H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

Just for giggles. I looked up the serial number on Colt's website, and this came back... 106461 1860 ARMY (.44 CALIBER WITH NAVAL ENGAGEMENT SCENE ON CYLINDER) 1863 So that would lend credence to the notion that it's an original with a modern conversion. I'd say it's a unique piece, and worth having. You say the cylinder is .38 Special, that also tends to support a "modern" conversion. If it were factory, it'd likely be .38 Long Colt. and the Italian proofmarks on the cylinder prove that it's not the original cylinder Get a letter. Some of these conversions are quite fascinating. I have an 1860 that was converted to something else at one point, and has been converted AGAIN to .32 S&W with a new barrel, but Colt has no records of the conversion(s). This gun might be okay for use with smokeless since the cylinder is modern, but I'd still stick with .38 Long Colt/black powder to be safe.

What can I say? I find it amusing to talk about highly speculative ideas. Even if nothing comes of them, they can be entertaining.

Well, I got out my cartridge measuring caliper thingee and started doing some measurements. While there might be enough room to make the chambers bigger, the rim is a bit too large to fit. So in other words, it wouldn't work. I suppose the other option of just lengthening the chambers for the .45 BPM would be a proven course of action, but I doubt I will do so. This really was just a bizarre notion from the get go!

Yeah, that's .460 BPM. (Black Powder Magnum) I wondering about other esoteric "possibilities."

Here's an odd qeustion. If you have a .45 Colt conversion cylinder for a reproduction Walker and you were to ream the cylinders to fit, and enlarge the bore to .458", could said pistol handle .45-60? There looks to be enough room for everything to "fit." I know there is no real reason to DO this, especially considering the existence of .45 BPM, I am just wondering if it's possible.

What is Trail Boss useful for? .32 S&W .32 S&W Long .32-20 7.65 Nagant .38 Short Colt .38 S&W .38 Long Colt. .38 Special .357 Magnum .44 Special .44-40 .44 Magnum .45 ACP .45 S&W .45 Colt 56-60 Spencer .30-30 .30-40 7mm Mauser 8mm Mauser .30-'06 (Bolt Actions. Have not tried it in the Garand) .45-60 .45-70 (Trapdoor safe) I have personally used it in all of these calibers, and I am sure it can be used in many more. It is a very useful caliber. And, it is basically impossible to overcharge with it. A double charge of a minimum charge will overflow the case. And, given it's bright color, it is very easy to see that there is power int he case. Someone mentioned the Kaboom Club. THIS is impossible with Trail Boss... Neither of my friends was hurt using these, thank the Lord. But it more or less did ruin our outing at a big shoot. As near as I can guess, a double charge of Win321 is to blame. That, and my own stupidity. I want Trail Boss Back for these two reasons alone.

It occurs to me that this same side match could be done with a pocket pistol instead of a derringer. It also occurs to me that, with the derringer, a reload is not a good idea. (With the pocket pistol, there is no need.) I did shoot a derringer side match once that had a reload, and I didn't care for it. It's good to get feedback on ideas. That way, if anyone decides to try it, the basic premise is already discussed and perhaps modified to make more sense.

Oh man! I sure hope it's available here in the US soon! I DO so miss this stuff. It's a great powder. I use for everything from .32 S&W to .45-70 and 56-60 Spencer.

That's a good looking .22. Do you run CB Shorts in it? Those are essentially not much more than the primer. Or is it simply retired? I did look a little more into the .32 Centerfire one I found, but it was described as "not locking up tight" so I passed on it. That, I know if it did lock up tight, would be a BP only gun.

Ah, that's, okay, Hoss. In a way, I was referencing something that's probably somewhat obscure to most of us so it's understandable make the mistake. I've got a few top breaks myself, from pockets to full size. But no tip ups. I believe I remember John Carradine used one in Stagecoach, but I'd have to check... Ah yes, according to the Internet Movie Firearms Database it's a Marlin 1875 tip up revolver. Interesting the Marlin when that way after S&W abandoned it in favor of the stronger top break design.

i got one of these... https://www.mustangwoodcrafters.com/ Fantastic cart and I have never regretted the expense.

Does anyone shoot these, just for fun? I know some were in .22 Short, and I just saw one on Gunbroker in .32 Short CF, so some of them are, at least theoretically, capable of being fired, even if they would not be suited for our game. (Or maybe only as pocket pistols?) I believe there was even a .44 tip up, but it was also a rimfire, so that's not really a viable shooter. Personally, I find them to be at the very least, a visually interesting pistol. I tend to doubt that there would be much of a market for a modern replica in a readily available caliber, (.32 &W, 38 S&W or .44 Russian?) but I'd be hard pressed to pass on one if such an animal were begin to exist. (Me and, perhaps a dozen others!) With modern steel and perhaps some tweaks to the design to strengthen it, I am sure that replicas could be made in the aforementioned calibers, but I'll not be hold my breath. Would anyone else be interested in such a gun?

