Colt Country | Home of The Almighty Colt
Black Powder Pistols => Colt's Southern Cousins => J.H. Dance => Topic started by: Fingers McGee on May 16, 2014, 10:23:25 AM
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How many of you out there have a Dance Revolver? You know, the one with no recoil shields. I have one of the early Piettas that came with a square back trigger guard that I've never shot. Any one have any experience shooting one? Do the caps fall off? Inquiring minds want to know.
Here's a picture of mine. Since the pictures were taken, I have replaced the incorrect square back trigger guard with a round one so it would be more historically correct.
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/fingersmcgee/dscn0193.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/fingersmcgee/dscn0194.jpg)
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My buddy had one, Ken. He sold it before he ever shot it though. I just could never get used to the looks.....they just look.....wrong.
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And here I sit, wanting one badly...LOL
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I would too !!!
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Fingers, for once you have posted a picture not unlike what a mere mortal would take. Slightly out of focus, blah background, miserly lighting, just a borderline crappy photograph.
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL FINGERS MCGEE????
(I am sure Captainkirk will pay whatever ransom is required to get the real FM back on line.)
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I've got to go with the good Captain on this one. It's just wrong.
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Fingers, for once you have posted a picture not unlike what a mere mortal would take. Slightly out of focus, blah background, miserly lighting, just a borderline crappy photograph.
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL FINGERS MCGEE????
(I am sure Captainkirk will pay whatever ransom is required to get the real FM back on line.)
No excuse. It was the best I could do at the time; and I haven't done an update. There are a few revolvers I haven't photographed yet much less updated.
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There are a few revolvers I haven't photographed yet much less updated.
Well since you don't care enough about them to take pics just send the poor things to me. Ummmm, You can keep any Dance's tho. *6'
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Did Dance make a 36?
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Did Dance make a 36?
Yes
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I would bet a L&R with the recoil shield milled off would make a passable 36
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I would bet a L&R with the recoil shield milled off would make a passable 36
Mebbe...if you were willing to risk a lynching. L&R is one sweet gun!
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I would bet a L&R with the recoil shield milled off would make a passable 36
I've given thought to doing just that. As soon as I get an L&R in other than NiB condition, I may see about having it done.
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... As soon as I get an L&R in other than NiB condition, ...
You are killing me!
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I have two NIB but could see buying two more down the road to do this to
Wonder where I could have it done at? Would need to have the case hardening redone as well
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I'd have the colors removed & blue the frame then have the whole revolver aged a bit to show a few years hard use.
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sounds good to me
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SINCE MAY of 2014, this has laid dormant in the time chamber.
It is brought forward in order to allow me to partake of this piece of Confederate
history...........in todays light.
Please add at will. L@J
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Here are some pictures:
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/fingersmcgee/DSCN2433_zpsti0d1vpr.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/fingersmcgee/DSCN2436_zpss9qdg3m4.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/fingersmcgee/DSCN2434_zpsosdtchyf.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/fingersmcgee/DSCN2438_zpsxbth8fl4.jpg)
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Scooby, I have read some of your comments as well as others, that gave me
confidence to buy it. Of course Fingers has a pretty good reputation. L@. so bought it from
him.
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If anyone wants to spend $795, Lodgewood has a custom Dance replica in .36 cal:
http://www.lodgewood.com/Custom-First-Model-Dance-Bros-Navy-Revolver_p_2794.html (http://www.lodgewood.com/Custom-First-Model-Dance-Bros-Navy-Revolver_p_2794.html)
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No thanks. If I want one in .36, I'll modify a Leech and Rigdon
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I hear you Fingers.
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Picture of my Dance.
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Do the repro Dances actually have a larger Dragoon-sized frame, or is it built on a 1851 frame?
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In comparing the Dance with one of my Pietta 1851's, the frames are the same with two exceptions. First, of course, is the lack of a recoil shield, and second, the water table is milled slightly deeper to accommodate the larger Dance cylinder. Otherwise they are the same.
The Pietta Dance is not historically correct, however, as the originals had a frame the size of the Colt Dragoon. The cylinder was shorter than the Dragoon, being the same length as the Colt 1860 Army, which made the Dance slightly lighter than the Dragoon.
RC
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In comparing the Dance with one of my Pietta 1851's, the frames are the same with two exceptions. First, of course, is the lack of a recoil shield, and second, the water table is milled slightly deeper to accommodate the larger Dance cylinder. Otherwise they are the same.
The Pietta Dance is not historically correct, however, as the originals had a frame the size of the Colt Dragoon. The cylinder was shorter than the Dragoon, being the same length as the Colt 1860 Army, which made the Dance slightly lighter than the Dragoon.
RC
RC,
You have been so much help to me in my quest for a Pietta Dance .36 on a Navy frame, and you have given much info as far as the differences between your Pietta Dance .44 and the Pietta 1851 Navy .36 that I have stopped in my journey to acquire a factory one that is mix-and-match with my other Pietta Navy type .36 pistols. My only choice, as I see it, is to buy a Pietta 1851 Navy .36 steel, mill off the recoil shields, color-case the new areas (or full frame), and install the G&G part round/part octagon .36 barrel.
Please, sir, you need to post the pictures here that you have of the Pietta Dance .44 cylinder vs. the Pietta .36 Navy cylinder. I looked for the link you posted earlier about this on other forums but cannot find it. The view of the front of the two cylinders says it all.
Thanks in advance!
