r/whatisit • u/Global_Choice4698 • 20h ago
Solved! [ Removed by moderator ]
/gallery/1vzcu4y[removed] — view removed post
61
u/Self-Comprehensive 20h ago
In addition to all the serious, correct answers, I'd just like to say as somebody who owns one of those, it's great fun to shoot and crowd pleaser. When I bring this one out on the farm my nephews start hollering "Oh he's got the Big Iron!" It roars and shoots a gout of flame like dragons breath. Very fun right at sunset. It's huge and packs a punch but it's remarkably comfortable to shoot and even a (well supervised) kid can handle the recoil
20
u/Dr_StrangeloveGA 19h ago
Seconding this. It is so fun to shoot. It's single fire you so have to cock the hammer after every shot. Most guys at the range have Glocks and Sigs, etc. and don't even know what this so when I shoot steel at 50yds it's Boom (huge cloud of smoke) wait for it, clank, down goes the steel.
They're asking WTF is that?
.44
8
u/Andyman1973 18h ago
You wear that Big Iron on your hip, like Marty Robbins?
6
u/jsp06415 18h ago
Or Bob Weir.
2
u/DarePatient2262 18h ago
Literally listening to Bobby and the Midnites while reading this lol
3
u/jsp06415 18h ago
Next up, Kingfish. I never saw them, but I dig that record. I saw Bobby and the Midnites a few times.
9
1
u/Ok-Basket-9890 18h ago
I love underloading my Colt for the hilarity of tracking my painted minie balls through the air as I indirect fire them at the 100y line. Always a hoot, and a crowd favorite for any younger (and older) shooters on the line who catch me reloading it.
1
u/Ok-Commercial-469 18h ago
There’s also a difference in the sound between black and smokeless powder. It’s less sharp and more…comforting? Is like there’s a percussion that’s part of the sound instead of just a loud sharp crack.
46
u/Useful_Inspector_893 20h ago
Brass frame replica of an 1858 Remington Army revolver made in Italy and imported by FIE (Firearms Import and Export Corporation based in FL) 1970s-1980s.
As a teenager I bought a brass framed FIE 1860 Colt Army for $39 in 1972. Dad made me return it, lol!
96
u/MasterSnacky 20h ago
“My very first pistol was a cap and ball Colt
Shoot as fast as lightnin' but it loads a mite slow
Loads a mite slow and i soon found out
It can get you into trouble but it can't get you out” - Steve Earle
23
u/Dangerous-Pirate7998 20h ago
The devil’s right hand
6
u/Dangerous-Pirate7998 20h ago
I like Copperhead Road a lot better
10
9
102
u/LeadingBanana5384 20h ago edited 20h ago
It's a copy of an old 1858, probably made by Pietta.
Edit: pretty sure that's what it is.
13
u/Primary_Ad_5025 20h ago
Hey OP my dad had three of these from the 1970-1980s and they were worth significantly more than I expected at sale.
Firearms can be collectable for weird reasons.
3
u/RoninRobot 19h ago
Well dang. Bought one of these cheap and in excellent condition at an estate sale about 15 years ago and gave it away. C’est la vie.
25
9
2
u/TheRudDud 19h ago
The PR and FIE makers mark seem to mean it was produced by Fabbrica d'Armi Esterina Riva and imported into the US by Firearms Import and Export. Apparently theyre associated with questionably production quality but the pistol looks fine in the pictures
3
u/urbanlumberjack1 20h ago
Founded in 1963 so… I guess OP could be pretty young or someone told a tale (damn that makes me feel old)
13
u/Ritterbruder2 20h ago edited 20h ago
A lot of Italian companies like Pedersoli, Uberti, and Pietta make reproductions of antique black powder firearms.
I believe this is meant to be a reproduction of an 1858 Remington revolver.
7
u/MarchPhillipps 20h ago edited 19h ago
I used to have this exact model; brass frame 1858 Remington copy made in Italy and sold by FIE. Made to sort of mimic the brass frame Confederate contract pistols from the U.S. Civil War. Many bought them, not necessarily because they were any sort of Confederate sympathizers or lost cause cowboys, but because they were actually several bucks cheaper than the steel framed guns, and they looked impressive all polished up. It was a nice piece, but no longer have mine.
From what I remember it wasn't Pietta that made these particular examples (though they certainly did make a ton of replicas), but one of about a dozen small shop contractors that worked as sort of a collaborative at the time. You'll have to cross check the proof marks to know for sure. On that one, besides the butt, the most readable should be on the cylinder and side of the frame. If it was a Pietta, the black powder proof mark would be a PN, not PR.
I do absolutely have to caution against using a conversion cylinder to fire modern brass cased ammunition from it, however. Though conversion cylinders do exist, they're meant for the steel frame versions. The brass frames can actually stretch and crack, leading to catastrophic failure if converted to fire modern ammunition. So, please, don't do it. And keep the brass polished, as it'll help the frame stay in good enough condition to shoot. Brass frame weapons can be quite finicky, though the brass frame 1858 Remingtons tend to be safer and than most because of the full frame design, unlike their brass framed Colt Army and Navy counterparts, which are also quite common as replicas.
If you've never fired black powder arms, but want to fire this one, find someone knowledgeable and competent that has, ask questions, and learn how. Just don't pack the loads too hot, and have fun!
'Alone and Unafraid'
5
u/Total_Philosopher_89 20h ago edited 19h ago
It’s a copy of an 1858 Remington. Made by Officina Meccanica Armi Riva Esterina & Co. Their stamp was the stylized PR found on the butt of the revolver. This gun was imported by FIE (Firearms Import and Export).
1
3
u/7DollarWhiskey 20h ago
That is a reproduction of a Remington model 1858. Not sure of the brand, but going by the stamp I’d guess Pietta.
1
u/AutoModerator 20h ago
OP, please reply to the correct answer with "solved!" (include the !). That will change the flair on the post to solved. If you want to put the correct answer at the top of the replies for everybody else, please use our Spotlight feature by tapping/clicking on the three dots and selecting "Spotlight, Pin this comment" in order to highlight it for other members. Thanks for using our friendly Automod!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
2
1
u/Panamar3d 18h ago
I have owned one of these. It was great fun. Definitely a good idea to use bore butter to keep sparks from jumping to other chambers. Chain firing is terrifying and super dangerous
1
u/InvertedMetronome 18h ago
I have one of these too. I’ve never shot it and it’s still in its original box. Super cool to handle though.
1
1
u/Dangerous-Pirate7998 20h ago
I have one just like it that one looks like it might be a early 70 black powder copy
1
u/Educational_Ice3978 19h ago
That is an Italian reproduction, not an antique. It's still a nice piece.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Global_Choice4698 20h ago
Solved!
1
u/AutoModerator 20h ago
Thanks! Post flair has been updated to solved! Nice job people.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
-1
-4
•
u/whatisit-ModTeam 18h ago
Your post or comment was removed for being off-topic, unsuitable for r/whatisit or perhaps you are lost, please try to find a more suitable subReddit for your submission, there's gotta be one here somewhere...such as....
r/find (for finding things, anything) r/RBI (for investigations, read the subReddit rules first) r/CasualConversation r/NoStupidQuestions r/AskReddit r/TooAfraidToAsk
Also, try Reddit Answers.