When do you NOT shoot a percussion revolver?

[Aragorn243]

Thanks Mike, I'll pass the info along. Kind of what I figured but I had hopes. Now I guess the question is: Is this strictly a shooter grade that fixing the arbor would not devalue it or should it simply be left as is? I guess a follow up would be is the cost of fixing the arbor worth the effort?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Is this strictly a shooter grade that fixing the arbor would not devalue it or should it simply be left as is?

The gun has no original finish left, but pitting all over.
The cylinder is so beaten up that I am not sure that it is the original one (damage does not match frame). That would be at least a partial explanation for the poor fit.

Rather a shooter grade IMOH.

But for that, the arbor must be fixed. Loose threads can be tightened up by very careful crushing in a 3-jaw chuck to spread the metal. If the length is incorrect, then it can be corrected on a small, precise lathe, turning a gnat's whisker off the shoulder of the threaded portion or turning up a spacer as required. However, this is a precision fitting job, so it is probably uneconomic unless you have the equipment to do it yourself.

[A. F Medic]

What is an arbor? I cannot visualize it.

[Aragorn243]

The arbor is the round "post" that the cylinder revolves around. In the case of this Navy revolver, the arbor is slightly loose. It will not come out but it allows for a very slight movement if you hold the revolvers butt and the barrel and "move" it. I don't think it affects the cylinder gap, that looks fine. It doesn't affect the cylinder lining up with the barrel as they move as one.

From what I can gather, the arbor is screwed into the frame and then pinned. It can't rotate and can't be pulled out. It holds the barrel assembly in place as the wedge fits through a slot in it.

The cylinder moves from side to side about 5 times more than what the arbor moves. This revolver saw some extensive use.

[A. F Medic]

Thanks for the clear explanation. I never knew it was called that and I have seen them many times...

[gew8805]

To answer the original question - "When do you NOT shoot a percussion revolver?", I say why bother? Even in less than functional condition, originals are more expensive than good to even excellent condition reproductions. I don't bother firing originals, including the original M1860 revolver I purchased for $75 back in the early 1980s. $75 was exactly what the high quality Navy Arms revolvers were selling for then but the original still hasn't been fired, no reason to. I have turned down offers of over $1,000 for it in the last few years, don't really need to sell it anyway. That is a lot more than the cost of a new condition, top quality reproduction.

Besides, I never really cared for shooting revolvers anyway.....

[Aragorn243]

I understand that position but I'm more along the line of thinking of if it can't be fired, not much point in owning it. That being said, I don't shoot things very often. I have a lot of rifles that I've never fired just because I never got around to it. But I know they CAN be fired and that's the difference I guess.

This particular piece has historical significance that would interest me in owning it even if it can't be shot. Even though it is not a military piece, odds are it was used during the Civil War as a privately owned side arm and that is what the word of mouth down the generations that it is. My friend decided to give this piece to me. He has known of my interest in historical pieces for several years having attended a few of my presentations. It actually belonged to his wife and they have no one to leave it to that would appreciate it, most likely being sold as soon as it left their hands. Her words to me were "I want it to have a good home". I am very grateful to them for the gift as I know I could probably never own one of these otherwise.

I think after going over it carefully, that it could be safely fired, especially with lighter loads but it isn't something I'd want to make a habit of because it will only wear further. Whether I actually make the attempt or not is still up for debate. I'd rather the "good home" didn't blow up Great Grandfather's pistol.

[gew8805]

That is a first rate way of looking at it.

And good to know that good friends found a good recipient they can trust for something that they appreciate.