OFFICIAL 1861 thread (post pictures here)

[Major 2]

I have edited the posts where photo bucket has deleted your photo(s)
and shamelessly posted their flag to advertise...
It's bad enough PB over casts the photos that they have charged you for...

 PB can't delete your photo(s) and expect free ride on my watch!

[Abilene]

My pair of 1861 RM Conversions in .38 Long Colt cal.
They are my main match pistols since 2018.
The one with the silverish grip frame is a 2nd gen Colt, the other a 4-screw frame Uberti.
Long Johns Wolf

Long Johns, who made those conversions?  I assume they had to shave the bottom of the barrel?

[Coffinmaker]

  Sorta Confused Maybe 

It's entirely true, Neither Colt, nor ASM, nor Uberti ever built an 1861 Richards - Mason conversion.  Just didn't happen.  However:

Based on previous, it may well be Pappy is actually looking for an 1861 Richards Conversion.  Now it gets a mite "gray."  Colt never built 1861 Richards Conversions.  Uberti never built 1861 Richards Conversions.  Armi San Marco did.  Sorta.  Almost, Real Close.  What ASM called their "1860" wasn't.  If you look close, no stepped cylinder.  The ONLY thing distinguishing the gun as an 1860 are the 1860 Army Pattern Grips.  Straight unstepped frame. unstepped cylinder, and an 1860 pattern barrel assembly.  Pull the 1860 Army Grips, swap in a set of 1851 Grips and you have an 1861.  Or, at least as close as you're ever going to get in this day and age.

Just my take.

[Advertising]

[Coffinmaker]

I posted an update to this subject up in the Classifieds.

OOPS

[Coffinmaker]

I posted an UPDATE to the UPDATE on the Classifieds thread.

[middletownbob]

i believe in the movie Josey Wales, the beginning where Josey picks up pistol put of the ashes, its a 1861 conversion!

[Pappy Hayes]

Thinking about buying a 1861 Navy colt. I am thinking about buying kirst conversion cylinder and ejector in 38 special. Which brand would you go with, Uberti or Pietta.

[Coffinmaker]

  PAPPY 

Hands down, No Questions Asked.  "PIETTA"   There are far fewer problems in setting up a Pietta than Uberti.  You don't have the atrocious Barrel to Arbor fit problem, Pietta has a redesigned Hand Spring that is basically bullet proof.  Pietta now has a new and improved lighter Main Spring (I think in Percussion also).  Did I mention I'd recommend Pietta??  Yes.  Pietta   

PART TWO:  Instead of fighting with all sort of "period correct" (I hate that term) healed bullets and little short cartridges, just shoot regular 38 Special cases with 148Gr Hollow Base Wadcutters.  I shoot Hollow Base Wadcutters thru my .375 Bore conversions with fine accuracy   

[Pappy Hayes]

Problem with Pietta it has 8 in barrel. The original 1861 navies were 7 1/2

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The Ubertis are closer to originals and some say better finished out. The short arbor is easily addressed. It seems that might be the better choice. You can order Wolff reduced tension main springs and better (won't break) Wolf reduced power trigger/bolt springs from Midway.

[Coffinmaker]

  REALLY?? 

The big Bugg-a-Boo is over a half inch of barrel??  One can't even "see" that difference at 6 feet.  Trade off correct Barrel to Arbor fit, Better Hand Spring, Better Main Spring for half inch of barrel just seems silly.  Pietta may need to have the Bolt fit to Cylinder though.

[Major 2]

Well, I happen to know the EMF Pietta 61 Hartford had a 7 1/2" barrel because I still have the 4 7/16 " off cut from this snubby 3"...
Then I also sleeved ,357 the 51-barrel shown with here.

Gary Barns fitted the Kirst and 51 barrel and did the internals, defarbed and nitrate blued the parts...

[Abilene]

I notice the Pietta 4-screw version 1861 is on sale at EMF for  $284.75

[pony express]

REALLY?? 

The big Bugg-a-Boo is over a half inch of barrel??  One can't even "see" that difference at 6 feet.  Trade off correct Barrel to Arbor fit, Better Hand Spring, Better Main Spring for half inch of barrel just seems silly.  Pietta may need to have the Bolt fit to Cylinder though.

Definitely not a big deal for Coffinmaker, the Hacksaw King. You'd probably cut off 3 or 4 inches, anyway.

[Coffinmaker]

  BINGO!! 

[Coffinmaker]

  Additionally 

If we take a peek.  It will become obvious over the last several years the Importers and the manufacturers have been steadily reducing the number of model varations offered as well as the number of models.  The reduction in demand has brought about this result.  Sad, but unavoidable.

An Idea just sparked!! (Oh the Pain)  Stay Tuna

[Coffinmaker]

  PAPPY HAYES 

AWRIGHTY Pappy.  Here's a thought for ya.  EMF - PIETTA - 1862 NYMP .36.  If memory serves, that gun is built on the 1851 Navy frame.  Has the correct 1860 pattern barrel in 36 and "should" accept the Kirst .38 Konverter and Ejector assembly.  Without the fluted 1862 cylinder, it's a dead ringer for an 1861. The only Oopsie is the barrel.  It's only Five and a Half inches.  Still about Two Inches too long for me, but HEY --  It's shorter than an 8.  Nickel Grip Frames to boot.  Hummmmmmmmm

I shouldn't have gone looking.  Daggie Nabbits, now I'm thinking about another pair of Conversions.  Actually, 5 1/2 inch barrels "could" be fun . . . . . .  Piggy Bank.  Must find my Piggy Bank > > > > >

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I shouldn't have gone looking.  Daggie Nabbits, now I'm thinking about another pair of Conversions.  Actually, 5 1/2 inch barrels "could" be fun . . . . . .  Piggy Bank.  Must find my Piggy Bank > > > > >

Why not? You could always cut them down...

[Major 2]

Or buy mine    complete as shown.
* 2 lined barrels for .357-38 special 3" and 7.5
* Gated Kirst
*and the Holster

[Pappy Hayes]

Or buy mine    complete as shown.
* 2 lined barrels for .357-38 special 3" and 7.5
* Gated Kirst
*and the Holster

If I remember the 7.5 barrel was a 1851 . I want the 1860 army style