How does Pietta and Cabela’s sell these high quality revolvers at such a low price.

[RetiredUSNChief]

I would be curious where you read brass framed revolvers were common in the CSA? Going from memory Spiller & Burr produced maybe 1,500 revolvers and Griswold & Gunnison about 3,500. Add in all the others and you probably have les than 6,000 brass framed revolvers produced in the South during the war. Leech & Rigdon, Rigdon & Ainsley, the Dance Brothers, etc were all iron framed

Compare this to the 125,000 1860 Army's and 100,000 Remmies the Union army purchased. Adding in all the pre war guns, foreign purchases like the LeMat, the pinfire revolvers, Trantner, Adams, etc. I would easily guess there were 350,000 to 500,000 revolvers floating around of which 1% had brass frames. There simply weren't enough to be common

Just before the war started Colt delivered 500 fluted cylinder 1860's to Texas plus many Southern states made pre war revolver purchases. Mosby's men were known to favor 1860 Army's and Bloody Bill Anderson is reputed to have carried 5 or 6 1862 pockets

The South produced some fascinating arms under incredible conditions but their best supplier was the Union army. They were known for stripping prisoners and even the dead for boots, clothes, food, arms, leather gear, and everything else. The fact that they won so many of the early battles in the East gave them the captured cannons, guns, wagons, and often other supplies to carry on. Look at Jackson before 2nd Manassas plundering Pope's supplies or stealing all of Banks wagons in he valley.

(None of this is meant to criticize by the way. In my opinion they waged war against an invading army the best way they could)

My mistake...and likely my misinterpretation of links I've long since read and haven't reviewed recently.

I know that the CSA, being at a disadvantage with respect to small arms manufacturing capabilities, took advantage of whatever they could lay their hands on in battle.

Reviewing some links again:

"This crossing over of weapons from one side to the other, as well as the actual production of the same model handgun in various styles makes it difficult to specifically say one weapon was used by any one side. If there was any one handgun used the most by Union troops it would have to be the Colt models 1851 and 1860 army versions,as well as the Starr revolver. For the Confederate troops it would again be either the Colt models or the Remington model 1858 revolver."

Source: http://www.civilwarhandgun.com/


Perhaps what I'm thinking of was the fact that Griswold & Gunnison was an eminently Southern attempt to manufacture "home-grown" weapons for the war effort, using the materials at hand.


At any rate, this isn't for use as "re-enactment" material, since neither my wife nor I are into that. It's meant to be a gift to my wife, who has recently evidenced an interest in BP guns, for her casual use/entertainment. Being that she's from South Carolina, I figured if I got her one, it should be as representative of her Southern heritage as possible, with respect to common make, model, and caliber.

To that end, I'd appreciate your input.

 

[jaxenro]

Personally I'd go with a Colt style as he had strong ties to the South pre war. If she has smaller hands I would look into one of the 36 caliber pockets like the 1862 Pocket Police. I think I even remember a pic of one given to some politicians wife as a gift I will look for the reference today.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to see what you come up with.

 

[jimsouth]

My Civil War expert friend has a matched set of ( and I am not an expert - just from memory ), is it a .36 cal Colt??? Did Colt manufacture a .36 cap & ball ????? That caliber just popped into my head.

 

[CraigC]

Did Colt manufacture a .36 cap & ball ?????

Yes, a great many. One of Colt's most famous and successful models was a .36, the model 1851 Navy. As was the 1861 Navy, 1862 Pocket Navy and 1862 Pocket Police.

 

[Pete D.]

But what amazes me, is how does Pietta and Cabela’s manage to sell these high quality revolvers at such low prices. My 1858 target is more accurate than any other hand gun I have, or had, to include a Colt Python .357 and Colt Gold Cup .45 acp.

If your 1858 is more accurate than your Gold Cup, then there is something wrong with your Gold Cup (or your ammo).
Don't get me wrong, I love shooting my own BP pistols and appreciate their accuracy but they won't shoot with my Gold Cup at 50 yards.
Pete

 

[Pete D.]

Duplicate post.

 

[Plastikosmd]

I don't think the out shooting a gold cup is that surprising. Except my old marston, or the scoped old army( not fair) all of my bp guns hang with or outshoot my semi's at 50 and 100. Practice and load development. If it isn't accurate, it is gone be it an old army or an x5. Lately the FA 252 scoped has been giving them a run for the money tho.

 

[Pete D.]

Ok

I don't think the out shooting a gold cup is that surprising. Except my old marston, or the scoped old army( not fair) all of my bp guns hang with or outshoot my semi's at 50 and 100. Practice and load development. If it isn't accurate, it is gone be it an old army or an x5. Lately the FA 252 scoped has been giving them a run for the money tho.

Guess that I am gonna have to get the old .36 Navy out and work on the loads.
Pete

 

[Plastikosmd]

do it!

powder(s), compression, filler if used, follow through, (assuming you got a tight gun etc.) go for it.

It is funny, if you were to ask me my least accurate gun, I would never reach for any of my bp guns. Even the marston (cira 1850s' or so) still is minute of 6" pie plate at 50 yards. Of course, some of it, is what you are used to (recoil impulse, delay of percussion/flint vs auto etc) but for standard pistol shooting, I expect the same performance. If not I rule out the gun and keep working on it, after all that is the fun of this hobby!

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I have a theory that Cabela's paid for the upgrade to CNC manufacturing at Pietta and gets sweetheart deals as a result.

 

[BowerR64]

I have a theory that Cabela's paid for the upgrade to CNC manufacturing at Pietta and gets sweetheart deals as a result.

Whats funny is when i went to the bargin cave the first time they had a ton of pistols in their display. I asked if they were all returns or what and the guy told me they were sent to them for quality inspection that most of them were for testing the quality wich i just shrugged off as the guy not knowing what he was talking about.

You might be right because why would cabelas need anything sent for quality checking? They have been selling them for years

I bought 2 from the bargin cave with CL date codes and they are a little different then ones formt he past. They appeared to me to be new if they were shot it was only a few times. Very clean but the arbor did have signs that it had been shot a few times.