Page 26 - GUNS Issue n.01

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1_The cylinder base pin with the two stop notches, intended to be
intercepted by the spring-loaded retainer. One is the “service”
one, the other acts as a manual safety.

2_By pushing the cylinder base pin so that the spring-loaded
retainer engages the front notch, the rear of the pin protrudes
from the recoil shield, preventing the hammer from completing
its forward movement and thus acting as a manual safety.

The Theodore Roosevelt model, on the other hand, is entirely nickel-plated. The name of the Centennial
model comes from the fact that it reproduces the engraving style and, in general, the appearance of the
very first elegantly engraved Colt 1873s with long barrels (12” but also 16”), which were shown during
the Centennial Exposition of 1876. Long barrel models are nowadays more popularly known as Buntline,
named after the journalist, writer and adventurer Ned Buntline (see the box in this same article). The
glossy bluing of the Centennial is matched by the checkered polymer grips that imitate the Bakelite grips
of the time, while the Theodore Roosevelt model accompanies the nickel plating of the surfaces with a
pair of white polymer grips that imitate ivory. On the left grip there is a monogram with the initials of the
26th president of the United States (the youngest in US history, having been elected when he was 42 years
old), also present in the form of an engraving on the left hemisphere of the recoil shield. The engraving
includes a decoration with volutes, spirals and flowers, characterized (as was the custom at the time) by the
extensive use of bas-relief with a background (also made with a laser) that provides a chiaroscuro contrast
by highlighting the motifs in relief.
The engravings on the Centennial also have a satin background, but the spirals are even finer and they are
interspersed among garlands placed on the recoil shield and on the top of the barrel. On the sides of the
frame, in addition to the patent markings, there are zoomorphic figures, consisting of a bald eagle on the
left side and a bear’s head on the right side.

our test
These are replicas undoubtedly beautiful, but you don’t have to treat them like “safe queens”: you can
shoot them at the range and have a really good time! Both revolvers are chambered in perhaps the most
classic caliber of the cowboy’s tradition, namely the .45 Colt, and for both we used Sellier & Bellot ammo
with flat-nosed lead bullets weighing 250 grains. The Theodore Roosevelt model has the barrel length
typical of the military version adopted by the US military, therefore 7.5 inches, while the Centennial is, quite
simply, “very long” but still manages to be just as elegant, and certainly more imposing. With both guns,
I had no misfires and no hick-ups with cartridge feeding and brass ejection. I also noticed powerful and
well centered primer strikes. The only precaution that should be adopted before shooting is to check that
the notches on the cylinder base pin are correctly oriented downwards to effectively engage the retainer.
Otherwise, under the effect of the recoil, the pin will tend to slide forward due to inertia. Even if this

3_Group obtained at 15 meters (16 yards)
with the Theodore Roosevelt revolver
using Sellier & Bellot LRNFP 250 gr
ammo. Five shots in 60 mm.

4_Five shots in 50 mm in the same
conditions and with the same ammo but
using the Buntline with a 12” barrel. 3 4

BAllIsTIC CHArT - FACTorY AmmUNITIoN
Manufacturer Bullet type Bullet weight (gr) V 0 (m/sec) V 0 (FPS) E 0 (joule) E 0 (ft·lb) E 0 (kgm)
Sellier & bellot lrnFP 250 216 708 378 278 38,5
note: official data from the manufacturer

24 TesT revolver_Pietta 1873 engraved caliber .45 colt