The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - With that type of action

With that type of action (reply)

Bob Hatfield — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:35:27 +0000

if you notice at the moment of firing it is locked up very tight. Pull the trigger and hold it back and try to twist the cylinder.

Bob

Owl Head. (reply)

JLF — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 16:04:14 +0000

That whole series were known as Owl Head revolvers, and the term became a purjorative among shooters and traders for decades. "Some owl head had this gun reblued". It's still heard occasionally from some old geezer. Like this post.

JLF

I have one like that. (reply)

Hoot — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 15:12:13 +0000

If I recall correctly, I paid $20 for an old holster and it came with a pistol.

I've shot it with VERY modest loads. They are good fun. Been meaning to try some BP but haven't gotten to that yet.

Edited to add: Oh yeah, the Owl's Head looking 'down the barrel' indicated from pre-1897. FWIW

This one has quite a bit of cylinder wiggle (reply)

stonewalrus — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 14:24:27 +0000

I am afraid it would seriously shave lead. It is pretty much worn out. You wouldn't think these things would get shot that much in their day.

Interesting paperweight... (reply)

uncowboy — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 12:35:55 +0000

I shoot mine.

Interesting paperweight... (reply)

Bob Hatfield — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 11:47:53 +0000

I have on exactly like that one. I tinkered with it several years ago with smokeless. Before I knew about these first models I wondered why it was worn out. It seems the area in the recoil shield where the little ratchet nub fits was so sloppy and the latch was sloppy. I peened the latch some to tighten it up.

I did load some 4f black in the 32 cases as I couldn't get enough 3f in there to even get to 500 fps IIRC. Cant remember what fps the 4 f did. My boolits were too heavy. Seems I was using a 94 grainer.

The smokeless model (3rd) is identified by the Owl head turned different on the grips and regular S&W type cylinder locking notches. But you probably already knew that.

The metal in that first model is very soft

Bob

This was near Lebanon, TN (reply)

stonewalrus — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 03:25:58 +0000

He found a loaded Remington pump 22 (model 121 as I recall) in the attic - accidentally fired it too! He's not into guns and I was tickled to get it.

Interesting paperweight... (reply)

Cherokee — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 03:17:27 +0000

You never know what you will find in or around old homes. 50 years ago, on the family farm in Tennessee, I found an early S&W 6" 38 laying in the tall grass. None of the family knew anythng about it, no telling where it came from. Still have it.

Interesting paperweight...

stonewalrus — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 03:01:35 +0000

My brother found this fully loaded in an oatmeal box in a kitchen cupboard on a farm his wife inherited. It is an Iver Johnson 32 S&W first model. Black powder era made around 1894. No way I would shoot it but it is kind of cute.