Hello,
The Pietta one is very similar but the nipples are not located at the center of the chambers so that the barrel and chambers are still in the normal position.
In France you need special authorization to get a cartridge pistol but cap and ball are still available . More precisely all cap and ball used to be available but since a few years they have to reproduce real pistols of the past. Hence Buckhunter or Colt 1873 retroconversion for instances are no more available new ; you can get them second hand but with high prices.
If you want a cartridge pistol, you apply for special authorization which has to be renewed every 3 years ; if for any reason this authorization is not renewed ( no reason has to be given by the state) you may either get the gun destroyed (free) or inactivated ( cost 200$ but you keep it) or sell it within 3 months. So basically you are only a loaner of your gun.
As for cap and ball, they are not registered and so they are really yours....
That's France !! However it seems that the situation is worse in our neighbours.
Bye the way you have to be very careful with chain fire : the rear of the frame is very tight (contrary to others) and if one cap happen to be missing ( because it has fallen for instance) the flame of ignition will circulate all around at the back and ignite easily the chamber without cap.
I have shoot a lot with various cap and ball ( Colt, Rem, R§S) without chainfire, but with this gun and a main spring too weak that made me repeat triggering to fire the caps (and I suspect that some fall by the way)I experienced 2 chainfires within short distance !!!! One broke the cylinder pin latch.......
For information, the Pietta gun from Dixie are very well made and the finish is perfect
Bye