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Posted: 1/16/2026 5:36:12 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Merkel1][Edited]
I ended up with this .44 Black Powder pistol and I know absolutely nothing about it. Shows Navy Arms and also F.LLI Pietta on it. Looking to see what its worth and a little info on it. Where were they typically bought etc? " />
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Replica of a Colt 1860. Fairly nice guns. Made in Italy. Value is anywhere from $0 to about $200 depending on condition in the bore, chambers, nipple threads, and action internals. New versions sell for ~$400. Since it's stamped "Navy Arms", that brackets the age of the revolver, it could have been sold in any sporting goods store, hardware store, or department store that sold guns. Navy was a main driver of importing Italian guns that sold to the growing interest in black powder guns in general, reenacting, muzzleloader rifles, and the rest. |
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
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Originally Posted By Merkel1: Thanks for the help and trying to decide on keeping it or not. I know absolutely nothing about black powder. Where do I get the powder, balls, caps etc and how much to use? This channel has a ton of info on anything blackpowder, plus hes been on youtube for a long time. https://www.youtube.com/@capandball This channel is geared for those that want to make black powder, of course due to youtube's policy's sometimes you have to read between the lines on what he says. https://www.youtube.com/@Everythingblackpowder C&Rsenal on youtube has a "Reprocussion" series that goes into alot of detail on the history of Colt percussion revolvers using modern reproduction pistols. Plus a crap ton on early blackpowder military arms. https://www.youtube.com/@Candrsenal |
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Buy balls, caps, and gunpowder from Graf and Sons or Midway USA. There is probably a shop close to your location. Full Circle in St. Charles usually has caps, and might have bullets and black powder, i have never checked. Buy #10 caps if possible. #11's will work but should be squeezed slightly so they fit better. You might want better nipples. Here is one brand: https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/91041?srsltid=AfmBOop7gbs6CR6arW5ILZROYO_NZnVWR9Fcvf_WmiHMrIzFIp2tZRhp |
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
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Originally Posted By AeroE: Buy balls, caps, and gunpowder from Graf and Sons or Midway USA. There is probably a shop close to your location. Full Circle in St. Charles usually has caps, and might have bullets and black powder, i have never checked. Buy #10 caps if possible. #11's will work but should be squeezed slightly so they fit better. You might want better nipples. Here is one brand: https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/91041?srsltid=AfmBOop7gbs6CR6arW5ILZROYO_NZnVWR9Fcvf_WmiHMrIzFIp2tZRhp Suggestions on gunpowder? Where do I find how much powder to use? |
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Load with 3fg black powder. I don't recommend substitutes, but some will work. Load 20 tp 25 grains of powder. Use a ball that fits the chamber tight. Make certain the gunpowder and ball are compressed in each chamber, no air between the ball and powder. Cleaning after shooting is mandatory and can't be put off, or the gun will be ruined by corrosion. Pietta has a downloadable manual on their web site and there are dozens of other sources of info on line. |
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
|
Welcome to the Holy Black!
The 1860 is hands down the sexiest Colt ever made. I am quite fond of mine. 
A gentleman who goes by jackrabbit1957 on The High Road and Cast Boolits does excellent work on black powder revolvers if you need it done - he's in Bisbee, AZ, and I have had two guns worked on by him, with excellent results. It takes a long time to load, the smoke will drive other shooters away, and it takes you back almost 200 years to a wilder, more interesting time. I used Goex 3F when I started, currently using Olde Eynsford 3F, but it doesn't really matter which you use, just be warned the substitutes like Pyrodex are not the same, and you use differing amounts. I am not 100% familiar with them, so can't really comment much. A loading stand doesn't hurt - one I have with my son's 1851. makes loading on the line easier. 
This isn't a gun you will shoot 100 rounds on the line, black powder gums up a wee bit. I highly recommend some Bore Butter on the arbor, (the long pin that comes out from the back of the receiver and holds everything together), when shooting to keep fouling soft. Also, lubed wads are a good thing to help keep fouling down in the bore. Lube is not really what we think of with cartridge firearms, lube here softens and removes fouling. Don't let anyone scare with cleaning talk, not that you have to do it right away - THAT you should do, as burned black powder is hygroscopic and will attract water. No, cleaning is not difficult with hot soapy water, and if you don't have dish soap, just good copious amounts of hot water will do. Just try to avoid water down in the works. My friend, welcome to some real fun! 
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Picked up my first cap and ball revolvers a couple of years ago because the price was too good to pass up. An 1860 Army and 1851 Reb Navy in .44 caliber with a large copper flask were packaged together and had never been fired. Both were made by Pietta and are well done, IMHO. I did go through each revolver to clean up the internals a tad which improved the action a little. Both had excellent timing and lock-up. Was able to source some Pyrodex, balls, wads and lube locally. Also grabbed a powder measure and built a loading stand. An outing usually consists of 24-30 shots in each gun and leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling each time I am engulfed in smoke. They tend to shoot high within 20 yards, but that is easily compensated for. Cleanup is not difficult and can be done quickly if you use very hot water to flush the barrel and cylinder. It dries almost instantly if the water is hot enough. Follow with patches and a little oil to protect surfaces. Be sure to use dry patches to remove the oil prior to shooting the next time. I recommend using some choke tube anti-seize on the nipples to make servicing them easier. I upgraded to Slixshot nipples on both revolvers, too. |
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