Wednesday, April 27, 2016

One Revolver from Two

I had two revolvers, both not very useable.  The best parts were used to make one revolver.



Barrel and Cylinder are from a 1851 style Spesco .36 caliber brass frame, date code XXVI.   This barrel is clean with no rust or pitting in the bore.

This frame is a 1862 type steel frame, DGG (Armi San Paolo), date code [AF], with the rifle stock notches and screws.

I'll try to put up better pictures when it's sunny outside.

Here is the resulting revolver.




















The barrel would not move all of the way back to eliminate that massive cylinder gap.  A small amount of metal was removed from where the two pins align the barrel and frame.  The cylinder gap is now very small.

The wedge gap was moved forward in the barrel portion to accomodate the barrel setback.

The cylinder locks up very nicely and is much better than the original off-center fluted 1860 cylinder.





This particular cylinder has two sizes in its bores.  One half takes a .375 RB while the other half takes a .380 RB, not sure how that happened.  It was before my time, I'm sure.

Here is that cylinder with the (pictures) left side showing .375 RB and the right side showing .375 RB.  I have marked the three large bores with an "O", for quick reloading.

The cylinder does not have those safety pins between nipples for a safe position.

The barrel before the metal removal modification.












Current parts:














The left over parts:

Brasser frame has had a soldered on steel washer added to partly eliminate cylinder/brass-frame smashing.














All Parts:




















Results:


















Range Report:

Apr/29/2016:

During shooting, the existing barrel wedge loosened up enough so that I had to stop as the cylinder gap was too much.  Several times the loading lever would drop down further aggravating the shooter.

After cleaning said revolver, a new wedge was made.  Longer and wider.  Started with a piece of 2 inch web angle iron (steel).   For thinning, several hack-saw cuts were made then HF files went to work to smooth the wedge.

The barrel notch on the left side was moved forward.

Here for comparison are the two wedges.











Notice how beat up the one on the right is, the original one.  New one is on the left.  No spring or screw groove, yet.















New wedge installed.  Only thumb tight, no more.  No hammering here.











Top view of new wedge.  Plenty of length left for tightening said wedge. 
The portion sticking out of the right side can now be shortened, for looks only.  More gun blueing will be added as soon as the shooter can get to the appropriate store.



Holster:
http://idezilla.blogspot.com/2016/07/holster-for-that-spescodgg-revolver.html

IdeZilla

Comments Welcomed.