Shooting an antique Colt 1860 Army Revolver Part 1
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2024
- This is the first episode of a two-part series on shooting an original Colt 1860 revolver, made in 1864.
I ran into some challenges, but with some work done by Lodgewood Mfg, and some home gunsmithing, I got the old Colt up and running again.
CapandBall
capandball.com/
Lodgewood Mfg
www.lodgewood.com/
Mike Beliveau links
/ duelist
mikebeliveau.com/ - Sport
That Colt looks like it was made yesterday!🇺🇸🤔
I love these old Colts A friend of mine back in the 60's and early 70's had an original 1860 Army that was his granddads in beautiful condition. Boyd was in his late 70's back then his granddad was in the 21st Ohio infantry. Boyd was a good old boy for a Yankee and i got to fire his 1860 Army. I left for the Army in 71 and only saw Boyd one more time in the mid 70's when i was an Army Recruiter before he past a 88. Great video Mike.
My wife overheard your reaction on that second shot and said, " he sounded pretty calm for a chain fire".
Mike that was a great presentation. Always enjoy your channel. Thanks
Your wife sounds like a keeper!
Love it . I too have a Original 1860 Army . And I also shoot mine with my hand rolled cartridges. I just loged on and bought two cartridge 44 boxes from cap and ball myself.
Love his chanel too .
Thanks Mike 👊
1:00
“...there are replicas for that...”
To that I say, that’s your own personal property. Do what you want, it’s yours. No man shall tell another what he can or can’t do with his own property
That's why I own an Umberti 44-40 black powder pistol exactly like this.
Ya gotta let the old girl sing every now and again
@Serapis Christos someone doesn't like being told what to do? They must be racist!!!
What a weak mindset
@@keithlucas6260 The .44-40 didn't exist until the 1870s though. And the modern ubertis in .44-40 can handle smokeless loads(although you can still use black powder if you want).
@@redtra236
I'm already aware of that, thanks
I love my black powder pistol.
A replica will always be a "replica". Thank you for sharing the firing of a real piece of history.
It’s cool seeing original iron work
When you shot that first pistol I said "Man, that was a stout load! And so was the second". Glad you are safe and I hope your pistol is undamaged as well.
Now I will be on tenterhooks awaiting part II. (edited for spelling)
Man what a find. I would love to find a deal like that. Enjoy the old girl and shoot on.
As soon as you said 'original' I said 'oh my goodness'!
Since my new-found love for black powder guns I am really looking forward to my next visit to Gettysburg Battlefield & Museum here in PA.
Thanks for your posts!
It's so awesome to see an original piece of history like that in action. Thanks so much for sharing that mate!
"To protect themselves from claim jumpers and other brands of idiots." I like that quote. This is probably why Colonel Colt called his 1873 ,45 revolver "The Peacemaker."
He didn't call it that, he died over a decade earlier
What an interesting and exciting video to watch! Mike, thank you for the time and effort to make it. I can't wait to see next week's installment!
Great to see some friendship between two of my favorite BP CZcams channels. Keep up the good work!
When you jumped ,I almost shyte myself. . Whoo! In other words. I almost "PART 2" EARLY!
I really love the history and explanation for everything from shooting to replicas because I never held a gun in my life but im planning on writing a story set in 1870s. All I wanna say is thank you for being a cool guy and help me learning about guns
Lodgewood is AWESOME. They repaired my original M1842 Aston single shot pistol and a few years later, my Parker Hale repro Enfield musketoon. Great folks!
I really like both of your guys videos. The other guy is cool because of his awesome accent. I do agree with you about shooting the old guns. Cars were made to be driven, not abused, but driven. The same with guns. I actually just bought my first black powder revolver. I bought a griswold from emf. I have always wanted to try this type of shooting, and watching your videos has only made it worse. Now I want a 1851, and a 49.
The 1860 Colt - my first love. As an 8year old I saw it in "How the west was won" in the hands of "Luke Macahan". The most beautiful handgun so far. How they managed to make it sleek, still a powerful 44... well, it is good design indeed.
