John E Gren conversion

[Bittertrigger]

Picked up a John E Gren 1860 Army conversion 5 1/2 barrel in  44 Colt
I can find very little about John E Gren anyone know anything about the man and his guns
I know he was a gunsmith in Spokane Washington back in the 80s and 90s and he was the go to guy back then for conversions
and made his own cylinders, also read that he made some conversions for Kevin Costner in Tombstone and converted Gus's Colt Walker to cartridge in Lonesome Dove
Any information would be appreciated

[Major 2]

We'd like to see your gun, will you post some Photo's ?

I had sought a Gren myself, having one of the other contemporary makers Howell. Millington, Anderson and the fitters G. Barnes , Kirst & Stirte .
Even have one the Legal Defenders from a fellow in Georgia , I lacked a Gren , always just a tad late if/when one popped up 

[Bittertrigger]

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos

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[Bittertrigger]

I was wondering about Loads for this pistol
I know it says Blackpowder only on the side
I was wondering if I could use trail boss
IMR list 3grs of trail boss at 563 fps with a 240gr bullet
I was thinking a 3gr load behind a 240gr soft lead bullet
This load should be below a standered BP load
Any thoughts on this load.

[The Pathfinder]

Bittertrigger, nice find there. One thing you might want to verify is whether the bore is lined or not. Gren would do conversions in either the 'new' 44 colt (.429) or the 'original' heel base (.450) version. The black powder only warning is because of the doner guns being built of softer steel than the cartridge guns coming out of Italy. I had John do one up for me in '89, used an unfired ASM 1860 Civilian frame built with a navy size grip. I went with the 'original' version of the cartridge, and while fun (frustrating) I wish I had planned ahead and gone with the 'new' version; much easier to load for. Hope you have as much fun with it as I've had with mine over the years.

[Bittertrigger]

Thank you Pathfinder
I slugged the barrel this evening and the plug came out .430
Goex list a 210gr bullet with 23gr of FF powder at 660fps
As posted IMR list a 240gr bullet with 3gr of TB at 563fps at 6800 cup
Or a 200gr bullet with 3gr of TB at 595fps at 4800 cup
These loads should be ok as long as the bullet is solt lead wouldn't you think

[wildman1]

The pressure curve is not the same with Smokiless as with BP. TB actually has a very HIGH pressure compared to the velocity that you get with other smokiless powders. Certainly much higher in comparison than BP. Just look in Hodgdens loadbook for cowboy loads and compare loads, velocities and pressures. wM1

[The Pathfinder]

Bittertrigger, while I have been know to run smokeless loads thru my Open Tops and RII, I only run BP in the old Gren; but considering every round is a do it yourself proposition with the heel bullet, it doesn't get shot very often anymore. Not knowing your doner gun and what the history of its treatment over its life, I would tend to stay on the mild side to start.

[Bittertrigger]

Gentlemen I thank you for your info an your council
Loading BP is not a issue and that is what the
old girl will get
Bass has came in the melting pot will be heating up tonight for a weekend of fun
Thank you

[Bittertrigger]

Well the old girl turned out to be a great shooter
20 grains of 2f Goex powder top with a 200 grain bullet
Would like to see some other John Gren pistols
So post your pics

[Hoof Hearted]

We'd like to see your gun, will you post some Photo's ?

I had sought a Gren myself, having one of the other contemporary makers Howell. Millington, Anderson and the fitters G. Barnes , Kirst & Stirte .
Even have one the Legal Defenders from a fellow in Georgia , I lacked a Gren , always just a tad late if/when one popped up 

Hey..........
Besides being a "fitter" I am also a Gunsmith and I have my own conversion (the THUER) so can I also be referred to as a "contemporary maker"?

HH

[Major 2]

No slight was intended 

[Hoof Hearted]

No slight was intended 

Well shoot.............I was kinda hoping for permission (maybe I've been gone too long )
You know it feels pretty good to poke Major2 with a stick now and then

HH