Navy Arms .36 target revolver circa 1973

Gatofeo

New member
Anyone ever seen one of these?
I recently purchased a like-new Navy Arms reproduction of the Remington cap and ball revolver in .36 caliber. It has target adjustable sights.
I purchased this revolver from a man on the east coast. I've seen plenty of .44-caliber target Remingtons, but never a .36 -- although I now find that Pietta is offering a .36 target Remington, according to its website.
I'd like to know who made this revolver. Navy Arms imported it, but I find no manufacturer's marks. All I find are proofmarks. This revolver is like-new, with a spotless bore and chambers.
Here are the specifics:

On the barrel:
(top) NAVY ARMS CO. RIDGEFIELD N.J. MADE IN ITALY
(left side) MODEL 1858 NEW BELT CAL .36
(right side) BLACK POWDER ONLY - MADE IN ITALY
The barrel also includes the typical Gardone proof house marks but no stamp to indicate manufacturer.

On the frame:
Gardone proof house marks and XX9. The XX9 is proof house code indicating that this pistol was made in 1973.

Serial number 356XX
There are also assembly numbers of 1362 on the underside of the barrel, cylinder, loading lever and grip frame under the grips. This would indicate that all parts match.

Barrel length: 6-1/2 inches (165mm)
Overall length: 13 inches (310 mm)

Rear sight: Fully adjustable Patridge target sight.
Front sight: Blued post, mounted on a ramp. Both the ramp and the face of the front sight have horizontal lines to reduce glare.

Does anyone know who was making Remington reproductions for Navy Arms in 1973? This is a very well-made revolver, though the bluing is not highly polished like a premium grade modern revolver.

I began shooting cap and ball revolvers about 1970. At that time, few had highly polished bluing. Gaps between metal and wood, and light machine marks were common. This revolver was not the norm in 1973 and was very finely made for its era.

There's a foot of snow here in the remote Utah desert. The days are overcast, cloudy and cold. Looks like it will be that way for a while, so I haven't had a chance to get out and fire this revolver.
It should be a fine shooter.
I'm a fan of the .36 caliber and have a number of fixed-sight revolvers in this caliber. This is the first adjustable-sight, target type cap and ball I've seen in .36 caliber.

Any comments or information?
 

mykeal

New member
I'm sorely tempted to say Pietta, because I have a fixed sight Remington New Navy (.36 cal) of the same vintage made by Pietta. However, I have to admit I have no real proof or authority for that opinion. It'll be interesting to find out.
 

kwhi43

New member
This one was made by Pietta around 2004 and was imported by Deercreek
ThisOne.jpg
 

Gatofeo

New member
kwhi43, is that a .36 caliber?
Interesting piece, if it is. For years I've wanted a .36 with target sights, because I've felt that the .36 never really got its due for target shooting. Now I have one, but I have a horrible cold and the weather is lousy! Wahhhhhhhh!
I'll just have to wait until the wee beasties stop plaguing me, and the weather improves, to test this .36 target.
 

kwhi43

New member
Yes, The wife had a rose engraved on both sides and our name on the
backstrap. Deercreek has no markings on it. Ewrin from Deercreek told me
he had Pietta make 10 like this for him. I think I paid 172.00 for it. Cost me
another 400.00 to get it accuretized by Rob Lewis. Wife didn't complain a bit.
Then she wanted to have a 10 shot match with me at 50 yds, winner take all
to see who really owns it. All I can say is it has two Roses on it.
 

bprevolver

New member
New variation

I just had to add the Remington New Model Navy, target sights, 6 1/2" barrel to my list of variations. Wasn't there.

Another one I would like to acquire is a Full Fluted Cylinder with short barrel and case hardened frame.
 

flatheadsal

New member
I sold that pistol to Gatofeo, it was listed here for 2 months and no one had any interest, boy lookie now, lol, smart move Gat!!
flatheadsal

aurora117.jpg
 
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