks like how people have described progressive rifling to be but I am not really sure I am seeing it correctly or if I am just imagining it. I compared it to the regular rifling on my Pietta Target Model and it does look different to me. Plus the Target has 7 lands and 7grooves and the purported Deluxe Model I have has 5 lands and 5 grooves.
 
  Other markings on my purported Deluxe Model are: On the side of the barrel it says FLLI PIETTA - MADE IN ITALY,  under the loading lever it says BLACK POWDER ONLY 44 CAL., on the top of the barrel it says NAVY ARMS Co. RIDGEFIELD N.J. Under the barrel it also has a two digit number that looks like 46 or 48, on the bottom of the grip frame it has A0827 and on the rear of the cylinder it has 827.

  Can anyone tell me if this is a real Deluxe Model and/or if the Deluxe Model was ever produced without a dovetail front sight?

[Major 2]

[AS]  by the way is 1987  your SS#  A0827  falls in with 1987 A0582- A1254
you may have a  Pietta Remington Army "Shooters" Revolver
these had  5 land and 5 grooves & and standard post sight, silver plate TG

if you do...you SCORED !    

look for a N under the barrel 

[LonesomePigeon]

 An N(made with 4 diamonds) would mean Lothar Walther barrel, right? I don't see any N but it does have 5 lands and 5 grooves.

Can you point me to a source showing a Shooter's or a Deluxe with a post sight?

[Advertising]

[Major 2]

Yes Sir, that's where I was going  

[LonesomePigeon]

Here's a picture.
 

[Major 2]

here is a old Navy Arms / Replica Arms catalogs  circa 1988 ....

for $4  note: the photos with the Remingtons  3rd from the top

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-Navy-Arms-Co-Catalog-Dealer-price-list-cowboy-action-Mint-free-ship/321754490005?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30544%26meid%3D7a534497e00f421cbd6c50628e864297%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D161704994028&rt=nc

[Bishop Creek]

It appears that yours is a Pietta "Shooters" model, originally called the "Deluxe Model" back in the 1980s. I have owned two of them over the years and both had dovetailed front sights, but your barrel does have 5 lands and grooves like both of mine, though neither of mine had the Lothar Walther mark on the barrel. My first one was made around 1987 or so had a crowned muzzle, but the my newer one made in 2002, which I still own, does not. Also the "Shooters" model is the only Pietta Remington that I have ever seen with the numbers stamped on the back of the cylinder. Another thing to look for is a blued hammer as opposed to a cased hardened one. I also see that yours has the non-shiny grips like mine too. The A series serial numbers are used by Pietta to indicate Target model revolvers. The main difference is that both of mine had the Remington address stamped on top of the barrel, like this:



Take it out shooting. If it is dead on at 25 yards like both of mine, it is a "Shooters" model. Be sure to use .457 round balls. I had a Remington "Target" model at one time, with the fancy new type target sights and all, it couldn't hold a candle to the accuracy of the "Shooters" model.

[Bishop Creek]

Here is a picture of my first one which I sold over a decade ago. You can see the dovetailed sight on it. For some reason, I decided to defarb and "antique" it.  My newer one has Pietta markings on the right side.



Here is my new one. You'll notice that the dovetailed front sight is not quite a prominent as on the older model:

[LonesomePigeon]

Thanks for the info. I also want to note that mine has a blued hammer. If I can find some .457 round balls I might get to shoot it on Saturday. I will post results.

I also found it interesting that Dixie Gunworks currently seems to have two different models, both with progressive rifling but there are some differences:

RH0135 Pietta Remington Army "Shooter's" Revolver at $950. Appears to have a blued hammer and silver plated trigger guard and a dovetail sight. 1 in 30" twist.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=4098

SS1173 Dixie Remington New Model Army Revolver at $995. Appears to have a case hardened hammer and brass trigger guard. 1 in 32" twist. The type of sight is not mentioned.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=3533

[Bishop Creek]

Really strange, Dixie does have some very odd listings for cap and ball revolvers.

[Major 2]

I think    

SS1173 Dixie Remington New Model Army Revolver   $995.00

is this one ( even thought the description said Pietta  )

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipologia-prodotti.asp/l_en/idt_17/pistols-remington-pattern.html

[Bishop Creek]

I don't think so, looks like a Pietta to me. Here is another Dixie listing oddity, same gun, two different prices:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=4061

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1023

[Major 2]

Mayhaps your're correct 

[LonesomePigeon]

Maybe just different production runs of the same gun?