My project is to use 3
Pietta 1851 Navy .36 pistols to create an 1851 Navy Second Model, an 1851 Navy Third/Fourth Model, a Leech and Rigdon, a Schneider and Glassick, and a Griswold and Gunnison, along with a fantasy 1851 Navy Dragoon, and at least 7 other fantasy pistols (your choice: mix and match parts).
All are Italian replicas. All were bought from Cabela's on sale except for the G&G (at full price) over a 3-year period. I have ~$600 invested.
(In advance, I apologize for the picture quality. My 10-year-old Olympus digital camera went south a few weeks ago, so these pictures are from my wife's phone camera.)
One may notice that Pietta (before 2015) case colors the trigger; these are now blued.
The goal, using 3 Pietta pistols, was to create them by only swapping frames, barrels, and cylinders. No screws or screwdriver involved.
The original pistol for the project was an 1851 Navy (2014 [CM]) steel frame with a RB TG. I ordered a SB TG from Taylor's for this specific model, and while it took a bit for the total shipment of parts from Pietta to clear Customs, et al, it arrived and was installed with no fitting. Hence, an 1851 Navy Second Model. The wood is not original; rather from Ebay and is European hardwood, not walnut. It has the "tail" gripframe configuration, not to be confused with the next two pistols. Engraved cylinder.
The 1851 Navy (2016 [CP]) steel frame Third/Fourth Model. Engraved cylinder.
The Leech and Rigdon: 1851 Navy steel with the G&G barrel and plain cylinder. [CP] frame.
The Schneider and Glassick: The G&G brass frame with an 1851 navy octagonal barrel and plain cylinder. [CN] frame.
The Griswold and Gunnison: Brass frame and half octagonal/half round barrel, plain cylinder [CN] frame.
And my fantasy pistol: an 1851 Navy Dragoon .36. The lines are better than the octagonal barrel, and it is just purty! [CM] frame.
Well, I hope you enjoyed.
Any critiques welcomed.
Jim