My favorite tv show as well
It's in .36
@@acanuck4life Please look at 8:39 .
@@acanuck4life I don't think they even made the 1860 Colt in .36
I have an old 12 ga single shot. My dad got it used when he was 14, gave it to me when I turned 14 and is still my go to shotgun at 64 yrs. My son also loves it. Well built and meant to be used.
oh wow, that chain fire. I'm glad no injuries. Looking forward to finding out more in part 2. I'm new to these and your channel is a great find for me. thanks
Thank you so much for making this video, I'm currently looking at an 1860 I'm considering purchasing and your video and some book work is a great help!
Wow! That Original Colt looks fantastic! Respect to the master gunsmith.
Cap and Ball has some amazing videos on old Cold War guns. I found his PPSH-41 video after your Makarov video way back when.
What an absolute beauty. Nice to see these old pistols getting the love they so rightly deserve. One day I hope to get an original, however I have a good selection of COPIES of Colt’s early work, from the Patterson through Dragoon, to the 51,60,61 and several 62 police. Enjoy the history and shooting of these 19th century works of art . Have learned a lot from your videos and articles. Keep on putting out the great content please.
Beautiful, enjoy shooting it. Thank you for sharing, made my day.
Mike, in '64, a shooting friend and I used to fire his great-grandfather's 1851 Navy. We were in high school and didn't know a ton about gunsmithing. We had a chain fire and didn't know what is was. We stopped shooting it because we thought it might have a cracked cylinder. Thank you.
Fantastic piece of history
Blown away by the provenance... no pun intended. So great you rescued this piece.
I’m really impressed you saw fit to invest in restoring and giving new life to a great piece of history. Good on you. (I did the same thing for a beautiful early-19th century cello, which set me back more than I’m willing to admit, but it’s worth it; forty years later I’m still playing on it and it sounds better than ever.)
Great video. Thank you Mike.
My Pietta 1860 Colt Army replica is still in great condition, purchased from EMF in early 1980's and by now ... haven't fired it in 30 years. No Rust, great looking. I should shoot it sometime. This replica I have is made to accept cartridges, with plenty of space just behind the ramrod.
Thank you sir can't wait for the second round great looking revolver and it sounds very interesting as they say if the walls could talk have a great weekend sir
Sweet video. Beautiful pistol.
Glad to see a shooting vid Mike!
wow, very happy i found this video with the original Colt, mine was manufactured in 1862, i just love making my paper cartridges and shooting it every month or so,,,,,,,,,,,, love the powder & smoke smells, thanks for showing and telling the history, cheers,,
I know this is an older video but I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your stories and history lessons. I’ve got my eye on an 1860 army so thanks fir being my teacher.
The 1860 is IMHO the best looking firearm ever made. I shoot my 1860 often and with good effect.
Mike, this was an exceptioally enjoyable video. Thanks!
What? Not better then your channel. You have the best channel Mike.
That chain fire caught me off guard lol. That reminded me of the chain fire I had in my double barrel caplock 12 gauge. One barrel misfired and the second shot set off both. 160 grains of fffg isnt very fun on the shoulder.
Very nice looking colt sir!!!
I warmly welcome. My name is Adam and I'm from Poland. I really enjoy watching your movies. In 1863 an uprising broke out against the partitioners in Poland. If we had such colts then I think that the Russians would get tengie spanked. Very great respect. Adam from Poland.
i think you are right with back story of the pistol. how many kids grand kids took the pistol out of the sock drawer or barn and shot them when no one was home and they never got cleaned.
Great video. I like to see those old weapons being used. I have an original Colt Navy made in 1862. Some of those old guns really held up well. Mine has much of the finish remaining.
Awsome revolver
Excellent video Mike , I really like your 1861 army and if I owned one I’m in the same frame of mind as you , it was meant to be shot not looked at in a case . Update on us poor shooters in the Uk , one of the three clubs I am a member of has been given the go ahead by the government to re open after the lockdown caused by the pandemic . I have some .36 cartridges made up by capandball jig stored in my capandball period nearly correct boxes burning a hole in my pocket since lockdown ready for the range next week . I can’t wait . Keep the videos coming please and thank you . Keep the faith and stay safe .
