Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L
CAS TOPICS => Gunsmithing => Topic started by: Story on February 25, 2010, 06:01:59 PM
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Since I didn't get any responses in the Barracks, I'll try here : just to be a Devil's Advocate.... who is the best 'smith at conversions?
(http://www.johnnyringo.net/Pictures/LeMatopen91CU.jpg)
from
http://www.johnnyringo.net/lemat.htm
Note the nine shot cylinder - I wonder what caliber it's chambered for, as the Navy Arms .44 would never support so many cartridges (the rims would overlap). An eight shot cylinder, however..
While the Johnny Ringo Lemat is a breakopen design with a cartridge shotgun barrel, the post Civil War cartridge conversions look like they were mostly solid frame.
http://home.hiwaay.net/~stargate/images/Le%20Mat%20revolver.jpg
And pinfires seem to be more prevalent than centerfires, but this pinfires were in vogue then.
I look at this as merely a proof-of-concept.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Lemathammer.jpg)
Last seen in the space opera TV series 'Firefly'/movie 'Serenity'. ;D
http://www.imfdb.org/images/thumb/1/1c/FireflyLmat.jpg/500px-FireflyLmat.jpg
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That top gun looks like it's been sleeved to 38cal and a new cylinder made. Cool conversion.
I'd say that the best in the conversion department is R.L. Millington. Does good,work and...isn't cheap.
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So... how soon do we get to see your plans for the conversion? I know I could do it if I had the time. Got to stay busy doing other thing to pay the bills. I think the top break would be the way to go, otherwise the middle barrel remains a muzzle loader. I hope you can come up with a better idea for the cylinder bolt, maybe a slightly larger pin with a taper. I'm with you on caliber, 38 S&W or 38 Colt. If you make it for 38 special someone might try a +P. While I think it would not come apart it would start to get loose fast.
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You know the shotgun barrel would make a nice spot to put a laser or a light if you can find one small enough. ;)
That's it! The LeMat Tactical Conversion. :D :D :D
Well that's my weird idea for the day.
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Sorry I lost track of this conversation.
I think the top break would be the way to go, otherwise the middle barrel remains a muzzle loader.
A top break would make the revolver a short-barreled shotgun, no? Or would it be like the Taurus Judge .410/.45LC?
I'd think an eight shot cylinder in .450 Short Colt would have sufficient wall thickness - no more pressure there than .44 C&B, right?
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Hey John,
First off thanks for the LeMat! It is in the process of being converted into a Carbine and should be done in the next couple of months.
I agree with you about making money to pay the bills. The Johnny Ringo gun could be done but the retail price would be prohibitive and I think there could be some legal issues with the shotgun ( no mater how many times I read the Regulations I still don't understand them). ???
I have three LeMats in to be converted right now. They are going to be converted on the Cooper system i.e a cylinder cap with 9 firing pins in .38 S&W with the shotgun barrel staying percussion. Price is $800 for the converter and barrel lining (still prohibitive for many).
I will post updates as I progress.
Raven
Here is a photo of an original carbine that I am using as the basis of my recreation.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt155/ravenroost/LeMat2.jpg)
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Hey, that looks neat. Not worried about a chain fire with a cartridge gun but there will be some powder flash coming out of the cylinder gap.
I still haven't done my Colt and Remington conversion. I did get to repair an original 49 Colt pocket pistol last week, it had a 3 digit S/N.
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I'm going to make a shoulder length welding glove! ;D
Check the STORM forum page for a couple of 1st Model Richards I just finished.
The 49 would be cool to work on!
I am in the middle of building the top half of a 2nd Model Paterson Ring Lever rifle flask for a collector that has only the bottom half.
It must look like it is original to the bottom half - patina, dents and all! It will be heavily marked on the inside with my cartouches. I do forgery quality work but it all gets signed!!! ;D
Jay
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It may not look exactly like the original but it do work. Just soldered the new star in. made it very easy to time, just heat it up and turn the star.
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l132/johnptaylor/Colt1849cylinderrepair.jpg)
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l132/johnptaylor/Colt1849cylinderrepair1.jpg)
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Nice job John!
Jay
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Your idea of converting the LaMat to a rifle has inspired me. I got this 45-70 pistol that went through a fire and the back strap was destroyed. Might just make it into a rifle, got a new take off 45-70 barrel for an 86, just need to fill a dovetail on the bottom and thread it to the frame. Picture has a 58 Remmy for comparison of size.
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l132/johnptaylor/centuryarms.jpg)
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John,
Neat revolver! It would look nice with an octagonal barrel. and with such a large frame the wrist will be proportional.
If you have ever seen an 1851 Belgian Brevete Colt rifle the wrists always look too thin!
Jay
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grr... this thread was hiding from me!
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Why Story, My Dear Sir , I have seen you over on Brass Goggles, haven't I?
yhs
prof marvel
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I knew there had to be some Steampunks lurking around the Cas forums ;D
Raven
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I knew there had to be some Steampunks lurking around the Cas forums ;D
Raven
Comes with the territory I reckon. ;)
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Firstly I did Rondyvooz.
Then I found CAS
always interested real steam power.
then I fell in love with Victorian paraphernalia
Steampunk is such a logical extension of 1880; I'm interested in it for "the look", altho their are quite a number of real "steam power" affecianados out there. I gave up on personal steam engines when I was educated on their ways by a steam certified fellow at a museum ... those boilers are scary....