I shall now speak something that may shock a few people. I have nothing but respect for Turnbull and the outstanding work that they do. But, in my opinion, they are overpriced and not worth the expense. There are many excellent gunsmiths out there who can do work that is comparable to theirs, but are far less expensive. IF you decide that you want to have this, or any gun, restored for some reason, I have come to feel that you are better off finding someone closer to where you are who, while pricey, will probably cost you a lot less than going to Turnbull will. I can foresee times when, depending on the gun, restoration might make sense. (By restoration, I mean much more than simple refinishing.) Ultimately, that's up to the owner of the gun in question. And on a slightly different subject, I have never really understood why restoring a gun hurts its value. If you find, say, a 57 Chevy that is very far gone, or even fully functional but ugly, and you restore it, you have enhanced it's value. The same can be said for many other antiques and heirlooms. But if you have a gun returned to like new condition, you have "destroyed it's value." Never have understood that. The only other thing I can think of with this kind of "problem" is old coins. Oh well.

Hee hee hee. It is ugly. Letters to 1885. In spite of its appearance, its action is flawless. A good shooter. And, I oddly like the gold plated parts. In a strange way, it's got character. Got it in 2022 for $500 at LGS. That's something I like about old ugly guns; I can afford 'em! .44-40 btw.

I'd leave this one alone. It's not pretty, but it's aged honestly and is still shootable. The grips are nice too. Also, it is an example of faded from it's original finish. Now, this thing, on the other hand... ...is downright UGLY. It started out as blued with a case hardened frame. The current finish is a very bad dipped in chrome. The grips are broken and worn smooth. Parts of it have even been gold plated for some reason. This one would be a PRIME candidate for a restoration. However, before it was dipped it was over polished to smooth. All of the markings are gone except for the patent dates and serial number. So much so that if you compare it to another pistol, you can see that a lot of metal has been scrubbed off. This one is actually too far gone to restore. I actually took it to a local gunsmith who specializes in antique restorations, and he said he could do it, but he'd have to restore so much metal that it would be prohibitively expensive. And when all is said and done, it works flawlessly and is a good shooter. So, while I may get new grips, that's all I'll do to it. Now, if yours was as is finish wise, but not functional, I'd be more likely to do a restoration. Or, if it was not as bad as this chrome thing, but worse than yours, then yes, I'd consider restoring. I hope this makes sense.

I got to thinking of the opening scene of The Shootist where John Wayne takes out the guy trying to rob him with a derringer with a non fatal, but still incapacitating shot. This got me to imagining a side match for the derringer that is different from typical speed and accuracy ones you typically see. A paper target with an image of bad guy, or even just a sillouette target is set at about 5 feet from the shooter. At the beep, shooter picks up derringer from table and fires 2 shots, one handed, at the target. "Zones" on the target are designated as "Kill" "Disable" and "Flesh Wound" For each kill shot, you get 10 points. For each Disable, you get 5 and for each Flesh Wound you get 3 points. A miss gets 0. Most points wins. Ties broken by timer. I suppose there could be a 4 shot variant if you wanna add a reload. Just a random thought.

With regard to the Marlin pump, there are some very real safety concerns, but they can be addressed to the point where the guns are safe to shoot. I won't rehash all of that, others are far more familiar with the details, I'll leave it to the experts. Suffice to say that if I could find one that passes all the safety checks, I would feel okay about shooting one. (In fact, there is a very late model one for sale locally...) Should they be SASS Legal? I wish I could say yes, but there is so much bad press, it might be "easier" to just allow the ban to stay in place. With regard to other pumps... Winchester 93: It can't handle smokeless powder or shells longer than 2-1/2" safely. Just like a vintage 87. Many folks who have one either use short shells, or lengthen the chamber. In either case, they use black powder, making it perfectly safe. (I have fired mine with no problems) The same procedure(s) could be used to make 93's safe to use. Should they be SASS Legal? Yes. Burgess: I have never read of any safety issues with this gun. Should be be SASS Legal? Yes. Again, mine has been fired with no problems. Spencer: Well, I am pretty sure that they all have Damascus barrels, which brings up THAT whole debate, but I've heard of no other issues. Should they be SASS Legal? Well.... I dunno. Are Damascus barrel shotguns outlawed in general? If not, then legal. If yes, then not legal. IF legalized, it is up to the shooter to make sure the are safe to use. Just like ALL firearms in our game. IAC 93/97. A modern made 97 made to resemble a 93. Not legal only because it's "not a 97." It should be legal. If you allow these 4 models to be used, it also creates the possibility of modern makers making a new exposed hammer pump gun for use in our game. It would also open the door to someone like Uberti or Chiappa considering a replica of these interesting old designs, addressing any lingering safety concerns along the way. Lifting the no 20 gauge pump restriction would allow the creation of 97's in 20 gauge if they perceive a demand. None if it is likely to happen, but the possibilities are there. These are just my opinions. I am not asking for any rule changes, just stating what I think about the existing rules.

