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?