Very interesting neat hun and history of that particular revolver
Mike i totally agree! Guns were meant to be used and thats what they were designed to do! Obviously some exceptions exist but i shoot 99% of my antiques. Keep up the great work!
THANK YOU! GOD, I cannot tell you how many times I've had to explain to people, guns are made to be SHOT! You do an immense disservice to a gun by making it a permanent museum piece in your safe. It's like owning a car you never drive, a watch you never wear, or a tool you never use. If you aren't going to shoot it, don't buy it. Museums have their pieces already.
Well there we go paper cartridges still do chain fire
I have a model 1894 Winchester that was made in 1896. I shoot it a lot. It is one of my favorite guns. Like you said; If it is in good shape, shoot it. That's what they were made for.
Great video as always.
Also a fan of cap and ball channel. Hoping the chain fire didn't damage anything. Eagerly awaiting part2
Nice looking pistol
I agree, it's fine to shoot antique guns as long as they are mechanically sound. i shot an original civil war burnside cavalry carbine a month ago, and it i was putting lead downrange like it did 160 years ago, and it was thoroughly cleaned afterwards.
I love shooting the old guns! So long as you do the maintenance, they should be used. I shoot my grandfather’s Remington Rand 1911. I shoot my antique drilling. Nothing lasts forever.
What a lovely piece, I hope one day I can get an original colt.
I am enjoy seeing ya get tickled with stuff. Keep it up, I have one of your shirts and a coffee mug now.
Sir you are very humble. I'm happy you didn't boast or talk down on the seller for asking too much for the gun. I would have chuckled a bit when I saw them come down to my price.
Thanks for taking the time to make the video.it was great.im looking foreword to part 2..there's always something special about shooting the originals.thats just not there with the replicas....just my own personal fears/worries kinda always had me uneasy with the design of no top strap on such a powerful pistol. I know it's just fine.but it's always in the back of my mind.im much more at ease mentally with a Remington
Nice shooter
1928 desoto driver here. Never thought I should park it up and not drive it. Piece of history or not.
She looks to be in outstanding condition that's got to be like hopping into a time machine. I'm looking forward to rendezvous on a side note. in regards to the people saying not to shoot this revolver if anyone can load and operate it correctly it's you and I can think of no better way to honor the item and those who owned it previously it's a testament to craftsmanship.
Great vidéo ! Greetings from France 🇨🇵
When treated with the dignity and respect they earned and deserve, I don't have any problem with occasionally putting lead through a mechanically sound original. Shooting such a living example of history imparts a sense of fulfillment that can't be had from something manufactured the day before yesterday in another country, regardless of how true to design it is.
When I was young, I bought a used Ruger 3-Screw revolver in .357 magnum. I checked it out and it seemed to have a light trigger, but then so did my old flat-top .44, so I didn't think anything of it. Loaded it up at the range and cocked the gun at low ready. It went off about two seconds later, still at low ready. I emptied the gun and sent it off to Ruger for the transfer-bar safety conversion.
I don't shoot Black Powder, but a chain fire sounds terrifying.
good video
Nice example Mike 👍
I have a Pietta '51 Navy and a Uberti Case colored Remington with a Howell's .45 Colt conversion cylinder. Now I'm wanting another 1860 Army. I had a Pietta some time ago, also had a Rogers & Spencer from Dixie Gun Works. I always wanted a Starr DA but they're getting expensive.
I would not expect a chainfire with paper cardridges
Good for you shoot it! I cut my cap and ball teeth many years ago on an original Colt 1851 Navy from a cased set. I shot it with corrosive caps which ,was what we had at the time, Du Pont FFFg powder, and balls cast in the miserable little steel mold that was in the cased set. It was cleaned after shooting very carefully and it was not hurt at all. I wish I still had it.
