1873 SAA cap and ball revolver.

[Skinny 1950]

This Uberti 1873 SAA.. 5-1/2 inch barrel .44 cal. cap and ball revolver was (from what I have read) made for the European market where centre-fire cartridge versions would be prohibited.
The original gun was designed for cartridges but there are several examples of conversions done so that they could use more readily available caps,powder and balls..a reverse conversion process.
The gun is loaded by removing the cylinder and loading it with a press,this turns out to be a lot easier than loading it chamber by chamber in the gun. I prefer to put the caps on with the cylinder out of the gun. If the caps are put on with the cylinder in the gun the loaded chamber is blocked by part of the frame unlike the open top Colts, if and this is a big if.. the cap went off it would be bad news.

Had it up to the range today and took some pictures also took the revolving carbine:

25 grains of Goex FFFG with cornmeal filler:

50 yards and beyond????

 

[tonyg]

Nice pics of the process.
Nice gun too

 

[Brutus]

Nice firearms Skinny.
I always enjoy seeing what you are shooting as of late.

You have good taste sir!

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Hey that is neat! Best of both worlds. Love those revolving carbines as well.

 

[okcorral1881]

Nice pictures....thanks Skinny!
It seems like a long process though!

 

[Steppenwolf]

Very nice Skinny

okcorral1881, "It seems like a long process though!" Five minutes work = 5 seconds fun

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Gotta wonder what purpose the ejector rod and housing serve. I imagine it's like Sam Elliott's moustace - its absence would make it look funny.

Still, pretty cool.

 

[tacfoley]

This here revolver of yours was not made for the European market - it was made for the mainland UK market where cartridge-firing handguns that still look like handguns have been prohibited firearms since 1998.

I think you'll find that it just might have British proof marks on it - look at the barrel and on the front of each chamber on the cylinder for BNP, on the barrel for Black Powder Only and a set of crossed sceptres with letters. If it has the full set of markings it might also have .44 calibre and a load figure.

tac

 

[billdick]

Thats a hell of a nice cap and ball revolver. It looks to be in perfect shape and the wood on the grips is awesome. It looks like the loading stand is made from old massey baler parts.

 

[Skinny 1950]

It is a very nice gun and it shoots great,the loading press is very robust except for the wood where the cylinder sits... it has deformed under the pressure but I am going to beef it up with a brass plate.
Thanks billdick, I am very pleased with this outfit.

 

[H Wally]

Very nice Skinny

okcorral1881, "It seems like a long process though!" Five minutes work = 5 seconds fun

Much like dating

 

[10x]

Much like dating

Fun til the money runs out???

 

[cyclone]

Fun til the money runs out???

Your mind is too clean....

 

[41 Colt]

That's a cool gun, you take good photos too.

 

[10x]

Your mind is too clean....

Sorry, fun till HER money runs out...