converting the Italian Colt cap & ball to cartridge revolvers

[pocketshaver]

never specified smokeless or black powder only.

and considering that the proof house would in theory test to the same strength. smokeless loads ARE supposed to stay in the safe range for the original laodings particularly in 32 and 38...

[tiriaq]

The Italian percussion proof loads would be black powder - that is all that is used in these percussion guns. As remanufactured to use cartridges, pressures should be kept at or below that level, as far as the cylinder and barrel are concerned. One additional factor with the cartridge conversions, that doesn't exist in the cap guns is backthrust against the breech face.
Anyone shooting a cartridge conversion isn't going to be hotrodding it, and there are smokeless loads that produce pressures well within the design limits of the guns.

[RCS]

I use Unique smokeless for indoor shooting and black powder for outdoor shooting. The 38 S&W case with Unique powder and a deep hollow base bullet of 358 diameter works out well in the 36 cal barrel. There is no requirement for "hot" loads just pleasant accurate loads

[breakeyp]

Pietta replica with BP proof markings. Barrel says .36 caliber. No markings, proofs to indicate it chambers .38 S&W cartridges. I don't know if its factory or someone else did the work. Any way its neat.

[browningautorifle]

Very neat...

[RCS]

In the "old days" I don't think the Colt Patterson would have been selected for a cartridge conversion - but it is possible. Looks neat on the reproduction. Note the ejector rod housing is from a Colt 1851 as the slot for the wedge is not in alignment same for the recoil plate and loading gate. Looks like who ever performed the conversion did the cylinder just like the originals. turn down the rear to fit the recoil plate and chamber each cylinder. Hollow base 38 S&W lead bullets will work very nice.

I just fired my Uberti Colt 1851 that I had converted to 38 S&W and the hollow base lead bullets worked out very well at some 20 feet using a rest

[tiriaq]

That is an ambitious conversion. One of my books shows a modern Paterson conversion - real custom work.

I wanted a barrel with a true .357 groove diameter for my project. Took a '51 .44 barrel that bubba had messed up, and bored out the rear portion, cutting the barrel off flush. Sleeved a .357 barrel into this breech section. Haven't mounted a front sight yet, but it is ready for test firing.

[tiriaq]

Checked the reference to the Paterson conversion. It was done in Texas, and is in a museum in Oklahoma. Two reproductions of it have been made by RL Millington. Don't think the one pictured above is one of these, though. The original and the Millington repros have the grip frame with the flares at the front and rear.