Yard sale find, what do you expect for $25!?!?

[Arkansas Paul]

Man, I wish stuff like that happened to me. That is so cool.

 

[Cosmoline]

I had no idea kids could be trained to birddog gun deals like that. I may have to look into having some after all.

 

[Cult of 1858]

Whilst not knocking 'TheOtherWaldo's post about the cast marks. I got the appraisal back from the smith.

This is a fine example of a Remington 1858 style cap and ball revolver, with some discrepancies from a true original. Most notable of these is the fact that this revolver has a cylinder that was not made for it. The cylinder appears to be an Italian replica, no date mark has been found, although proof marks and a serial / part number are evident. Style and markings would lead to the belief that this dated from the late 1950's to the early 1970's. The cylinder has been modified in length, OD and function so that it will function correctly with the above firearm.
Barrel has been shortened by approx 1/4" at some point and but not recrowned. Chambers and throat/bore are aligned.
Barrel address has either never been applied, or has been purposefully removed with some skill. It also seems that some person also attempted to remove other exterior inspection marks. Patina on the barrel would support that this was done in the revolvers early years. Two inspection marks that bear this treatment can be found on the front of the grip frame, just behind the trigger guard assembly. I cannot make out what these markings are. Note: European Proofing marks are usually quite deep and would be difficult to remove completely (for a reason), traces on this firearm are shallow and not consistent with European Proofing.
Top of hammer has been ground down to allow better sighting. Grip has a worn 'cartouche', also defaced. The wooden grips show sign of age shrinkage consistent with other antique revolvers.
Comparisons of pictures/schematic drawings show this revolver to be in the pattern of an 1858/1861 Remington Army 44.
Two screws were tested. The grip retaining screw is M4x0,70, the trigger guard retaining screw measures 6-40 old standard. At this point I will not test any other screws and would recommend that this firearm be seen by an expert in Civil War weaponry.
My professional opinion on the condition of this revolver with regards to firing with Black Powder. Whilst the cylinder itself shows proof marks (Black Powder), due to the lack of barrel and action proofs, I cannot recommend using this as a fully functioning firearm without further tests.
I cannot give an NRA Antique rating to this firearm due to the addition of the newer cylinder, etc.
I also cannot place a ball park value on this piece as I have nothing with which to compare it.
Please note:
My opinions on the veracity of the origin of antique firearms are just that; opinions. I base these on past and current research, but reserve the right to be incorrect sometimes. I am not an expert in Civil War weaponry and would suggest this piece be seen by such.

Bottom line, the piece has replacement parts that aint original, but, it sure looks like the majority of the revolver may be real.

STILL a mystery gun though

 

[junkman_01]

I hope you didn't pay much for that 'non appraisal'.

I go with waldos opinion. It's a defarbed reproduction, not an original.

 

[Cult of 1858]

yeah, i agree that the 'appraisal' is not really saying anything that i dont already know, and no, i got my cash back as he scratched the damn thing.
The only two things that i put any money on are the screw measurements and the fact that it needs looked at by someone who actually knows something about them.

He is careful not to say its an original or not, and I am still on the fence about the whole thing.

 

[mykeal]

Actually, I think it's a very good appraisal; he admits it's not one he can properly assess and recommends the right corrective action. Others have done considerably worse. If you are basing your opinion on the fact that he does not provide definitive answers as to the gun's origin, you're missing the point.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I think that was a very fair appraisal.


Nice find, too!

 

[Jaymo]

I'm with Mykeal and BullfrogKen on this one. Without clear identifying marks, he can not give a definitive answer in regards to pedigree. More research is necessary.
The gunsmith knows his limitations and worked within them.