Author Topic: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver  (Read 12694 times)

Offline Jubal Starbuck

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Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« on: November 29, 2017, 04:40:51 AM »
     I went to breakfast at a local café yesterday where a former coworker offered me a brass framed 5" barreled Colt style 1851 in .44 caliber at a reasonable price that appears to be unfired.  I normally avoid brass framed revolvers since purchasing my first one, an EIG .36 caliber i851 in 1968, but I thought this would give me a winter project to tinker with. The bottom barrel flat is stamped with a "BFB".  Does anybody know who might have made this revolver? There is no discernable year of manufacture stamp on it. The barrel
has milling marks left on all surfaces and the cylinder has no engraving on it.
    Any input would be appreciated.

     Regards,

     Jubal Starbuck

Offline Major 2

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2017, 05:32:54 AM »
"...The barrel has milling marks left on all surfaces "

sounds like a kit ,   "BFB" is not registering in my brain box  :-\  I  recall  FIE ,  CVA , EIG as importers
and makers ASM , ASP ( DGG ) and Uberti was once GU for Gregorelli & Uberti

  *
 P N  is a proof mark = P POLVERE – POWDER,  N NERA – BLACK)

If you could post photo's it might help.

or perhaps "Fingers McGee " will chime in  :)

when planets align...do the deal !

Offline hellgate

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2017, 09:18:30 AM »
What the hell does Fingers know?*  ;D ;D ;D




*Just kidding!
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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #3 on: Today at 10:01:30 AM »

Offline Noz

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2017, 10:21:35 AM »
What the hell does Fingers know?  ;D ;D ;D
Based on the volume of his cap and ball collection, I would say A LOT.

Offline Fingers McGee

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2017, 12:23:46 PM »
What the hell does Fingers know?*  ;D ;D ;D

*Just kidding!

Yeah, what the hell do I know???

BFB came up once before (?? years ago??).  I don't remember what the result was.  I'll look through my references & see if I can find it.
Pictures might help - are there any other markings?

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Online Coffinmaker

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2017, 12:35:25 PM »

 REALLY??  Aw Cummon > > > > > >

BFB =

BIG

FREEKING

BOOMER

Everbody knowz zat!! 

This post demonstrates I have no freeking idea what BFB denotes and is therefore a prime ignorable.  We shall also note I have contributed absolutely nothing of value to this thread and it should become oblivious that I are BORED today.  HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

Offline Lefty Dude

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2017, 02:45:18 PM »
My CVA 61/36 Kit Gun has no markings. My research indicates it to be a ASM, parts & pieces.

Offline john boy

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2017, 03:09:18 PM »
 Black Rifle Boys - US = BFB - Lindsay, CA

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/NCIC_Gun_codes_490348_7.pdf
Amazing website - 380 pages of NCIC Gun Codes
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Offline Major 2

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2017, 04:03:20 PM »
Yeah !    ah.... nope

Only if it is semi auto or select fire,  black ops  1851 Navy  ;)

BTW... a brass frame, octagon barrel, plain cylinder percussion revolver was a Schneider & Glassick.


The Dr. Jim Davis collection might shed light
or contact RPRCA = Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association directly.
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Sir Charles deMouton-Black

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2017, 05:17:00 PM »
Yeah !    ah.... nope

Only if it is semi auto or select fire,  black ops  1851 Navy  ;)

BTW... a brass frame, octagon barrel, plain cylinder percussion revolver was a Schneider & Glassick.

The Dr. Jim Davis collection might shed light
or contact RPRCA = Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association directly.

We saw this one several years ago. Here's the story.  Sorry Pards. too many off-topic remarks just opened the door;

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/10/daniel-zimmerman/is-the-48-shot-enouy-the-most-unusual-revolver-in-history/
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Offline Professor Marvel

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #10 on: November 29, 2017, 08:10:53 PM »
here's some hints from our friends on another site:

https://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-560401.html

"SDC wrote
March 20, 2015, 07:18 AM
The Italian proof house has a book out called "100 anni di prove"/"100 years of proof" that shows this mark as belonging to a Sarezzo company called "Fusav di Bini & Baronio", founded Oct. 13, 1977, but I've got no other info on them. I hope it's at least a little bit of a lead."

and another from oour friend Prarie Dawg:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1978-colt-navy-made-by-fusav-di-bini-baronio-ohio.778421/

"

        I have for sale a rare pistol, at least for USA collections.

        It is a brass framed .36 Navy Colt that was made in 1978 by a short-lived company founded in October , 1977 called "Fusav di Bini & Baronio".

        Only a few of their guns are still found.

        Their mark iunder the loading lever is "BFB".

        This one came to me as unfired, and I can find no evidence of this one ever having been fired.

        The previous owner kept it in a display in his gun room.

        Specifications:
        Manufacturer -- Fusav di Bini & Baronio (Italy)
        Date Code -- "AD" = 1978 date of manufacture
        Barrel Markings:
        Left side -- 36 Cal. Navy Model
        Right side -- Black Powder Only -- Made In Italy
        Bottom flat -- "BFB" (manufacturer's mark)
        Caliber -- 36 (.380 round ball)
        Barrel -- 7.5 inch octagon
        Bore -- Excellent
        Cylinder charge holes -- Excellent
        Factory nipples
        Engraved cylinder
        Navy grips -- Excellent
        Bluing is very good -- Some bluing loss in cylinder notches from bolt.

        Just a super little 36!

