Fixing a Pocket Colt 1849

[Skinny 1950]

I am working on an original 1849 Pocket Colt and have found a better cylinder which had no nipples in it, the replacement cylinder has a really strong stagecoach hold-up scene and no serial number, it is an old one but in great shape. The nipples that I ordered didn't fit so I tried the nipples from my 1851 Uberti Navy .36 and they fit. The Uberti was made in 2010 so is near new and I think the size for the nipples is 12-28....the question I have is does the 12 indicate the size of a #12 drill bit and the 28 is the thread pitch???
The Pocket Colt only needs 5 nipples so I am going to replace all 6 of the nipples on the Uberti with Treso type which I have heard are better than the factory nipples..has anyone had experience with Treso nipples and if so where can I order some.
Here is a picture of the gun that I am working on, it also needs a new hand & spring, a new bolt and a timing job.

 

[Nappers]

Actually you should use a #14 drill bit or closest is 3/16. The "28" is threads per inch if memory serves.....

Very nice gun, can't wait to see when you get it all put back together

Keep us updated!

 

[mykeal]

The '12' indicates the thread major diameter is 0.216", and 28 refers to the number of threads per inch (as Nappers has already stated). The No. 14 tap drill is 0.182" in diameter and is the recommended size for drilling a hole to be tapped with 12x28 UNF threads.

I have use Treso nipples in several guns for many years. I am completely satisfied with them both in terms of performance and longevity. They are an excellent product. There are many sources of Treso nipples; one I use regularly is Track of the Wolf; they don't use the Treso brand name, however, preferring instead to call them "Ampco bronze" nipples after the proprietary alloy used to make them.

 

[sltm1]

Skinny, before you do any drillin' and fillin, "Track of the Wolf" sold me some Colt replacement nipples for 1st gen Colts, they were an exact match for my 1860 Savage Navy. I guess some things were standard back then afterall. Give them a call and ask about your pocket sized Colt.