Ephraim Kibbey
Member
THANK YOU Remy1858, I had never heard of October Country until you provided that link!
Dance Navy (Pietta)
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expat_alaska
Member
I took delivery of the Dance about 1600 yesterday and have been disassembling the wedge and barrel from the frame. It appears that Guido the Pietta Gorilla was at work back then, too. The wedge was driven in very hard and it took about 5 whacks with a big mallet to get it out even after I let oil penetrate the wedge/slot for about an hour, and it does not allow for any part of wedge spring tip to show outside of the right barrel lug. The barrel was almost as hard to move off the frame. I don’t believe it has ever been fired as there is absolutely no residue and the bore is mirror bright.
The gun is date code BH/1996 (both the frame and barrel lug) like Davis stated, and has DANCE FIREARMS CO. – ANGLETON, TEXAS on the top of the round barrel and <FAP> F.LLIPIETTA-MADE IN ITALY on the right side of the round barrel, both filled in white; BLACK POWDER ONLY 36 CAL. on the left side of the round barrel, not filled in white. Alas, it has the normal Pietta large beveled load aperture on the barrel lug. Historically the Dance should have no aperture.
It also has the “tail” grip profile like my CM/2014 Navy Second Model .36, and the wood is walnut with lots of figure on both sides. If I wanted a round TG for it I would have a hard time finding one.
The walnut case wood is very good, but the bottom liner cloth is pretty scuffed up where the gun/flask compartments are, like it had previously been used for an 1860 Army with a rebated cylinder and 4-screw frame. The key and lock work but presently I cannot remove the key from the lock when in the locked position, something I will have to work on.
The used flask and 2-cavity mold (round ball and conical) have no markings; the brass cap tin (“pill box” on the inside label) is one from Cash Manufacturing. The generic nipple wrench appears new with no markings.
I am glad I was mainly interested in the gun and not the rest. It would have cost me much more than $300 to create a Dance from a Navy donor.
Pictures to follow in a few days.
Regards,
Jim
The gun is date code BH/1996 (both the frame and barrel lug) like Davis stated, and has DANCE FIREARMS CO. – ANGLETON, TEXAS on the top of the round barrel and <FAP> F.LLIPIETTA-MADE IN ITALY on the right side of the round barrel, both filled in white; BLACK POWDER ONLY 36 CAL. on the left side of the round barrel, not filled in white. Alas, it has the normal Pietta large beveled load aperture on the barrel lug. Historically the Dance should have no aperture.
It also has the “tail” grip profile like my CM/2014 Navy Second Model .36, and the wood is walnut with lots of figure on both sides. If I wanted a round TG for it I would have a hard time finding one.
The walnut case wood is very good, but the bottom liner cloth is pretty scuffed up where the gun/flask compartments are, like it had previously been used for an 1860 Army with a rebated cylinder and 4-screw frame. The key and lock work but presently I cannot remove the key from the lock when in the locked position, something I will have to work on.
The used flask and 2-cavity mold (round ball and conical) have no markings; the brass cap tin (“pill box” on the inside label) is one from Cash Manufacturing. The generic nipple wrench appears new with no markings.
I am glad I was mainly interested in the gun and not the rest. It would have cost me much more than $300 to create a Dance from a Navy donor.
Pictures to follow in a few days.
Regards,
Jim
LonesomePigeon
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Congrats, Jim. It sounds awesome and I can't wait to see pics.
LonesomePigeon
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Congrats, Jim. It sounds awesome and I can't wait to see pics.
Hoof Hearted
Member
Jim,
Mine arrived a couple days ago after four days of FedEx saying it was out for delivery (a by product of lazy drivers and my very rural property). It is perfect with no issues as you described. I didn’t go for a boxed set and after seeing a lot of mismatched sets and “rough” boxes I’m pretty glad I didn’t. By the way there were only 35 Angleton Dance 36’s made and four 44’s marked as such. A Pietta 51 Navy that I had donated the complete grip assembly and worked perfectly!
Hoof Hearted
Member
Not being argumentative just sharing some pictures of an original Dance that I found on the net a number of years ago (it has a loading cutout on the right side of the barrel lug).
Cowhide Cliff
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So it seems the Pietta version of the 36 dance is their standard dimensions for their 51? Such as cylinder, frame, etc. I'm assuming since the grip frame fits fine.
This really has me urged to build one by milling off the sides of a 51 frame and milling and replacing the front sight on a G&G barrel.
This really has me urged to build one by milling off the sides of a 51 frame and milling and replacing the front sight on a G&G barrel.
Hoof Hearted
Member
Sounds like a project!
expat_alaska
Member
Thank you for correcting me! I must have had the "other" Texas-made revolver on my brain. Tucker, Sherrard, & Co. were the guns without the load aperture. I need to engage my brain before putting fingers on the keyboard.
My bad!
