Civil war revolver?

[DiggerKid2003]

My buddys dad picked this up off the ground in Richmond. I can't tell you if it was found at a specific camp or anything. If anyone knows the year/model it would be a great help. Any input is appreciate

 

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[fyrffytr1]

I think that might be a reproduction piece. FAP pieces are made in Italy. Do a search for FAP revolver and you will find several examples.

https://www.google.com/search?q=FAP...XMHM0KHelDClsQ_AUIDCgA&biw=1920&bih=944&dpr=1

 

[DiggerKid2003]

I think that might be a reproduction piece. FAP pieces are made in Italy. Do a search for FAP revolver and you will find several examples.

https://www.google.com/search?q=FAP...XMHM0KHelDClsQ_AUIDCgA&biw=1920&bih=944&dpr=1

Yeah we figured the odds of it being Civil War were pretty low so what can ya do. Thanks for the response and the ID.

 

[RustyGold]

Whether a repo or not still very cool. Congrats on the unusual find.

 

[A2coins]

Yeah that's a cool find double check to make sure it's not authentic ya never know

 

[firemanphob]

Can't tell for sure from the pictures but is the basic shape of a colt revolver. Serial number would put it sometime in 1861 if it is in fact a colt. I would have it checked by someone who knows for sure.

 

[Billieg]

By the looks of it, it looks like a 1862 Colt. It's real for sure and not some modern fake. Take it to a gun smith and see if you can more info. Nice find!

 

[Jimoutside]

Interesting how the barrel and cylinder are far more rusted than the grip area, such that the serial is in such excellent shape. Were the barrel and cylinder closer to the surface?

Also, what does it say in the little diamond by the serial number? Can't read it.

 

[l.cutler]

Yes, FAP is the mark for Pietta, one of the most prolific modern Italian revolver makers.

 

[Jimoutside]

Yes, FAP is the mark for Pietta, one of the most prolific modern Italian revolver makers.

Yes, I see it now. I believe you're right. Still a really neat find!

 

[Simon1]

I have trouble matching it to a Colt, looking at the hammer and then area over the cylinder and how the surface is high and then slopes down. This seems more common on the Remingtons, but I am no gun expert. That FAP logo does indicate a more modern revolver. Is the barrel round or hexagon ? No matter what, that is a neat piece and how the weather and ground minerals have had different effects on the frame and barrel.

 

[gunsil]

By the looks of it, it looks like a 1862 Colt. It's real for sure and not some modern fake. Take it to a gun smith and see if you can more info. Nice find!

It looks very little like any Colt other than the fact it is a percussion cap revolver. Where do you get your info that it's real? It is as stated a modern reproduction by Pietta. Were it real a gunsmith would not be the person to ask, one would consult an antique arms expert.

 

[gunsil]

Can't tell for sure from the pictures but is the basic shape of a colt revolver. Serial number would put it sometime in 1861 if it is in fact a colt. I would have it checked by someone who knows for sure.

Plenty of people here know for sure, it is obvious as to who does and doesn't in this thread. Colt did not put large serial numbers on the frame like that. How can you say serial number would put it in 1861? For what MODEL Colt?? Models 1849, 1851, and 1860 as well as the Roots were all in existence in 1861 and none of those models had serial numbers that ran concurrently with each other.

 

[gunsil]

Interesting how the barrel and cylinder are far more rusted than the grip area, such that the serial is in such excellent shape. Were the barrel and cylinder closer to the surface?

Also, what does it say in the little diamond by the serial number? Can't read it.

Handle/trigger guard assembly is brass, rest of gun steel, that is why there is such a difference in corrosion, had nothing to do with how it was situated in/on the ground.

 

[firemanphob]

Beg my pardon gunsil, I've worked in gun shops for 30 years, just never dealt with the old black powder revolvers any. I was just telling the guy he should get it checked out because I didn't know but was trying to help because nobody was at that time. I am sure not a self proclaimed expert. The chart in the Dixie gun works catalog said the serial numbers for the colt 1851 started the year 1961 at 98,000 1962 at 118,000.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Looks like a reenactor dropped Pietta copy

 

[DiggerKid2003]

I appreciate all the replies everyone. I myself am gonna have to go with a modern pietta. Im not too suprised or angry about it. Just had to check if there was a chance it was real.

 

[Billieg]

My bad.... I have 3 different civil war type guns and it just reminded me of one of them.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I got to this one a bit late, but this is 100% a Pietta reproduction brass frame 1858 Remington Army. Even if it didn't have the makers mark, the font of the serial number is modern and a dead give away. Also original guns had the serial number under the barrel and under the left side grip scale, not on the bottom of the grip.

What makes this one really interesting though is that it chain fired (multiple loaded chambers fired at once) and blew up in the shooters hand. The bottom chamber fired a ball through the loading lever which is why it's gone, the top strap is gone and the whole frame is cracked. I would be really surprised if the shooter didn't get hurt in the process. At the very least he probably had to change his pants... I had a repro Colt Navy chain fire on me once, luckily the bottom chamber wasn't loaded and the gun stayed in one piece. It was a serious "OH " moment, but at least I only caught a little bit of lead spall from a bullet grazing the barrel wedge and a sore wrist....

All these cracks are from the gun blowing up:


Here's an original 58 Remington serial number, you can see the font difference:


Even though it's not an original period gun it's still a really neat find just because of it having blown up like that.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Usually, when another ID-Helper in this forum contributes correct ID-information, I just give that post a Like. But sometimes, the ID-Helper puts so much effort into contributing a DETAILED educational answer, I've gotta post a reply giving public praise to that ID-Helper. In this case... applause to NOLA_Ken. Also, to Gunsil, and Simon1, for their astute observations in this discussion-thread.