Who's the BP Expert?

[redlevel]

There are a couple of black powder revolvers among the guns I am selling. They were both imported by Replica Arms, Inc, Marietta, Ohio. Under that address is stamped Made in Italy.

I thought they were probably junk, but some research has led me to believe that they might be a little better than that.

Anyhow, one is a replica of a Colt Dragoon, a big ol' "Mattie Ross horse pistol." The other is a replica of an 1860 Colt Army. I think I have identified them correctly. I understand that the smaller revolver is particularly popular with Civil War re-enactors.

I really don't believe either has been shot. The 1860 gun has a very nice presentation case with accoutrements. I understand that Navy arms bought out this company in around 1973 or 74.

Does anyone know anything about these guns?

 

[DeathGrip]

Did you hold that "Mattie Ross horse pistol" at arms length for a second or two?Dang those things get muzzle heavy pretty quick.

I recall the importer from back then but can't recall much more.There were a whole lot of importers back then and most seemed to come from Italy.I wonder if the same manufacturers made some for several importers with different stamps on 'em.

Anyhow,Pretty cool stuff.

 

[44 Shooter]

"X" is a has ben, "spert" is a drip under pressure. Nice pistole!

 

[Wyatt Burp]

That Walker replica is kind of interesting. It has an unusual front sight that is probably better than the usual kind. And the trigger guard looks very sharp edged, polished, but kind of primative. The stocks are nice and their isn't any proofmarks cluttering up the right side which is great. I've never noticed on other Walker replicas, or pics of originals, that the only screw in the frame is the hammer screw.
I like your 1860, too. It looks good with the blued backstrap. and with the case and accesories it's a nice outfit.

 

[McShooty]

Not sure what you would like to know. They are vintage replicas and probably worth about as much as new replicas of the same would cost today, in my opinion. The 1860 Army was a .44-caliber arm and was the most common sidearm of the Union forces in the civil war. Seems it was well regarded by those who used it, very effective against the enemy. The large pistol actually seems to be a replica of a Walker Colt, also .44-caliber, 1847, which preceded the dragoons. Sam Walker personally went to Sam Colt and got him to produce 1,000 or so of these huge colts for use by his unit in the Mexican-American war. He was killed, I believe, before the Walker Colts could be put into use by his men. I expect you know that original Walker Colts are just about the most valuable collector Colts in existence, going for tens of thousands, if not 100 thousand or more, apiece.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes, that is a Walker Colt replica.

Both are quality black powder replicas.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Well Red- here's what I need to know to tell you some more....

Tell me about, or give us a picture of any other markings on the frame or barrel of the pieces. Most notably proofmarks, or perhaps some Roman numerals or letters in a square (those will tell us the year of manufacture) and the proofs may show us the exact manufacturer of the piece in Italy. Sometimes some markings are up under the loading lever- cleverly hidden so as not to muck up the looks of the revolver.

I've got a couple of charts I've printed out of the years of manufacture and a list of a good number of replica makers proofmarks in my notes.

 

[David LaPell]

I can tell you that what you need to do is clean them, it appears that there is some rust starting to build up on the Walker, and that is on the outside, not sure what the inside is like. I believe these were early Italian replicas before Pietta really got in the game. a new Walker from Uberti averages about $350, so used I would imagine that yours in mint condition would go for about $250, if the rust has started to take hold, its a $150 gun, tops. People are not exactly knocking down doors to get them either. If the action works and it is not too bad, you have a nice shooter, and believe me, they can shoot. THey hold 60 grains but thats a handful in that gun, I used 35 and it was just right. The 1860, a new Pietta runs about $240, sometimes as low as $200 like the one in Dixie Gun Works site. Used, $125-$150.

 

[Bat Guano]

Early 70s sounds about right. They were about equivalent to Navy Arms' products; serviceable if not fancy. Most of those guns weren't shot all that much once the novelty wore off, and the internals were somewhat on the soft side. When Colt came out with the 2nd Gen guns the bar got raised some-although mine eventually wore the hammer notch down too.