Navy Arms Gregorelli and Uberti 1851

[Michael J. Spangler]

Hi guys and gals,

Last week I picked up a new toy. This is my second percussion revolver but the first one I actually purchased and planned to shoot. The past few months I got the percussion revolver bug and a local had one of these for sale.
Well the first night with it wasn't all I wanted it to be.
The 375 round balls weren't all too tight so they didn't shave lead ring and therefore needed bore butter, which made a little bit of a mess but not bad.
All of my percussion accessories are at a buddies house (he borrowed my TC renegade to play with) So I had to cap by hand which proved a bit hard considering how mashed the nipples were from repeated dry firing before I owned it (didn't think to check this)
That topped off with a high as can be wedge and having to scoop with a lee dipper (no measure or flask on me) made it less than fun.
I'm guessing that I will have more fun with it now considering it has new(ish) nipples and I plan on casting some .380 round balls tomorrow which should solve the issues.

It's my understanding that the GU guns are somewhat collectible due to their age and low production numbers. However this one has had a fancy new sight added to the front :???:

So I'm wondering if I should put some time into this old girl or trade her/sell her off and get a nice new repro?

Thanks for the info!
Mike

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll105/MJSpangler/Casting/88CE1A95-DDDB-4CAA-9732-CF47E3AA9CBE_zpsl43tursq.jpg (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/MJSpangler/media/Casting/88CE1A95-DDDB-4CAA-9732-CF47E3AA9CBE_zpsl43tursq.jpg.html)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll105/MJSpangler/Casting/4724DB45-F521-4992-A07A-9B6688C03CA2_zps1whndghl.jpg (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/MJSpangler/media/Casting/4724DB45-F521-4992-A07A-9B6688C03CA2_zps1whndghl.jpg.html)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll105/MJSpangler/Casting/5491AE16-590E-44EC-9D33-E03AAB743E2C_zpskar8ffpo.jpg (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/MJSpangler/media/Casting/5491AE16-590E-44EC-9D33-E03AAB743E2C_zpskar8ffpo.jpg.html)

[Good Cheer]

That's a seriously nice looking sight. And the revolver is nice too!

For new nipples try the Possible Shop. Probably might as well call them and talk about the manufacturer.

[Michael J. Spangler]

Do you think they will have info on a replacement cylinder? this one is pretty banged up, it's hard to see in the pictures. Lots of dry firing mashed the hammer and nipples... the hammer then being wider and mushroomed would smack into the read of the cylinder.
Thanks!

[pill bug]

Michael, these early guns have an odd, flat hammer nose. could that be what you are seeing?

[Michael J. Spangler]

No I believe it's from lots of dry firing. The hammer is definitely mushroomed a bit.
I'll try to get some better pics up

[pill bug]

ok, looked at my guns. The square hammer nose does get very close to the sides of the nipple slot, even on an unfired gun. also have a much fired gun that looks like the original owner beveled the sides of the hammer nose to keep it off the sides of the of the nipple slots.

[Michael J. Spangler]

So I picked up a Pietta 1851 in 36 this weekend.
I can compare the two side by side. I'm hoping I can get away with a Pietta cylinder in the old Navy arms. They're half the price of a Uberti cylinder.

Now I need to make some paper cartridges!