......
        --Dawg in Ohio
 
    Prairie Dawg, Apr 17, 2015"

and somebody in the UK saved a single image from THR onto pintrest, titled
"1978 Colt Navy Made By "Fusav di Bini & Baronio" -- Ohio - THR"
 -


I will add this one to my notes!

hope this helps
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Offline Major 2

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #11 on: November 30, 2017, 04:23:12 AM »
here's some hints from our friends on another site:

https://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-560401.html

"SDC wrote
March 20, 2015, 07:18 AM
The Italian proof house has a book out called "100 anni di prove"/"100 years of proof" that shows this mark as belonging to a Sarezzo company called "Fusav di Bini & Baronio", founded Oct. 13, 1977, but I've got no other info on them. I hope it's at least a little bit of a lead."

and another from oour friend Prarie Dawg:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1978-colt-navy-made-by-fusav-di-bini-baronio-ohio.778421/

"

        I have for sale a rare pistol, at least for USA collections.

        It is a brass framed .36 Navy Colt that was made in 1978 by a short-lived company founded in October , 1977 called "Fusav di Bini & Baronio".

        Only a few of their guns are still found.

        Their mark iunder the loading lever is "BFB".

        This one came to me as unfired, and I can find no evidence of this one ever having been fired.

        The previous owner kept it in a display in his gun room.

        Specifications:
        Manufacturer -- Fusav di Bini & Baronio (Italy)
        Date Code -- "AD" = 1978 date of manufacture
        Barrel Markings:
        Left side -- 36 Cal. Navy Model
        Right side -- Black Powder Only -- Made In Italy
        Bottom flat -- "BFB" (manufacturer's mark)
        Caliber -- 36 (.380 round ball)
        Barrel -- 7.5 inch octagon
        Bore -- Excellent
        Cylinder charge holes -- Excellent
        Factory nipples
        Engraved cylinder
        Navy grips -- Excellent
        Bluing is very good -- Some bluing loss in cylinder notches from bolt.

        Just a super little 36!

......
        --Dawg in Ohio
 
    Prairie Dawg, Apr 17, 2015"

and somebody in the UK saved a single image from THR onto pintrest, titled
"1978 Colt Navy Made By "Fusav di Bini & Baronio" -- Ohio - THR"
 -


I will add this one to my notes!

hope this helps
prof marvel

The fine Professor gets the cookie , he is the super sleuth....
The fact that " Even Dr. Davis has not heard of them. " is significant.   
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Jubal Starbuck

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #12 on: December 01, 2017, 04:53:58 AM »
    Thanks to everybody  who responded.  I am amazed at how fast you guys solved this mystery.

    Jubal Starbuck
   
     New Schneider and Glassic owner

Offline Major 2

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #13 on: December 01, 2017, 07:56:57 AM »
Would still like to see photos ....If you like email them and I post them for you ...

Meanwhile, I never set out to collect Brasser's however, I have amassed a few mostly hand me downs or inexpensive yard sale finds.

 Here are a few  

Top to bottom ...A Pietta Griswold & Gunnison , An unknown Schneider & Glassick completely devoid of any marks,
  only marks on #3  one are Spiller & Anson Tenn.  ( a defarb/aged job with made up name )
and #4 is a Gregorelli & Uberti

and a Pietta Spiller & Burr
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Jubal Starbuck

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #14 on: December 02, 2017, 06:03:54 PM »
     Major 2,  if you send me your email address I will try to send pictures.

Offline Major 2

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #15 on: December 02, 2017, 06:18:21 PM »
Here you go.... Nice grips !

Nope not a kit....  but , if it were mine ( and yeah ! I might have jumped on it myself) I'd defarb and polish out the barrel flat's
but leave "BFB"  ....

There is a tutorial on the Open Top forum to do just that ... it needs a little timing work too, bolt is dragging ...


when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Jubal Starbuck

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #16 on: December 06, 2017, 04:53:32 AM »
     Thanks for posting the pictures Major. The grips have been stripped of their finish so walnut stain and oil can be applied.  They were pretty thick also, so I thinned 'em down some.  Polishing the barrel and defarbing as well as tuning are on the list of things to do this winter. The "BFB" stamp will be left alone.

Offline Crow Choker

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #17 on: December 07, 2017, 08:11:18 AM »
Yo' Jubal! Different lookin with the plain (no engraved) cylinder. Like that look. Wouldn't mind having a Dragoon or '60 Army with a plain blued cylinder. Nice lookin grips-are they maple?  Sort of have the burled maple grain in them. They left millin' marks for sure on the barrel-maybe that was their attempt at a 'matte' finish.  ;D. Next time I'm up yer way I'll have ta take a look see at it. I've enough Dykem Blue Fluid (I'll never use it all) if ya want to use some to time the action, can bring along.
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Offline swartz1972

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Re: Manufacturer's marks on older cap & ball revolver
« Reply #18 on: May 23, 2018, 01:20:27 PM »
first off i would like to thank you guys for identifying my recent purchase without knowing you did !
thanks for the wisdom !
second  some of you mention  you would be interested in one of these Fusav di Bini & Baronio revolvers for your collection ? i picked up a  1851 sheriff in 44caliber  with bfb under barrel , date code is unreadable but is present . a very light strike as half the box is  not showing , yet all the proofs and  print are very readable . if interested message me i will offer you a lower rate than i list it for  . but i will be listing on gbroker  within next few days  . if not  thanks for the advice  and wisdom !

 

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