Help identifying gunmaker

[Rcampb6131]

One of my Schneider and Glessick repro's evidently started life as a kit.  There are no proof marks and no date code.  It was imported by Connecticut Valley Arms Inc., which is stamped on the top barrel flat.  The bottom flat is stamped "Black Powder Only, Cal 36, Made in Italy."  Except for a three digit serial number, there are no other marks.  Any idea who might have made this gun?

RC

[Hawg]

It looks to have a cylinder scene so ASM. Probably ASM if it doesn't have a cylinder scene.

[99whip]

Most of the CVA revolvers I've run across were made by ASM. 

[Hawg]

Most of the CVA revolvers I've run across were made by ASM.

I'm thinking some of them were Pietta. I looked at one at a gun show once that had both Navy Arms and CVA logos on it and if my memory isn't failing me it was a Pietta.

[99whip]

Wouldn't surprise me at all Hawg. 

[AntiqueSledMan]

Rcampb6131,

I measured the arbor on one of my Armi San Marco's where the wedge goes through, .425".
Then measured same spot on one of my Pietta's, .432".

Hope this helps.

[Rcampb6131]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I have compared this revolver to my ASM 1851 Navy and an older 1851 Pietta, and there are many small differences.  These include the loading aperture cutout on the barrel lug, cylinder dimensions, trigger guard, loading lever length, etc.  the only similarity to ASM is the rammer screw that enters from the right side.  Otherwise, all other features are different.  The mystery continues.

RC

[99whip]

Does the mystery model have a date code on it?  And if so, is it close in year of production to the other two models?

This idea probably won't get you any closer, but - since you have an ASM Navy and a Pietta Navy to compare it against, I would be tempted to see how the grip geometry compares (backstsrap & triggerguard) from the mystery model to the other two, would it exchange and fit with either of the others, or maybe it's close to fitting on one but not even close on the other, etc. 

Whether it fits or not, I still don't think it would prove anything definitive as even amongst the same manufacturer's guns the geometry often differs enough to not allow parts like that to interchange, but as part of solving a mystery, it'd be something else to test...

Whip

 
 

[Rcampb6131]

The front and back straps are almost identical between the "mystery" revolver and the ASM.  The wood grips, however, are totally different.  There is no date code and no proof marks.

Here is a picture of the two, ASM on the right.   Note the differences between the arbors and also the thickness of the hammer on the "mystery" gun.

RC

[99whip]

Yea, just tons of variables.  Haven't ever bought a kit, stands to reason a kit might come without a date code though, don't really know.  I think the difference in wood/wood finish is a factor of it being a kit.  Does the mystery cylinder fit properly on the ASM arbor, or both? 

In the end, without some sort of manufacturer stamp, might never know 100%.   

[Rcampb6131]

No, the ASM arbor is slightly larger in diameter.  The mystery cylinder will not slide on.  I think you are correct, I probably will never know the gun maker.

RC

[Hawg]

A kit gun wouldn't have all the proof marks. A defarbed one wouldn't have the bp warning and made in Italy.

[99whip]

A kit gun wouldn't have all the proof marks.

Hawg, are you including date code in that statement too?  Just asking.

[Hawg]

A kit gun wouldn't have all the proof marks.

Hawg, are you including date code in that statement too?  Just asking.

Usually there is no date code but I've heard different. I'm no expert with first hand knowledge tho.

[Captainkirk]

The ASP kit I assembled had no date code. Just sayin'...