FOUND!...1851 Colt Open Top (Clone)

[rbertalotto]

Ok, big deal...I found a Armi San Marco 1851 Open Top in 38 Special.....Here is why it is a Big Deal.
If you live here in the horrible state of Massachusetts, we have a law that you can't buy any handgun (ANY!!!) that was not in the state of Massachusetts before 1998 (and you have to have proof) or it must pass a very involved test to assure it is safe to sell in Massachusetts if built after 1998. So just about any SAA revolver except Rugers (and only certain models) are available for sale as new firearms here in Massachusetts. Colt, Uberti, Pieta and all the rest have not gone through the nearly $10,000 per revolver required to get their SAA revolvers certified.


I wanted a pair of open top 38 special revolvers for years. At a gun show here in MA a few years ago I found one. 1851 Armi San Marco in 38 special. The price was $400 and I didn't think a second and bought it. The odds of finding even ONE pre 1998 open top 1851 is remarkable!


http://images15.fotki.com/v588/photos/2/36012/11158922/DSC_6280-vi.jpg




The chance of finding this pre 1998 revolver here in Massachusetts was a miracle!


A few days ago while sitting at the airport waiting to get on a plane for Australia I was scanning the local want ads and I found another "Mass Complaint" 1851 Armi San Marco for $400 . I contacted the seller and explained my situation. He said he would hold it until I got back. Nice guy!


Once I returned home I contacted him and made the deal.


http://images46.fotki.com/v1612/photos/2/36012/11158922/DSC_6282-vi.jpg




So now I have a pair!


http://images51.fotki.com/v628/photos/2/36012/11158922/DSC_6286-vi.jpg






I also ordered a nice set of holsters from Western and Wildlife Wonders


http://westernandwildlifewonders.com/shop/catalog/images/FAMeaneaMoneyBelt.JPG


Now I just need to resolve the grip issue. If they were two piece grips I could just swap them around and have checkered on the outside and smooth on the inside of both guns.


Or I'll just get the smooth grips checkered to match........


I need to go buy a lottery ticket............How rare are two Armi San Marco revolvers here in Massachusetts and both Mass Compliant!

[DougGuy]

It's always good to read that someone has done some good somehow in the light of such draconian gun laws. Nice looking pair of pistols!

[bedbugbilly]

Congrats! Very nice and a beautiful "pair"!

Let's see . . . Massachussetts . . . . Boston . . . Boston Tea Party . . . . in doing my genealogy I discovered that I had an ancestor at Concord . . . I have to believe he is spinning in his grave at how things have turned out in a colony, now a state, where the seeds of freedom were sown.

Enjoy those beautiful pistols . . . they sure are nice looking!

[doc1876]

I am even more confused than bbb here. Other than that you did do good, the '51/"72 opentop is one if my favs, I just haven't had the good fortune to do anything about it. I think the smooth grips are almost too pretty to checker. I know of a gripmaker that makes some real good looking "ivory" for around 75-85 a set. you can get anything you want carved or scrimed on them. You also can get wood or stag. I have a pair of his on my Ruger Bisley, and am very happy with them.
Sid Ryan is his name http://www.sidryan2.com/
I like your choice in leather, the looped mexican rig is a good choice for them.