Author Topic: A Different Conversion Cylinder  (Read 2524 times)

Offline AntiqueSledMan

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A Different Conversion Cylinder
« on: July 21, 2020, 03:21:04 PM »
Hello all,

I found these photo’s on the homegunsmith forum about 10 years ago.

The author (Bulldogger) wrote, “It's an old kit from the 80's, made by a fellow in Indiana. My guess is he took new
BP Pietta cylinders (or similar mfr) and cut them to make cartridge conversions. Naturally they are BP only,
making them similar to the old kits that came out in the 1870's and 1880's to refit existing pistols back then.”

It must be a chambered for the 44 Colt with a heeled bullet, straight thru bore.
It seams to have a bushing installed in the rear portion, maintaining gap for the cartridge rim.
I can’t see a locating pin. It looks like the Nipple Holes house the 6 individual firing pins.
I would guess it was cut with a 0.060” parting tool, leaving the gap for the Rims.
If anyone has any info about this type of conversion I'd sure like to hear from you.

Thanks, AntiqueSledMan.

Offline The Pathfinder

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2020, 04:18:41 PM »
AntiqueSledMan, I'll have to go thru the parts boxes, but I think I have the same type of cylinder. They were being sold by a guy who had a booth over at Friendship, Indiana at the NMLRA national shoots. He was working on designing and building up conversion units for both the Remingtons and the Colts. The holes are for the firing pin to pass thru, and it was designed for mounting a very long firing pin into the hammer at a particular angle which I don't know. I picked mine up in at the fall shoot in 1989, and he was supposed to have premade hammers at the spring shoot the next year. Lo and behold Uncle Sam looked at me two weeks after the shoot and I woke up New years morning in Alaska. By the time I was able to get back to Friendship in 1993, he was nowhere to be found. I'll see if I can find it and post pics to see if it is the same type. Oh they are chambered for the heel type 44 Colt.

Offline Major 2

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2020, 04:30:51 PM »
I recall there was a Cylinder, called the Defender
 it was offered in Popular Machanics ( that was different time  ::) ) for one place, I also saw it in Gun Mags of the era.
That was before Kenny Howell , Millington and even Gren .
when planets align...do the deal !

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #3 on: Today at 05:04:19 AM »

Offline AntiqueSledMan

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2020, 05:55:11 PM »
Hello Major 2,

I have pictures of the Legal Defender, it was designed to shoot 38 S&W and had a back plate.

Pathfinder,

I'd love more info, thanks.

AntiqueSledMan.

Offline Major 2

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2020, 07:01:24 PM »
That's it Legal Defender  :)   
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Reverend P. Babcock Chase

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2020, 08:55:26 PM »
Have a legal defender on a 51 navy. Where the bullets go after exiting the barrel depends on which side of the barrel they rattle down after exiting the cylinder. Haven had any luck with hollow base WC's either.

Reverend Chase

Offline AntiqueSledMan

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2020, 05:38:16 AM »
Hello Reverend,


My notes say that the 38 S&W bullet diameter is .359".
Your barrel is .375" - .380", the math doesn't work.
If it was me, I'd cut the Cylinder smooth straight through and shoot a .375" Heeled Bullet.
My 1858 in 44 Colt shoot's .451" Heeled Bullets just fine.

AntiqueSledMan.

Offline Reverend P. Babcock Chase

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2020, 09:23:21 AM »
Thanx Sledster,

I've thought of that, but I'm not sure about getting into the heeled bullet deal. I'm thinking sleeving the barrel would be better in the long run so I could use std 38 S&W dies, bullets, etc.

Rev. Chase

Offline Marshal Will Wingam

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2020, 10:41:58 AM »
Kenny Howell does barrel lining for $115. Not a bad price.

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Offline AntiqueSledMan

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2020, 03:15:21 PM »
Well Reverend,

I guess if one can get a barrel lined for $115, it's a no brainer.
Surely a lot easier, but it will take some of the fun out of it.
A good mold will run $100, crimping die will run $50.
Of course when I did my 44 Colt, I had access to the equipment at work.
I made a Heel Swaging Die, I made a correct length Crimping Die,
I even made a Lubricator to fit on my Cylinder Press which I also made afterhours.
One benefit I really miss since retiring a year ago.

AntiqueSledMan.

Offline Reverend P. Babcock Chase

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2020, 06:21:52 PM »
Howdy Will and Sledster,

You guys pretty much confirmed my thinking. Thanx.

Rev. Chase

Offline Marshal Will Wingam

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2020, 09:34:03 PM »
Reverend, after you get yours working right, whichever way you decide to go, post back here with your results. We're a mighty curious bunch.  :D

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Offline FriscoCounty

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2020, 08:03:20 PM »
Hoof Hearted has a couple of posts here on how to load heeled bullets.  https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,24196.0.html

He can also hook you up with all the equipment you need and custom work, if need be, to make it happen. http://www.cartridgeconversion.com/Heel_Base.php

I have a pair of 1851s with Kirst convertors in .38LC.  Gary (Hoof Heart) then made a set of cylinders in .41 Colt for them.  It works by
altering the forcing cone and taking advantage of the fact that inside lubed .41 Colt bullets are really .386", the groove on the 1851s is .375, and lead is soft.   http://www.cartridgeconversion.com/SERVICES.php

He also modified the rammers to accept conicals. 
My 3 Way 1851s (C&B, .38LC, .41Colt) are now probably my most expensive guns.
NRA Life Benefactor, CRPA Life, SASS Life 83712, RO I, Hiram Ranger 48, Coyote Valley Sharpshooters, Coyote Valley Cowboys, SASS TG

Offline Jake MacReedy

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Re: A Different Conversion Cylinder
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2021, 11:08:00 AM »
The conversion cylinder was made by Ray Rapine of Rapine Bullet Mould fame.  I actually purchased a Remington copy from him with the long firing pin on the hammer and with this type of cylinder installed.  Bought from him at Friendship.  It is chambered for a heeled .44 Colt.
Jake

 

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