New Model Navy Identification
New Model Navy Identification
Hi All, I'm a new RSA member and I am looking for some information on my 1858 New Model Navy. I recently found this one in a estate project I was working on. It has a serial number of 31636 and has all the marking with the exception of the grip cartouche. Is my NMN a replacement for the last shipment that was defective or a civilian model? My understanding from Donald L. Ware's book is that the last military issued serial number he has recorded is 31599. I guess in short, is mine a military issue? I would really appreciate any help I can get.
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- Frame SN.JPG (482.6 KiB) Viewed 3835 times
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Re: New Model Navy Identification
Hello and welcome,
If you have Ware's book, you have as much info as any of us can give you. Your pistol has the single letter inspector's marks, so it is most probably a US contract gun. No cartouche can mean anyone of several things. First, the grips have been replaced. Second, the gun was assembled from inspected parts, but not needed for a contract, so the grips didn't get the final inspection cartouche. You can just about make up a story, or invite your friends to make up a story.
From your photos, it looks like the bbl is in worse condition that the frame and cylinder. Again, there are many reasons for this, so no sense in endless speculation.
Enjoy your pistol,
Daniel
If you have Ware's book, you have as much info as any of us can give you. Your pistol has the single letter inspector's marks, so it is most probably a US contract gun. No cartouche can mean anyone of several things. First, the grips have been replaced. Second, the gun was assembled from inspected parts, but not needed for a contract, so the grips didn't get the final inspection cartouche. You can just about make up a story, or invite your friends to make up a story.
From your photos, it looks like the bbl is in worse condition that the frame and cylinder. Again, there are many reasons for this, so no sense in endless speculation.
Enjoy your pistol,
Daniel
Re: New Model Navy Identification
Thanks Daniel for your response. I really appreciate the input.
Thanks,
Frank
Thanks,
Frank
Re: New Model Navy Identification
Also, in many cases, the grip cartouche is simply worn out.