Jim
expat_alaska
Member
expat_alaska
Member
Here are three photos (plus the Navy 2nd Model for comparison):
Jim
Jim
Hoof Hearted
Member
Nice!
I have a Tucker and my bud just bought the one from the Davis collection and yes no loading cut and the 51 style rammer latch.
Hoof Hearted
Member
Nice!
Angelton address?
expat_alaska
Member
Hoof,
Yes! Just like yours. I do like the round TG gripframe you installed: more historic.
Jim
Yes! Just like yours. I do like the round TG gripframe you installed: more historic.
Jim
Hoof Hearted
Member
Thanks! In the process I managed to make a pretty correct 1851 second model clone.....
Cowhide Cliff
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Yeah need that and the barrel from a G&G. I just switch all that around on a navy frame so I would have something on the order of a Leech and Rigdon. Now I'm thinking of doing it again but modify the frame and front sight which will require refinishing or antique it but would be a fun project.
Cowhide Cliff
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Definitely looks better with the round trigger guard.
expat_alaska
Member
That was my original intention until I found the Pietta Dance. This would have been my donor revolver: Pietta 1851 Navy CP/2016 with part round/part octagon barrel and smooth cylinder (parts from VTI & Taylor's, wood from a forum friend) for the project.
It might very well have been a fun project but would have cost quite a bit more than the $300 I paid for the cased Dance.
This way I still have a Leech & Rigdon, or a Rigdon & Ansley with a 12-stop-slot cylinder I made up.
Jim
Ephraim Kibbey
Member
I just took delivery of the Dr. Davis cased Pietta 1862 Dance SN C00096 from October Country.
My iPhone 7 died last week so pictures will have to wait until I can afford a new phone.
Guns (necessities) first then phones (nuisances) later.
The revolver is beautiful but unlike Jim's C00013 the lettering is not white filled.
The left side of the barrel is marked "Black Powder Only 36 Cal."
The right side is marked "<FAP> F.LLIPIETTA-MADE IN ITALY."
The right sides of both the case hardened frame and the blued barrel lug are marked with the Italian proofs and the date cartouche "BH" for 1996.
Only the under side of the frame is marked with the serial number "C00096."
There are no markings on the bottom or top (I snoozed and lost) of the barrel.
It has the square trigger guard and Pietta "tail" old style grip of walnut colored wood with attractive grain pattern.
The action works smoothly if the hammer is pulled back with lots of force.
The Navy Arms/Replica Arms style English fitted case is in good shape except that the partition around the flask has come unglued in shipping.
I thought it was standard procedure to ship the heavy revolver separately from the case to prevent tearing up the insides but I guess October Company did not know that.
The lock functions properly.
I can not open the cap tin yet and may be forced to use tools to do so.
The flask is the basket weave Pedersoli style with a spout marked "Made in Italy."
The bullet mold is marked only "8787."
The nipple wrench is the folding type with a screwdriver as the turning arm.
VERY Happy with my purchase!!!
My iPhone 7 died last week so pictures will have to wait until I can afford a new phone.
Guns (necessities) first then phones (nuisances) later.
The revolver is beautiful but unlike Jim's C00013 the lettering is not white filled.
The left side of the barrel is marked "Black Powder Only 36 Cal."
The right side is marked "<FAP> F.LLIPIETTA-MADE IN ITALY."
The right sides of both the case hardened frame and the blued barrel lug are marked with the Italian proofs and the date cartouche "BH" for 1996.
Only the under side of the frame is marked with the serial number "C00096."
There are no markings on the bottom or top (I snoozed and lost) of the barrel.
It has the square trigger guard and Pietta "tail" old style grip of walnut colored wood with attractive grain pattern.
The action works smoothly if the hammer is pulled back with lots of force.
The Navy Arms/Replica Arms style English fitted case is in good shape except that the partition around the flask has come unglued in shipping.
I thought it was standard procedure to ship the heavy revolver separately from the case to prevent tearing up the insides but I guess October Company did not know that.
The lock functions properly.
I can not open the cap tin yet and may be forced to use tools to do so.
The flask is the basket weave Pedersoli style with a spout marked "Made in Italy."
The bullet mold is marked only "8787."
The nipple wrench is the folding type with a screwdriver as the turning arm.
VERY Happy with my purchase!!!
expat_alaska
Member
EK,
Happy Day!
Dr. Davis' information (graciously supplied by Hoof -thank you!) seems to be spot on. Yours is the second part of the run (#52 -#127) and did not have the Angleton address on top of the barrel, but all else is the same.
Your case and accoutrements are in much better shape than mine. The brass cap tin is probably the same as mine and only has a sticker inside with a disclaimer about the caps possibly discoloring the inside by Cash Manufacturing, marked TDC in a cartouche on the bottom. The flask and has no markings. The 2-cavity bullet mold (ball and conical) is marked Euroarms Made In Italy and the sprue cutter has some rust on the underside. The nipple wrench/screwdriver is L-shaped, not hinged, and is unmarked.