It looks like the frame and back strap are cut for a shoulder stock, but there is no fame stud for one. i
I may be wrong but don't Pietta cylinders interchange with Colt originals? That would make one less part to stress during firing. Just an idea... Like you I bought an 1860 army that saw years of intense service (mine cost a thousand bucks) and had an earlier barrel (1860) in front of a 1862 frame. For now, I'm waiting for some vacations to go shoot the ol' gal. Loved your video and can't wait for part 2!
Diaries of the period suggest most revolver owners of the pre-cartridge period carried a powder flask, and leather bag of bullets and metal tin of primers. People back then gladly saved a penny for a little extra work. So no, they did not buy pre-made cartridges. That was considered a waste of money. Many gun owners continued to shoot cap and ball long after cartridge guns came to town because they didn't trust the cartridges, and they were so much more expensive.
cool gun , thanks for showing us, i also think , if its is in good condition , it should be used.
Great looking Colt! That’s pretty cool that there is no shoulder stock studs, I think they’re a pain on my Uberti 1860.
What a coincidence. I was just think about writing to you earlier today about asking you if anyone had captured a chain fire on video and if it damages the gun. I will be watching for part 2 so I can hear your breakdown of what happened.
Nice gun. I did think that first shot was bit warm from the recoil. I figured a chain fire.
Who's the one jerk that disliked this awesome video?
I thought that first shot looked a little ‘lively’, hope no damage resulted; looking forward to part 2 to find out what caused it. Thanks for sharing with us.
mike i wanted you to know you have helped get me into shooting black powder revolvers, even if they are as much a pain in the ass to legally own here in canada as any other modern handgun
That's lame. You cannuks should start making luty SMGs in protest. Teach your government that gun control is impossible and doesnt work
It's in nice shape. Yeah, I shoot my originals too. What good are they if they aren't used?
Awesome
I believe I saw a bit of the paper get pinched between the bullet & the cylinder bore on the last load.
Great video! cool gun ! I think the first shot was the chain fire, and the second shot was a single chamber...
Cap and Ball is a good black powder channel but he has also mentioned you and your channel as well.....
Great story and a great firearm! I hope to own one of these someday. For now, I just have the Pietta version. I'm curious - how did you know it was a chain fire?
Did the caps blow back against the shield and go off causing the chain fire?
A clean, properly maintained, well lubricated black powder revolver essentially does not wear if used. Theoretically it will wear slightly, but the wear would be completely unmeasurable.
Not too shabby for a 156 year old gun with an even older barrel.
Those conicals looked like they flew in the chamber when you used the ram. I would have suspect the fit between and chamber to be a lot tighter!
That was a nice bit of deductive reasoning, Mike. Might I draw your attention to the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.
Wish I could shoot them well, but my hands are too big, very cool gun!
ok mike when are you shooting that again cause im coming to the house we gonna have some fun. lol but seriously WOW that is gorgeous
Hi
Do I still need a wad or do I need to lube the cylinder
Or I can shoot the bullets with out lube
Hi Mike, could you recommend a 1860 Army repro. I could purchase. I would eventually like to put it into a case with the bullet mold and flask. Looking for best quality available. Thanks. Al
The tool that hold the lever comes off when I shoot it. I’ve punched in place but I really would love to solder it. Would you know someone who can help with that, Mike. Or how can I fix that?
Looked like you had some trouble with the cylinder lining up.
Looked like the first shot was the one which caused the chainfire, right?
I know getting a Luger magazine number to match the rest of the gun with Swiss stamps was no problem back when.
I was having a discussion with a friend I met in hunt showdown. An it revolved around realoding the gun during a fire fight. He said a cap & ball gun couldn't be reloaded on the battlefield. Same with paper cartridges. I feel that its possible just harder then it is today. Maybe the caps would be the more complicated part.
In general, for the infantry, revolvers were a last ditch weapon, used when the fighting was close, fast and furious. There wasn't time to reload anything. In the cavalry, where revolvers were often the primary weapon, troopers carried several, often four to six fully loaded revolvers.So combat reloads were not the norm...but they did happen. Paper cartridges made the process much faster, but, you're right, capping was the slowest part of the operation.