Were these sorts of guns, ones with a cut down barrel, actually usedbin the 19th Century to any real extent, or are they a modern anachronism? It seems like most such conversions would mean removing the loading lever. What is the loading procedure like if that is done, is the cylinder removed for loading in a stand, or does one simply use a dowel and the ever handy mallet? Assuming a gunsmith cuts and recrowns the barrel, are they still capable of decent accuracy?

I have been thinking about buying a Pietta and having it cut, probably an 1851 or 1860 pattern revolver. I know Qball and others have such guns, so thought I would ask. I know Pietta sells newly made ones, but I think it comes out cheaper to get an existing one cut down.

I've seen pictures of an 1860 Colt cut down this way that reportedly belonged to Porter Rockwell. A true "belly gun" - it didn't look like there was much barrel left forward of the forcing cone, so essentially a smoothbore.

I'm betting he used a "Salt Lake City reload", but initial loading could be done the way the Pattersons were, using the center pin as a rammer.

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Hi GatorFarmer:

Are you referring to the "Avenging Angel" type of handgun:

COLT 1860 ARMY - "Avenging Angel" -

Regards,

Dave

One can use a factory loading lever as a loading accessory that is not carried on the revolver. On an 1860, one can grind down a couple of the nubs (ratchet teeth) on the loading lever. Just slide the lever into position in (and out of the barrel assembly) and it will load the revolver as usual.

Yes and no. Yes in that the Avenging Angel style is certainly a snub nose. However, in taking a tape measure to my 3rd Generation 1860 and doing some guestimating I arrived at 3 to 4 inches of barrel as a seemingly more practical length. This would be substantially more than the shortest belly gun cuts but less than half the original barrel length.

I do have a 5.5" Remington clone that seems "short" compared to the full size guns, and does mantain a loading lever. My thought was a "snub" that bridged the gap between an extreme cut down like shown and the 5.5" Remington. Which should leave room for a new front sight or shotgun bead to be installed.

I can't say much as to how one would go about loading a C&B pistol, seeing as I put a cartridge cylinder in mine.

On the subject of historical accuracy I seem to recall finding pictures of originals in a couple of books (likely by Dennis Adler, if I had to guess) though I don't believe there was any supporting data as to how widespread their use actually was.

I'm still working out some kinks in this one. Needless to say, I expect smoke and fire when I'm done.

I Cut the barrel on my 1860 to just under 3" and there is no need to grind
anything of the loading lever.



It slides in just fine

I thought that was a folding bayonet for a second there! I've actually seen lots of pictures on old cut down percussion Colts. The Colt Model 1849 didn't have a loading lever, so that handicap isn't always an issue for a hide out belly gun.

That's exactly what I thought!

Very cool revolver. With the loading lever de-tatched, it looks to me like it would have perfect balance.

an interesting thread thanks for having it.

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I would love to see a video of one being shot! Very cool.

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Big fan of C&B snubbies, have been shooting them for a couple of years now. Have two in .44 and one in .36. Slow to load, but worth the wait. People at the range go nuts when they see them in action.

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Ol' Pugsley:

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Sorry, i missed that one

I can't se any worse accuracy than before the cut
The 1860 (my 1860) have a habit of eating the remains of the caps
and locking the action, so i have to remove the barrel and cylinder to clear it.
The poa differs after each time i do it.

Remember with a Colt type c&b, to cock the revolver while pointed skyward to allow the cap to fall out and away from the action.

There is a more sinister way to deal with it

http://www.theopenrange.net/articles...p_and_ball.pdf

No i haven't done it, yet

Wyatt Burp: I must politely disagree I have found a picture of an original Colt Model 1849 pocket revolver and it does have a loading lever

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Think he meant the 1848 Baby Dragoon

NRA Museums:

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Has anyone done any chronographing of these pistols? I know velocity
can vary significantly depending on powder quality (i.e., Swiss vs. Elephant), etc., but any info on how much velocity was lost or how much one can obtain when chopping the barrels would be very interesting!!

John

One a picked up a few years ago. Too good to shoot unfortunately. This is a custom engraved by now retired Australian engraver Phil Vinnicombe. The gun is marked 'Pequito'

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That is nice Gun Mad. The mermaids, and fish scales on the hammer are something else. He had fun engraving that one I bet.

I think that it say "PEQUE*O" ?

But really COOL any way

The 1849 could be had with or without the rammer. Some people call the one without the rammer the "Wells Fargo Model". I've got a repro Wells Fargo Model with a 3.5" barrel.

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That is the nicest cap and ball snubbie I've ever seen. Whoever made it must have had to cut the mainspring down for that little tiny grip. So nice.