Metal for blackpowder revolver

[rmatel]

Hi,
I have a BP 44 cal. 1858 New Army replica revolver and would like to try my hand at making spare cylinder(s). What steel should I use? Any other suggestions?
Bob

[Thrud]

Bob,

You animal, you! You know of course getting the timing right is going to drive you nuts, don't you? Well good luck anyway.

I would think 4130 (tough, low hardness) or 4140 (medium tough, higher hardness). I have used the 4130 in black powder cannons & mortars. Check to see if it will blue the way that you want it first.

If could check on the NRA bbs for a better answer - IMHO

Dave

[rmatel]

Dave,
Thanx for the advice. I was hoping that if I duplicated the original I'd be close on the timing. Fortunately it's not a defensive piece ;-)
Bob

[Thrud]

Bob;

I would still check the NRA boards for the proper material to use, I suspect the 4130 would be a good choice. You could contact Colt or the replica maker and just ask them what type of steel they used - tell them you are just curious about it...

If you take your time you should be able to get it pretty well dead on if you use a dividing head or a rotary table. Maybe a fixture to locate the first cylinder chamber while set up in the mill and then put the "hand rolled" cylinder in, locate the first chamber with the simple jig and go for it.

That is a pretty tough project to tackle. Mind you, they did make nice ones in the old days with crapy tools and materials - good craftsmen made all the difference.

You are a braver man than me, Gonga Din!

Dave

[bdarin]

Hey, lemme know how this turns out. I've got an old Navy Colt replica that's pretty old and could use a little work someday. If you succeed with yours then mebbey I'll give it a shot (NPI).

[Thrud]

Bdarin,

Just another mindless sheep following the herd? Go for it man! Be a mover, a shaker, a cylinder maker! It is a tough project, and my hat goes off to anyone with the testacular fortitude to even attempt it. (Ladies included , of course!)

Would be a good learning experience for you too. At least that way you would not have the time to "fire" off those gun related puns. Punned down in his prime, he was.

Dave ;-)

[rmatel]

I did some measuring of the original and found Dave to be correct.
Not only is there a situation with the timing but the nipple holes, both the threaded portion and the counterbores are 10 deg off axis. The center axis hole is 7 mm, and of course the rear "face" has a radius not a chamfer.
Since I don't yet have a rotary or divider, this project will be on hold for awhile so don't get excited yet, bdarin ;-)

[bdarin]

I'll get to it just as soon as I finish the GATTLING GUN I'm making.

[Thrud]

I sure hope you are going full scale with .45-70 Government on that rotary bullet dispenser!

We cannot get full auto in Canada - because we were having too much fun. It is ok though, they raised our taxes instead!

If I made a gattling gun here the damn thing would bear a striking resemblance to a ceiling fan and only shoot the breeze...

Dave ;-)

[Thrud]

Bob,

You can buy metric drills, and a dividing head can be tilted off axis to bore and tap the nipple holes. Easier than doing your own taxes - and far more fun too! Just haunt some sales and maybe even eBay for a bargain and you're cooking, man!

Dave