A good quality gun cart is one of the best things you'll ever buy. Some of them can be quite expensive, but they are worth it. You don't wanna be carting around thousands of dollars worth of guns in a cheap cart that will batter them to death. (I exaggerate a little, but not much.) By the same token, a good, if expensive gun cart will last you a lifetime, a cheap but serviceable one will do well for a few years, and then fall apart. Costuming can be very simple. A pair of jeans, and a long sleeve shirt are all you need. The shirt should have at least a vaguely "western" look/feel to it, but that is very open to interpretation. Technically, a hat is not required, outside of specific costume categories that require one. That said, I strongly recommend one to shield you head from fall brass. Reproduction US Cavalry Kepi hats are kinda cool, and are in some ways the old west version of a cowboy hat. You don't have to go with a full uniform. You can always claim to be a veteran who like to wear his old hat. Prices are from dirt cheap to expensively accurate replicas. But, if you go with one of those, I strongly recommend a bandanna tied around your neck to prevent spent brass falling down the back of your shirt! On the other hand, a generic Stetson never hurts, and depending on the one you get, can be surprisingly inexpensive. As far as footwear goes, you don't have to wear traditional "Cowboy Boots" if you don't want to, again excepting a specific category that requires them. Lace up boots are fine, and often more comfortable, for example. You can always add more accessories, more variation, and other shirt, pants, and hats over time if you desire. Holsters... Go to Cabela's. You can get a pair of generic old west holsters that'll carry all of the most popular guns for, well, when I got them they were 10 bucks each. Might be around 25 today. If you ever do decide to get more fancy holsters, gunbelt and such, these can be held as backups or for loaners to a friend you bring along. Technically, you don't need a gunbelt, you can run your regular belt that holds up your pants through the loops on the generic things. Works well. (As long as you can properly tighten your belt!) Interestingly enough, while I do have other holsters, and a couple of nice belts, I still use these generic holsters unless I'm using an unusual gun that does not fit in them. I do always put the holsters on a gun belt. Other gear... Get a nice small pouch to carry your ammo in. Trying to carry ammo in belt loops may look cool, but it's more trouble that it's worth! Other ammo carrying thingees exist, and are not all that expensive. Also, another bucket of something you can keep on your cart for spent brass is a good idea too. Reloading is a must! If you do this more than once a year, having to constantly buy factory ammo is too expensive. Lee dies are usually less expensive than RCBS, and IMO, of superior quality. A simple turret press'll do ya fine for .38/.357. You'll need a tumbler to clean brass, and either a scale or, even better, a powder dispenser that automatically measures out a load of the proper weight every time you empty the pan to dump the powder into the case. One other thing, I recommend you reload shotshells as well. I know a lot of people don't, but I think it just makes sense. A good MEC press will never do you wrong. Been loading AA's for decades with the press I inherited from my Dad that's gotta be at least 70 years old, and so are some of the hulls! Or, if you wanna get fancy, load all brass Magtech hulls, but you'll need a special press for the oversized dies. And go with the much more expensive CH4D ones, not the RCBS ones. You'll be glad you did. A Winchester 73 will never steer you wrong, it's the most popular rifle for a reason. (Although, personally, I prefer the Lightning, but I am weird) Rugers are tanks and many will tell you they will never fail. I can't argue with that; they are exceptionally well made guns. But they don't appeal to me personally. I use real Colts when I can, Colt Clones when I must. To me, it's just more fun. Shotguns are another mixed bag. 97 pump, 87 lever, hammerless or hammered double... Lotsa good choices and prices can range from very affordable to very expensive. Most will tell you short barrels, but there are a small number of pards who like long barrels. I have both short and long myself, but I have come to prefer long ones. The 97 is easy to master, as is the double. The 87 is fun, but has more of a learning curve. What's the best double? Well, people argue about this all the time, and there are a lot of good ones to choose from. But if you can afford it, get yourself a Parker. You'll never regret it, and good shooters CAN still be had for a reasonable cost if you look long enough. (Believe it or not, less than a $1000 is doable. It might be ugly, but it'll still WORK.) With the SxS, I think the long barrel is even more important as the extra weight absorbs more recoil. And that's about all I can recommend