Jim
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In Pietta parts bin,there only seems to be one grip frame,and most that I have seen I could
be wrong have the shoulder stock mounting notch at the bottom of grip frame at least on brass.
But thats Pietta :(
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No thanks. If I want one in .36, I'll modify a Leech and Rigdon
Hawg, that's fine if you want an Uberti. Pietta does not market a L&R so I will have to go with my premise. I have a master machinist with a full 3-phase power shop next-door to me so it is just a 100 yard walk for the milling operation.
If anyone wants to spend $795, Lodgewood has a custom Dance replica in .36 cal:
http://www.lodgewood.com/Custom-First-Model-Dance-Bros-Navy-Revolver_p_2794.html (http://www.lodgewood.com/Custom-First-Model-Dance-Bros-Navy-Revolver_p_2794.html)
I looked at that link to that pistol and I must say that is a very nice repro, even though it was created from a Colt 1851 Navy .36 and seems to be from a Colt 1851 Navy Late Third Model with the small round TG and the long trigger.
And that is why I have a problem with defarbed pistols. In 20-30 years, many newcomers to this hobby will not have access to our current-era posts about this pistol (and other creations we have concocted). And others who, like me, mix and match replica parts for variations (but I do not defarb), it just might slide by as an actual J. H. Dance & Bros pistol, with serial numbers within historical realms and not the same as any Dance revolver so far extant.
IMO, that is wrong unless the creator of such a fine piece marks it in some way as to discern it from an original.
I am off of my soapbox here.
G'Day!
Jim
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(...) My only choice, as I see it, is to buy a Pietta 1851 Navy .36 steel, mill off the recoil shields, color-case the new areas (or full frame), and install the G&G part round/part octagon .36 barrel. (...)
If you go that way, Jim, do not bother to color case the frame. From all the pictures I have seen of original Dance revolvers, it seems quite obvious that the frames were blued, just like the other iron parts.
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In Pietta parts bin,there only seems to be one grip frame,and most that I have seen I could
be wrong have the shoulder stock mounting notch at the bottom of grip frame at least on brass.
But thats Pietta :(
Just to reiterate (ad nauseum for you frequent folks), Pietta changed the 1851 Navy Type grip profile beginning with date code [CN] 2015 to include all models (1851 Navy and G&G). Prior to that, ending in [CM] 2014, the grip profile was of the "tail" variety.
The Pietta 2014 gripstrap, trigger guard, and wood parts are not interchangeable "individually" with the Pietta 2015 (or newer) gripstrap, trigger guard, and wood parts. As a 3-piece unit they can be fitted easily to any Pietta 1851 Navy .36 built after ~2000.
Yes, almost all of the latest Piettas have that bottom gripstrap divot on both the brassers and the steel models. I managed to acquire a gripstrap without the divot (through no fault of my own) from VTI (you might contact VTI or Taylor's for inquiries about Pietta parts) who sold it as an 1860 backstrap when I was venturing into putting an 1860 gripframe on an 1851. I have given up that quest for now.
However, the divotless backstrap now resides on my G&G.
As an aside, I have always admired the 1851 squareback TG. I ordered one from Taylor's 3 years ago, for the 2014 1851 Navy .36. It took about 3 months to have the order clear customs, et al. It fit perfectly on the 2014 "tail" pistol. I don't think Pietta is offering any 1851 Navy Squareback pistols these days.
If you want one you might want to check Dixie Gun Works. It will most likely be a pre-2015 model, but those will start to be collectible in repro circles since Pietta is not producing them anymore.
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(...) My only choice, as I see it, is to buy a Pietta 1851 Navy .36 steel, mill off the recoil shields, color-case the new areas (or full frame), and install the G&G part round/part octagon .36 barrel. (...)
If you go that way, Jim, do not bother to color case the frame. From all the pictures I have seen of original Dance revolvers, it seems quite obvious that the frames were blued, just like the other iron parts.
Ah, Ringo my friend!
I was not aware of that. I guess I have to do more study with my books. Thank you for the head's up on that!
I hope you had a good dinner using hard-crust French bread tonight! I love it with butter and lots of garlic!
Good to hear from you, sir.
Jim
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Since the pictures were taken, I have replaced the incorrect square back trigger guard with a round one so it would be more historically correct.
So where is the TG? I want it! Let me know what you want for it. Ain't too many produced these days, as you know. I am collecting them.
Jim
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(...) I hope you had a good dinner using hard-crust French bread tonight! I love it with butter and lots of garlic! (...)
We always have ead on the table for each meal, whether baguette or round loaf. There is nothing that can top a good slice of bread and butter (especially slightly-salted butter). Whenever you come to France, I'll be glad to treat you to as much as you like.
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Well, Ringo, I doubt I will ever make it to France, but we love French cuisine. I am searching for any good French recipe that you might forward on a PM as this is off topic.
You folks just eat some fantastic bread, and think of me, who has no bread like yours. We have only poor imitations!
Jim
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Jim, here is that picture of the Dance cylinder and the G & G cylinder.
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(...) My only choice, as I see it, is to buy a Pietta 1851 Navy .36 steel, mill off the recoil shields, color-case the new areas (or full frame), and install the G&G part round/part octagon .36 barrel. (...)
If you go that way, Jim, do not bother to color case the frame. From all the pictures I have seen of original Dance revolvers, it seems quite obvious that the frames were blued, just like the other iron parts.
If you look at the pic that I posted, you will notice that I did in fact remove the case coloring and blued the frame.
and right you were !