Hi, the Uberti 1851 Navy Frederic Remington commemorative .36 cal revolver I purchased from Mike arrived today. Mike even gave me a new pistol muff.
This revolver is described with photos here:
http://blackpowdersmoke.com/colt/index.php?topic=1473.msg13277#msg13277The fit and timing is excellent, as is all the metalwork. The bore is sharp and excellent. While there is minor holster wear, the finish is very good. Mike described the frame and loading lever as "in the white", but I suspect that the white is either silver or nickel. I put a little cold blue on the underside of the lever. It didn't blue like on steel, very light stain. There is zero rust on the white finish so I don't think it is bare steel or stainless steel. More experimentation is needed.
The engraving is much deeper than the laser engraving on current production Piettas, but suspect it is some automated process. In any event, it looks great.
Being a Uberti, this revolver still requires an arbor extension to properly set the barrel/cylinder gap. There are also some screws in the grip that have poor fitting screwdriver issues. Those screws will be replaced.
I spent hours doing internet research trying to find out more about this 1851 sold through the New England Collectors Society. There is very little information other than they also created a collectible 1858 Remington called 'The Rattlesnake" made by Pietta. There must have been more 1858s sold than the 1851. If anyone knows more about the New England Collectors Society 1851 please post that information.
The dilemma I'm now faced with is if this is simply a display revolver, or shooter. I'm leaning to shooter. If that's the path I take, a 38 Colt/38 Special conversion cylinder for this Uberti is in the future. While I don't understand it, the feel of this Uberti in my hand is superior to my Pietta 1851s.
I will soon take this revolver apart to inspect the interior parts.
Bottom line, I am very happy for my purchase, thank you Mike!
Regards,
Richard