Which Dance finish?

[AntiqueSledMan]

Richard,
How about a gated conversion?
Would the frame still need to be relieved for loading port?

Sourdough,
Why do you say the .44 Dance isn't historically correct?

AntiqueSledMan.

[ssb73q]

Hi, a perfect solution to using conversion cylinders with the 1862 Dance has been found. I own a Pietta .44 caliber Griswold & Gunninson that has a brass frame and uses an 1860 cylinder without engraving. Brass framed revolvers can't be used with conversion cylinders, but the Griswold barrel fits the steel framed Dance perfectly. The Griswold barrel is 7.5", the Dance 8".

So there is an easy path to used .45 Colt conversion cylinders with the Dance after all.

Regards,
Richard

[ssb73q]

Hi Antique, I checked if the frame would need to be modified if a gated conversion cylinder is installed. The Dance frame would need to be modified.

Regards,
Richard

[AntiqueSledMan]

Thanks Richard.

Sourdough, after re-reading the PDF my question was answered.
The .44 Dance was built off the Dragoon size frame,
the .36 was built off the Navy size frame.

AntiqueSledMan.

[ssb73q]

Hi, I just picked up a Pietta round .44 1851 barrel on eBay, $50:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pietta-1851-Navy-44-Cal-7-5-Round-Barrel/202707563426?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

That will let me put on a tall front dovetail sight for conversion cylinder use and let me keep the Dance barrel stock.

Regards,
Richard

[ShotgunDave]

Nice score on that barrel Richard.

[sourdough]

Hi, I just picked up a Pietta round .44 1851 barrel on eBay, $50:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pietta-1851-Navy-44-Cal-7-5-Round-Barrel/202707563426?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

That will let me put on a tall front dovetail sight for conversion cylinder use and let me keep the Dance barrel stock.

Regards,
Richard

That Ebay link says it sold for $80, which is still a good price considering VTI sells them new for $125.

Regards,

Jim

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello Sourdough,

All that guys items are "Buy it Now" or "Make Offer",
I'm sure he let it go for $50.

AntiqueSledMan.

[ssb73q]

Hi Jim, you don't believe me?  ??? ??? ???

He took my "make an offer" for $50.

Regards,
Richard

[sourdough]

Richard,

I was just reading the link you provided, that's all.

I am sorry I even brought the subject up.

Jim

[ssb73q]

Hi, the Dance was torn down, all internal parts polished, and a reduced power spring installed. The action is now very slick.

A concern I have for the barrel purchased from eBay is if it will fit. Looking at the other items the barrel seller is selling, it appears that the barrel may have come from a Navy Arms 1851 kit. I think that Navy Arms Pietta's are much older than current Pietta CNC manufacturing.

Regards,
Richard

[G Dog]

At 7.5” I take that barrel to be for a .44 Griswold and Gunnison.  A Dance is 8”.  It looks pre CNC with only “Made in Italy” on the right side.  The G&G here from 2017 has a Pietta logo - Pietta - Made in Italy in that position.  The lettering on mine is cut really deep, too.  Maybe to discourage defarbing.  Griswold’s seem to be the most defarbed C&B going.

I’m half on the make for the 5” version of that barrel.  VTI has them for $125.  I’ll prolly stick with the one I have stock on the gun but those shorties do look cool. 

The combo octagon/round Dragoon style barrel assembly is truly a great look.

[ssb73q]

Hi, the round barrel 1851 arrived today. It is indeed a Navy Arms 1851 barrel. It fit perfectly on my Dance, well sort of. The barrel arbor hole is deeper than the one on the Dance and would need internal shims to have a solid barrel lockup. Also, while the barrel bore is sharp and clean, the exterior finish is "b" grade. I'm a f--ing perfectionist when it come to my guns so I ordered a new Pietta .44 round 1851 barrel from VTI.

I thought of refinishing the Navy Arms barrel, but would still need to address the deep arbor hole. Maybe a project for another day.

Regards,
Richard

[sourdough]

Hi Richard!

You are indeed a perfectionist and I am not downing that in the least. I just do not understand why you ordered a new $125 barrel when the $50 Navy Arms barrel will fit with some shims and some rebluing.

#0000 steel wool and BC Perma Blue works well, but probably not to your satisfaction.

Evidently I am not in the same league as you are.

Good luck with your endeavor, sir!

Regards,

Jim

[ssb73q]

Hi Jim, got an email from VTI that the Pietta .44 1851 round barrel isn't in stock and would be backordered. I'm too old and may never survive any backorder, so cancled my order.  Guess that the use of the eBay barrel is now in order. I'll dovetail a taller front sight and worry about aesthetics in the future.

Regards,
Richard