Spanish Remington

[tljack]

I have been asked to make an offer on a Remington 1858 Army. It was purchased by the current owner over 20 years ago. It is in excellent condition with the exception of the current owners initials stamped in the bottom of the backstrap. The gun appears to be laser engraved and is well done.  The bore appears to be very bright.

It says FN Santa Barbara on eht barrel. It also says Spain.  I can not make out the apparent proof marks on the gun.

Can anyone give me a realistic suggestion of what to offer for it.

[Long Johns Wolf]

Thanks to our good friend Jim Davis from RPRCA we now know that the Spanish EN Santa Barbara Remington NMAs were made between 1971 and 1977. Probably less than a total of 10,000 units made. Their steel is said to be harder steel than the alloy used in the making of Italian replicas.
Quality can be above to on par with highend Italian Remmies.
Their grips are fatter than the Italian Remmies. Hence shooters with larger hands can grip them more comfortably.
The specimens I looked over recently had 3 features interesting for shooters:
# The relation of chamber mouth diameters to the rifling groove diameter is not historically correct because the Spaniards developed the Santa Barbaras as sport revolvers and adjusted them for maximum accuracy. This is in contrast to the Italian C&B revolver replicas.
# They have shallow rifling which in combination to their proper sized chamber dias means less gas leakage for maximum energy transfer.
# The front sights are dovetailed on the barrel
So, if you are considering your purchase to be a shooter it would be worth paying a premium for it.
Long Johns Wolf

[tljack]

Thank you for the information. I have been looking through Blue Book of Black Powder Arms and others and can not find it listed. Do you have any idea of a value. As I mentioned, other than the 2 initials in the gun it is easily 95%. The engraving no doubt cost more originally even though it is likely done by laser.

Terry

[Long Johns Wolf]

Terry, I have no idea about the market prices of these Spaniards in the US. In top condition a plane Jane version of the Santa Barbara without carton and papers would can be had between € 150,00 and 200,00 which is $ 195,00 to 260,00.
These guns are sought after in these parts as shooting irons, not as collector pieces.
Long Johns Wolf

[tljack]

That is a big help. Thank you

Terry

[riflee]

If the EN Santa Barbara is in 95% condition with no ill fixes to it I'd pay $400. The ordanance grade steel is the catcher combined with the precision machining and extra smooth bores.  I like the fact the "bolt" can't peen the cylinder......like any cartridge revolver that fires smokeless powder …...unlike the Italian soft cylindered revolvers. 

[Captainkirk]

If the EN Santa Barbara is in 95% condition with no ill fixes to it I'd pay $400. The ordanance grade steel is the catcher combined with the precision machining and extra smooth bores.  I like the fact the "bolt" can't peen the cylinder......like any cartridge revolver that fires smokeless powder …...unlike the Italian soft cylindered revolvers.

Good info, I am in the process of acquiring a SB.

[Macgloy]

Please let me know the SN and watch before you buy, is there a magnum or a deep cylinder track on it.
I have an other question about a Marlin. Who could help me to find out quantity and year of building?
Gloyer

[riflee]

 About the laser engraving.  Never seen one with it. The one I have is beautiful and a real work of art in form and function.  Definitely not laser but true hand engraved. I consider it a collectable because of the low number manufactured and the good steel they are made of. In the same class as a good Belgian 1960 Centennial New Model Army. 

I'd like to add something here. Wolf's book on the Belgian Colts is a work of art. Good fer lookin at.

One other thing. In an add at Gunbroker Auction a fellow refers to his Pietta "Shooters" model Remington as a .457 Shooter. Maybe that is what it's called but..... the one I have has chambers measuring .456 and a .457 ball is too loose and moves forward in the chambers as one is fired. I have a hard to get .464 ball mould I acquired solely for the "Shooters" Model Pietta Remington.  Shoots like a laser beam with that .464 ball. One place only I know of to get a .464 ball mould is Pedersoli.  Rapine use to sell the .464 but is out of business and the other place that used to have a .464 was RCBS and they have it no more .Pedersoli at "Flint Locks Ect." have them.  Beauchamp is the persons name that has the Pedersoli products.

Hope I'm not out of line here. I've been out of line my whole life though.

[riflee]

  I've been told the En Santa Barbaras Remingtons were made in the Spainish Arsenal where their military weapons are made. Thus the ordanance grade steel that seems to be the Remingtons feature.

Any info on this from anyone?

[Captainkirk]

  I've been told the En Santa Barbaras Remingtons were made in the Spainish Arsenal where their military weapons are made. Thus the ordanance grade steel that seems to be the Remingtons feature.

Any info on this from anyone?

Yes. Quite true. My SB is built like a brick ****house and features the tightest lockup on any revolver I own. Check with our member Macgloy here...he seems to be the resident expert. You can search his threads by typing in SANTA BARBARA in the search box. Tons of good info.