Good to hear you are another satisfied person!
Regards
Jim
Happy Day!
Dr. Davis' information (graciously supplied by Hoof -thank you!) seems to be spot on. Yours is the second part of the run (#52 -#127) and did not have the Angleton address on top of the barrel, but all else is the same.
Your case and accoutrements are in much better shape than mine. The brass cap tin is probably the same as mine and only has a sticker inside with a disclaimer about the caps possibly discoloring the inside by Cash Manufacturing, marked TDC in a cartouche on the bottom. The flask and has no markings. The 2-cavity bullet mold (ball and conical) is marked Euroarms Made In Italy and the sprue cutter has some rust on the underside. The nipple wrench/screwdriver is L-shaped, not hinged, and is unmarked.
Good to hear you are another satisfied person!
Regards
Jim
Ephraim Kibbey
Member
Jim
Congratulations, the Colt style L shaped wrenches that are not hinged are going for $$$ on ebay.
My hinged one goes for $16 on a good day.
You could pay for almost half of the Dance by selling it!!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Colt-L-Sha...324381?hash=item262e77401d:g:6JoAAOSw-Ihd9EHR
These are no where to be found in any of the black powder online catalogs now so they are in short supply.
Congratulations, the Colt style L shaped wrenches that are not hinged are going for $$$ on ebay.
My hinged one goes for $16 on a good day.
You could pay for almost half of the Dance by selling it!!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Colt-L-Sha...324381?hash=item262e77401d:g:6JoAAOSw-Ihd9EHR
These are no where to be found in any of the black powder online catalogs now so they are in short supply.
Last edited:
expat_alaska
Member
EK,
I am astounded! It looks just like the one on your link, but like it just came out of the box: no signs of use, no scratches, just black.
I told my wife about it, showed her the Ebay photo, and the first thing she said was, "It can't be!". I am having trouble believing it myself.
Thanks for the heads up, sir!!
Jim
Edit: It is too large for any of my revolvers.
I am astounded! It looks just like the one on your link, but like it just came out of the box: no signs of use, no scratches, just black.
I told my wife about it, showed her the Ebay photo, and the first thing she said was, "It can't be!". I am having trouble believing it myself.
Thanks for the heads up, sir!!
Jim
Edit: It is too large for any of my revolvers.
Last edited:
LonesomePigeon
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Congrats to those who obtained the rare Dance revolvers and thanks for sharing the pictures.
expat_alaska
Member
More eye candy.
This is a quote from Dr. James (Jim) L. Davis on April 26, 2010 on the CAS City forum:
"Uberti made 50 Dance Commemoratives with only 44 being accepted by Tony Gajewski They all have an AR prefix on the serial number starting with AR001 and have a Certificate of Authenticity with each gun. After the Commemoratives the "Shooter Model" was introduced starting with serial # 0001. These revolvers had plain cylinders and are marked SMLS INC ANGLETON TEXAS. These were all sold the first year they were introduced in 1985.
Thanks to this Forum I have just been able to purchase an original, not "scrap", Uberti Dance Replica on Gun Broker. It was not listed in the right place so there were no bids on it. The Pathfinder put me in touch with this find. There were 50 of these manufactured by Uberti. This is only the second one I have ever seen for sale in twenty years. The first was a set, #3 & 4, which RPRCA was able to purchase around 14yrs. ago."
Last Sunday a gentleman on the Civil War Talk forum posted these photos of an Uberti cased set he purchased two weeks prior, date code AN/1985, S/N's 0003 and 0004, from October Country, part of the Davis collection. He did not say what he paid for them.
Enjoy!
Jim
This is a quote from Dr. James (Jim) L. Davis on April 26, 2010 on the CAS City forum:
"Uberti made 50 Dance Commemoratives with only 44 being accepted by Tony Gajewski They all have an AR prefix on the serial number starting with AR001 and have a Certificate of Authenticity with each gun. After the Commemoratives the "Shooter Model" was introduced starting with serial # 0001. These revolvers had plain cylinders and are marked SMLS INC ANGLETON TEXAS. These were all sold the first year they were introduced in 1985.
Thanks to this Forum I have just been able to purchase an original, not "scrap", Uberti Dance Replica on Gun Broker. It was not listed in the right place so there were no bids on it. The Pathfinder put me in touch with this find. There were 50 of these manufactured by Uberti. This is only the second one I have ever seen for sale in twenty years. The first was a set, #3 & 4, which RPRCA was able to purchase around 14yrs. ago."
Last Sunday a gentleman on the Civil War Talk forum posted these photos of an Uberti cased set he purchased two weeks prior, date code AN/1985, S/N's 0003 and 0004, from October Country, part of the Davis collection. He did not say what he paid for them.
Enjoy!
Jim
LonesomePigeon
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Those Uberti ones are nice too.
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