Jan 2007 Page 4

Black Powder Revolver

The Online Magazine and Resource for Black Powder Revolvers

January 2007 Edition

Page 4

Mail Bag

I've been reading up on Cowboy Action Shooting, and it all sounds like a lot of fun - except for the startup costs of buying guns. Being on a limited budget, it seems to me that it would be considerably less expensive to buy cap-and-ball pistols than to buy cartridge revolvers. Seems like the cost is about half, if I spend, say, $225 on a steel-frame cap-and ball rather than putting out about $500 on a lower-cost .38 or something.
Would I be sorry if I did this? Are there many people that shoot the cap-and-ball revolvers? I don't want to buy the cap-and-ball revolvers if they are unpopular or not used much. What's your advice?

This question comes to us from the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) through a fellow shooter. My advice to a starting cap & ball shooter is to start with something simple like an 1858 Remington in .36 cal. The 1858 with its full frame is easy to disassemble and clean. In .36 cal the recoil is manageable and lets you concentrate on hitting your target rather than worrying about the recoil. The online auction sites often have steel frame 1858 in the $125-$150 so it won’t break the bank to give it a try. If you are worried about the cartridge shooters making you look bad, try conical bullets rather than round ball. Of course don’t tell anyone until after you’ve out shot them.

HELLO:

I HAVE A CONNECTICUT VALLEY BLACK POWDER REVOLVER...SERIAL NUMBER 0001547 THAT BELONGED TO MY LATE HUSBAND.

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE VALUE OF THIS GUN..

THANKS SO MUCH.

PAT

Pat;
At last count, Connecticut Valley Arms or CVA, had 14 different models of black powder revolvers listed. I tried but did not have any sources that could give me a model number based just on the serial number. Depending on what model it is and its condition, the value could range from $80 to over $500. If you could send a digital photo, that would be a great help in identifying the gun. Values are also based on the amount of the original finish remaining. Photos can help give us a general idea of the condition of the gun and finish. Hope that helps.

Have a question, want to identify or value a replica or antique? Send us an e-mail with as much information as you have and if possible a few digital photos.