However, somehow a steampunked computer looks so much better than a "cowboyed" computer LOL
http://dominicholden.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/stupid_computer.jpg
http://forums.techguy.org/attachments/161313d1260569459/steampunk-computer-.jpg
we now take you back to your Lemat Conversion thread ....
yhs
prof marvel
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Professor Marvel, That's some fancy stuff you got there, I like it. ;D
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Professor Marvel, That's some fancy stuff you got there, I like it. ;D
Ah my dear Monsieur Taylor -
the other stuff is "just prettified", and other fellow's work. for the most part folks manufacture and fit brass and wood frameworks over existing technology in order to give it a Victorian flavor.
I admire your barrelmaking manufactory and conversions far far more :-)
yhs
prof marvel
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Professor Marvel, we meet again...
However, somehow a steampunked computer looks so much better than a "cowboyed" computer LOL
What a Cowboyed Computer might look like -> http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/gateway2.jpg
I made my 1860 Colt conversion setup for .450 Adams
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.450_Adams
.450 Adams/Webley/Short Colt < 12,700 psi
.45 (Long) Colt - 14,000 psi
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Professor Marvel, we meet again...
I made my 1860 Colt conversion setup for .450 Adams
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.450_Adams
.450 Adams/Webley/Short Colt < 12,700 psi
.45 (Long) Colt - 14,000 psi
AH My Dear Story -
What an excellent choice!
5 shot cylinder or 6 shot? did you do the cylinder work yourself or have it done? Have you any pics of the cylinder?
I fear that, due to life and the real world intervening, nearly all of my projects are on hold with the exception of putzing* with cheap hats; thus I am currently enjoying other's projects vicariously :-)
yhs
prof marvel
* putzing (v) ; archaic; to be wasting otherwise useful effort on an endevour of dubious value
origin: from Pennsylvania Deutsch , New Yark Germanglish, or ancient Brooklyn Yiddlish
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AH My Dear Story -
What an excellent choice!
5 shot cylinder or 6 shot? did you do the cylinder work yourself or have it done? Have you any pics of the cylinder?
What is Man, without Dremel?
It's a simple five-shot Kirst on a Pietta but the loading gate is sculpted so that only .450 Adams can be slipped in. Hits a little high at 10 paces.
It's also work in progress, bird's head gripframe (that needs to be numbered to the rest of the piece), with the original 5 1/2" barrel now with a donor to be 3 1/2". I'm thinking cased (or better yet, 'booked') when all is said and done.
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My name is Frank Bird. I live in Hemet CA & I specialize in Antique Gunsmithing, mostly odd ball conversions. I just finished a LeMat conversion & as it turns out, the only caliber that is practical is .32 S&W long, short, .32 ACP & .32 Colt. OR SMALLER CALIBERS. I suppose, if someone wanted one in .22 Long Rifle, I could do that as well. But since the bolt stops on the cylinder are in the rear, any caliber larger than .32 will make the bolt stops go away. In other words, it will cut into them. Like Millington, I am not cheap but I am quick. It would cost $1500 to convert a LeMat & I should mention, I am one of the only guys in the country that will convert Patersons & Starrs. I have, as it turns out, a Pietta LeMat for sale that I just converted to .32 S&W. I left the shotgun barrel a muzzleloader to comply with Federal regulations. I thought I had it sold last week on Guns International, but the guy from Texas never sent the check. So it is for sale again for $2500. Enclosed I will send a picture of that & some of my recently converted Patersons. Call me or email me at any time with questions (I prefer phone calls since I hate to type). Frank Bird (951) 658-9386. Pictures upon request.
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I always wonder how someone even finds a long dead six year old thread.
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I always wonder how someone even finds a long dead six year old thread.
Ahhh My Dear Pettifogger -
with sufficient google-fu almost anything is possible!
yhs
prof ( google black belt, 3rd dan ) marvel
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I have always loved revolving carbines. I kind of think the LeMat carbine is probably the ultimate in those. I seem to recall a movie with George Hamilton, where he was a confederate officer and he had one. Had to have been an original. Wish I could remember the movie. Anyway, Raven, real cool stuff.
My good Professor, I too love the Steampunk. Between the novels of Verne, Haggard, Wells and Doyle, and their respective movies, I was Steampunk before the word was coined. Currently I have a brass framed percussion revolver with a 12 inch barrel. It is in the process of becoming a Steampunk carbine with a copper pipe stock. Will post pics when complete. It has had several modifications as I wanted it to be a folding stock, but could not get a small strong hinge.
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Currently I have a brass framed percussion revolver with a 12 inch barrel. It is in the process of becoming a Steampunk carbine with a copper pipe stock. Will post pics when complete. It has had several modifications as I wanted it to be a folding stock, but could not get a small strong hinge.
Ah My Good Mogorilla -
since I have a hotwater baseboard heat boiler , does thatcount as "steamy" ?
you might consider using a bolt to the bottom of the grip and pivotting around it as in this Stevens Huters Pal
(http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/2994232231/11248512/1204o1.JPG)
yhs
prof
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Ah yes Perfesseur,
Quite correct. If one embarks on an errand of Necromancy and has perused "The Necromancers Micheline Guide," simply by adding an ample amount of Google Powder almost any old DEAD HORSE can be reanimated. Scary idnit.
Coffinmaker
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Now to get a hold of the one from "Westworld"