Gents,
I did get my parts from DGW, and many will fit, from my above post.
However, I just got done rolling through another gunshow. Low and behold as I was heading for the door, I noticed another "steel frame" parts pistol. I almost instantly recognized it for what it was... another 1861 Eli Whitney repop. This one had a finished grip, a hammer spring, a trigger and trigger spring. Along with a barrel. What is different about this one, is that it is a "Richland Arms Co." pistol as compared to "Dixie Gun Works" version. The Richland Arms has much better fit and finish on all existing components. However, it has more abuse and rust. Combining the two together, I get this:
I also noticed that the barrel is LONGER on the Dixie Gun Works version!
When I opened up the Richland, I found that the lock and trigger spring was broken. I though that I had purchased a spare, but unfortunately I did not!
My timing was off by a substancial margin. Cleaning up the advance mechanism was a snap!
Filing of this advancing mechanism brought all my chambers into alignment. Left to do is get my cylinder stop spring in place.
My big beef as of right now, is the missing cross pin/ mechanism/ bolt. Any words of wisdom on this part?
Here are some random shot of the Eli Whitney as a Richland Arms frame.
As I get smarter, and find more parts for these Eli Whitneys, I will dress out the second frame. I am curious on laws for making this into a carbine and or going centerfire...
Hope you folks enjoyed the progress and the photos. As was mentioned, the Eli Whitney is relatively obscure, and a little more rare than the Navy and Army repops. To run across 2 in close gunshows demonstrates that either I got lucky, or they aren't that rare!