Dragoon Revolver in 45-70 by Firearm Specialties

B

bprevolver

New member
I have just purchased a replica 1860 Army percussion revolver made by Firearm Specialties in Fulton, MI. They made a Dragoon also which was chambered for 45-70 cartridges and the 1860 Army percussion revolver. These were made in the early 1960's. Has anyone ever heard of this company? My 1860 is marked "Firearm Specialties". Interesting also is that the barrel wedge is fitted from right side instead of the left side. This was probably to easily distinguish it from an original since there was a big scare in the early 1960's about converting replicas to pass as originals. L. A. Jensen of Lake City, FL., the very first replica percussion revolver to be manufactured, made his Spiller & Burr reproduction in .44cal. for the same reason.

Would very much appreciate any information anyone may have about this firearm. I do not even know the name of the person who made these, just a company name.
 
I hate to post this reply, I do not have any proof to back up what I'm saying, but here go's. Yes I've seen them in two different gun store's. Bronze frame, massive cylinder, very long. At first look it looks like a over grown Colt, but it is just huge. I've looked in many of the old Gun Digest's and can not find anything yet. I'll keep looking though. I thinl at one time they were sold as the worlds most powerful six gun.
 
45-70 Dragoon

Thanks jaguar xk120. I was told that the company Firearm Specialties that made this monster also produced an 1860 Army. If you run across anything to do with this company I would appreciate it very much. Company was located in Fulton, MI.
 
Firearms Specialties 1860 Army

The 1860 Army is a .44cal. pecussion. I only mentioned the Dragoon because I knew it would draw some attention, especially being somewhat out of place on the forum. I am seeking information about the company.
 
How hard would it be to convert a Walker to 45-70? I'm in manufacturing could you just drill and mill the BP cylinder?
 
I've got a NEF 45-70 rifle...it gives a good kick...cant imagine a 45-70 revolver
Click to expand...

I would shoot one of those ... with somebody else's hands.
Click to expand...

Besides weighing the best part of what a rifle does, you lose enough out of the shorter barrel and cylinder gap that it's not all that bad.

How hard would it be to convert a Walker to 45-70? I'm in manufacturing could you just drill and mill the BP cylinder?
Click to expand...
Here're a couple of pics showing a Century Mfg .45-70 sixgun (which is what I'm thinking Jaguarxk120 was referring to in his post in the thread...) next to a repro Walker for scale (just ignore that newfangled bottomfeeder in the one pic):
MVC-016F.jpg


MVC-018F.jpg


Looks like just a mite bit o' difference in cylinder size...
 
Heres Those Pics
 

Attachments

  • CIMG0100.JPG
    CIMG0100.JPG
    193.1 KB · Views: 197
  • CIMG0090.jpg
    CIMG0090.jpg
    135.7 KB · Views: 159
  • CIMG0099.JPG
    CIMG0099.JPG
    184.9 KB · Views: 160
I thought that a shorter barrel rifle kicked harder, the handi rifle has a 22" barrel, i think it has a harder kick than the 32" version. Just wondering
 
Make sure you pay attention if you live in Michigan. Once a bp pistol is converted it has to be registered. Now I don't know how that works with conversion cylinders...I'm curious, since you're not actually doing anything to the revolver itself.
 
Federal Law mandates that if you perminately change/modify any Replica/original C&B ... ect. it is illegal to sell said Revolver. But does not say under Federal Law that you must register it ... that would include grinding out the right side of the frame to rear load a Konvertor such as a Kirst gated or not... and thats my limited education on it.
 
Well, not exactly.

You can do all the modification you wish to a percussion revolver (keeping in mind automatic weapons restrictions), permanent or otherwise, and still sell it with no penalty as long as it does not use modern cartridge ammunition. You can shorten or lengthen the barrel, reshape the grip frame, change the hammer, install a plunger in place of the hand and many other modifications including modification of the frame for a loading gate.

If, however, you modify the gun to shoot modern cartridge ammunition (eg, installing a cartridge conversion cylinder), then you cannot sell the gun with that modification installed without a federal excise tax license. You may, however, remove the modification, sell the gun as a percussion revolver and then sell the modification separately without the tax license.
 
I have a huge Firearms Specialties gun too

Did you ever find out anymore? My father gave it to me when I was a kid.

Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0448.jpg
    IMG_0448.jpg
    112.5 KB · Views: 126
I have all the info you need. Do you want to sell it??? Name your price! My grandfather was the producer of these monster 45/70 pistols. He started making them out of his garage in Fulton MI in the 1960's. everyone is hand made. Theres not may out there, I could get a exact number from my uncle. My uncle helped make then and proof shot most of them. He was 6 when he proof tested his first one. Somewhere out there, there is a left handed one. Its one of one. he made a matched pair of a guy and both have a high polish. I would like to own one of these because it is a huge part of my families history. So if you would like to sell it email me at hghrdnhck@aol.com
 
Federal Law mandates that if you perminately change/modify any Replica/original C&B ... ect. it is illegal to sell said Revolver
Click to expand...

I sincerely doubt the correctness of that statement.
Can you verify by stating the law/reg?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top