When you go through your paperwork and find things like this, you invariably wish you could find more. Not too long ago, I went through my files and found sales receipts from various gun shops, (some of which are long gone), Massachusetts firearms registration forms, and other miscellaneous "paperwork" for many, but not all of my, my father's, and my late brother's guns. I found myself wishing that we'd been more meticulous about saving such things, but at the time, it just didn't seem important. Anyway, I collected all of that stuff, got factory letters for everything I could, and then created a kind of "record cover sheet" for every gun in the collection, putting all of the collected papers in plastic sleeves in a three ring binder. The collection is now well documented. But it's really cool when I see the original sales receipts or other forms dating back to the 1970's.

Oh. Them. I tend to not do business with them ever since they refused to sell me a rifle on my C&R because I'm from Massachusetts. They even admitted that they knew it was legal, but didn't care.

Just compare the climactic gunfight in True Grit staring John Wayne to the same scene in the remake with, uhm, whoever it was. Not only did he deliver one of the best lines in history of film in the worst way possible, but... He doesn't even have a Winchester.

The following post is for informational/fun purposes only. Recently, I acquired a Uberti replica of the Winchester 76 in .45-60. Unlike the original .45-60 that was slightly bottlenecked, the replica .45-60 is dimensionally identical to the .45-70, just a little shorter. So, I trimmed some .45-70 brass to make some .45-60 brass to use in the gun, no problem. But, as I was loading up the ammo, I discovered that I had somehow trimmed a couple of cases to about the same length as a .45 Colt Cartridge. Just out out curiosity, I checked to see if they would cycle though the 76 without a bullet. They did, one at a time, but if I tried to load two, I'd get a double feed. But, they cycle through my vintage Winchester 1886. The wheels began to churn... I trimmed 5 cases to the exact same length as a .45 Colt case. With the help of some custom made dies from Lee, I seated some 300 grain .45-60/.45-70 bullets in the cases. They cycle just fine in the 86! You gotta be a bit slow, but they work through the action with no problem, and feed into the chamber. They will not work in the 76, getting a double feed, and they function almost flawlessly in my Large Frame Lighting. Anyway, seeing the dummy cartridges work in my 86, I found a new replica 86 with a factory 16" barrel. The cartridges do cycle in the replica 86, but not as well as with the real Winchester. I chalk that up to the fact that the replica's action is not as "smooth" as the real Winchester. If you are not careful, some of the "catches" in the action will cause the cartridge to jump around on the carrier. An action job will soon take place. Anyway, I call this wildcat cartridge that I am developing, the .45-45. (Original, no?) Now, why did I get this 16" barrel 86? (A Chiappa sold by Taylors.) Well, I'm gonna make myself what the Mare's Leg SHOULD have been. As it is, the rifle has the pistol grip stock, and if I cut it just beyond the pistol grip, there is more than enough room to spare to be over the minimum length to not become an SBR. Under normal conditions, I'll run the .45-45 in this gun, but it'll still be capable of running full size .45-70's! Other applications for the cartridge would be for use as a "sub" round in single shot rifles, or in those giant revolvers for .45-70. (If I could find someone who would do it, I'd have a one off custom revolver made for the .45-45, but there are "reasons" why I'll prolly never do it.) Anyway, no, having this new cartridge would not make the 86 (Or I suppose the Large Frame Lightning) suddenly legal for main match use. (I asked.) And of course, the Mare's Leg is not SASS legal, so all of this is purely for fun and personal novelty. Making the cartridge is easy. Getting an (oversized) revolver for it is possible. Getting it work in a rifle is doable. All in all, a lot of fun, and a solution to a problem that does not exist! So, in conclusion, this is an ongoing project. We'll see what happens as it progresses.

Website?

Whoever kills the most turkeys wins?

Well, here's some pics of mine... Hope that helps. Note: Even though this gun will chamber .32 S&W Long, it is designed for .32 S&W. Using the longer round in it is NOT a good idea and can lead to frame stretching over time. One way to confirm this is that with the action open, you will notice that the extractor at its max length is too short to fully eject the Long cartridge. Good luck.