Belly guns

[Geraldo]

As I looked at the pics in various threads of work some of you have done on cut down cap and ball revolvers I thought we need a thread on them. So for those of us who have yet to take a hacksaw :shock: to one, please post pics and any info on how you did it.

I was looking on a parts site last night for a barrel assembly, but it seems that the cost of parts to do a cut barrel is such that I should just look for a cheap, uesd pistol instead.

[wellfedirishman]

Geraldo, it is cheaper to post a WTB for a used beater cap and ball gun and use it for parts than to buy a new barrel to cut down.

I picked up two used beater guns for about $50 each, and hacked them (pics posted in a thread about a month ago).

Good luck and have fun!

[StrawHat]

I have done more than a couple of "Avenging Angels". Rather than buy a barrel just buy another revolver, usually cheaper in the long run.

This is my 1860

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc194/StrawHat/1860Snubbieyetagain003.jpg

It started life with an 8" barrel and I cut it back to the lug with a hacksaw, crowned it with a glass ball and dovetailed the front sight in place. The sight has since been filed to adjust it to hit at 25 yards.

Several more of my snubbies are here.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc194/StrawHat/IMGP1450.jpg

And an 1851

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc194/StrawHat/Colt%20clones/1851Snubbie001.jpg

All of them have been fun to shoot and get used to but the Walker is never going to be a fast draw revolver or even a concealed carry gun!

[Geraldo]

I like those snubbies, Strawhat, especially the 1860. Very nice work! I've never heard of crowning with a glass ball, can you tell me more?

[StrawHat]

I like those snubbies, Strawhat, especially the 1860. Very nice work! I've never heard of crowning with a glass ball, can you tell me more?


I have glass ball about the size of a billiard ball that I use with a sheet of wet or dry paper. I start with 200 grit and work the crown until I am satisfied then move on to finer grit. I usually end with 800 or 1000 grit but that fine is not really needed. Just a simple twisting motion is all I use. Similar to using the brass screw head, but different!

[willyboy]

mine...
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/hut-man/Pistolas.jpg

[Geraldo]

Nice revolvers you've got there, willyboy. Tell me about the one on the left. Did you adapt a bird's head frame, or cut and weld?

[coopieclan]

Nice revolvers you've got there, willyboy. Tell me about the one on the left. Did you adapt a bird's head frame, or cut and weld?

I agree ...the fluted cylinders are a nice touch too.

[mazo kid]

Here is one I did a couple of years ago. I used a rough kit gun and cut it down, polished parts and rust blued it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/mazokid/51Navy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/mazokid/51Navy2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/mazokid/Birdheadgrip.jpg

Here is an original belly gun that was probably made by a blacksmith.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/mazokid/bellygun58colt.jpg