Hi Kirk, here's your chance, a new Pietta 1851 for $180 and free shipping. The Cabelas inventory reduction is occurring quickly. Better act fast.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pietta-Model-Navy-Yank-Caliber-Black-Powder-Revolver/705021.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dpietta%26CQ_st%3Db
Regards,
Richard
Well, without reading this post (or any others concerning this sale), as I was in the market for a Pietta 1851 Navy replica Third Model (or Fourth Model if you will), date coded [CP], I stumbled upon this sale on October 4. $180 and free shipping (plus state sales tax), so I grabbed it. It arrived yesterday October 10.
[Side note: Mr. Brown had just delivered another package across the road and came to our place (very rural) and said he had been bitten by one of their dogs on the leg. We offered him some first aid but all he would accept was a few alcohol swabs and a Band-Aid. I hope he is doing well.]
Mixed emotions on this pistol.
It came in what appears the original Pietta box slathered in oil, as usual. After cleaning it up and inspecting it, there are a few flaws and a few raves.
Raves:
The trigger is awesome out of the box: about a 3# or less pull, no creep, and crisp. Better than my other two Pietta 1851's, and the wood fit to the metal is better than my two other Pietta 1851's [the 1851 Navy Second Model (SB TG) [CM] and the Griswold and Gunnison [CN] and the walnut wood grain is flat-sawed (as opposed to my Pietta G&G which is walnut quarter-sawed), which makes (IMO) a better looking grip. The case colors on the frame and the load-lever are more than adequate, comparing them to my Pietta "tail" 1851 Navy Second Model SB, which I am very partial to.
Flaws:
Even though it came to me in a factory box, bathed in oil in the plastic bag, I wonder if it was a display model.
The barrel has
very minor surface scratches on all surfaces, and the brass TG and backstrap have minor abrasions which I can remedy with judicious polishing.
I believe this is due to people handling the pistol at a Cabela's store; maybe or maybe not. Maybe that was why it was on sale. Dunno.
All in all, for the price, I am pleased. Just a bit of work to do, as always. Guido the Gorilla pounded in the wedge, but after 15 minutes of moving the wedge with oil back and forth I can honestly say that all barrel/wedge/cylinders interchange easily between the three pistols, with no fitting as with the previous two pistols.
When I refinish the wood with Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil I will post pictures of my replicas (to include S&G, L&R, and others).
As I am into 1851 Navy variations, this will probably my last purchase of a C&B revolver unless I can score an 1848 Colt Dragoon Second Model replica at a good price (I just love SB TG's).
Have a good day, folks!
Jim