44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts?

odentheviking · 03-22-2012, 11:55 AM

Hello All, First post here on the forum so please be gentle!

I have always liked to older Top Break revolvers, mostly the 2nd Mdl H&R's,(not the even older Black Powder crte. models!), but not really the common S&W's you see going for high dollar but are just plain shot out.

I have been trying to find information on the 44 Cal. copies. I have seen the Spanish and the Belguim copies but I am not seeing to much info on their quality, safety, cost, etc....
Any information you may add will be very helpful to me.
Many thanks, and "Hello", from Paul.

45Auto · 03-22-2012, 12:55 PM

I restored a Belgian top brake chambered for 44-40 WCF. The revolver was more or less hand made, and all of the repair parts had to be made by hand. You can fix these things but it's a pain. I would not advise paying any more than $200.00

The old Belgian was fired with black powder loads. It was still tight after 24 rounds, but the accuracy was not all that good.

Each one must be examined prior to shooting. However, the shooting qualities are rather poor and there is little reason to keep them for their shooting qualities.

Double D · 03-22-2012, 12:59 PM

Hello Paul and welcome to the forum. Sorry I am not the one to answer your questions, but, just wanted to say hello and extend a handshake.

gvw3 · 03-22-2012, 02:33 PM

These guys make a knockoff of the gun you are looking for.
http://www.ubertireplicas.com/revolver-top.php

Looks to cost $800/900 range.

I do not own one but have heard they make pretty good guns.

odentheviking · 03-22-2012, 07:56 PM

Thank you Gents for the Welcome and the information on the Belgian models. I know about the Uberti copies of the Schofield and have heard good things, but what I am really hoping for is a double action and I think the Uberti's, (even the new "Russian" models), are all single action.

I would like to hear anything about the Spanish copies as they seem to be the closest to a S&W. I hope to use this for cowboy/farm and ranch hand living history/re-enacting.

Many thanks, Paul.

45Auto · 03-23-2012, 08:43 AM

Paul,

These Spanish copies of the S&W, are they new/recent or old/antique copies?

Alpo · 03-23-2012, 09:37 AM

The Spanish / Belgian S&W copies were junk when they were made, a hundred years ago. Why in the world would you want one now? Just because it's old does not make it better. Junk is still junk.

odentheviking · 03-23-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45Auto

Paul,

These Spanish copies of the S&W, are they new/recent or old/antique copies?

Morning 45Auto, They seem to be an early, turn of the century, copy of the S&W Frontier 44 mdl. The two that I have seen have the date "1914" molded into the rubber grips. I would guess they are an older Black Powder Ctge. only mdl. But I think there is no date of manf. anywhere on them.
Thanks, Paul.

03-22-2012, 11:55 AM	#1
odentheviking Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 5	44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts? Hello All, First post here on the forum so please be gentle! I have always liked to older Top Break revolvers, mostly the 2nd Mdl H&R's,(not the even older Black Powder crte. models!), but not really the common S&W's you see going for high dollar but are just plain shot out. I have been trying to find information on the 44 Cal. copies. I have seen the Spanish and the Belguim copies but I am not seeing to much info on their quality, safety, cost, etc.... Any information you may add will be very helpful to me. Many thanks, and "Hello", from Paul. -->

03-22-2012, 12:55 PM	#2
45Auto Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,116	Re: 44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts? I restored a Belgian top brake chambered for 44-40 WCF. The revolver was more or less hand made, and all of the repair parts had to be made by hand. You can fix these things but it's a pain. I would not advise paying any more than $200.00 The old Belgian was fired with black powder loads. It was still tight after 24 rounds, but the accuracy was not all that good. Each one must be examined prior to shooting. However, the shooting qualities are rather poor and there is little reason to keep them for their shooting qualities. Last edited by 45Auto; 03-22-2012 at 01:06 PM..

03-22-2012, 12:59 PM	#3
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,049	Re: 44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts? Hello Paul and welcome to the forum. Sorry I am not the one to answer your questions, but, just wanted to say hello and extend a handshake. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

03-22-2012, 02:33 PM	#4
gvw3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago IL Area Contributor Posts: 3,241	Re: 44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts? These guys make a knockoff of the gun you are looking for. http://www.ubertireplicas.com/revolver-top.php Looks to cost $800/900 range. I do not own one but have heard they make pretty good guns. __________________ Criminals advocate stronger gun laws to foster a safer work environment. This limits their exposure to risk. Last edited by gvw3; 03-22-2012 at 02:42 PM..

03-22-2012, 07:56 PM	#5
odentheviking Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 5	Re: 44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts? Thank you Gents for the Welcome and the information on the Belgian models. I know about the Uberti copies of the Schofield and have heard good things, but what I am really hoping for is a double action and I think the Uberti's, (even the new "Russian" models), are all single action. I would like to hear anything about the Spanish copies as they seem to be the closest to a S&W. I hope to use this for cowboy/farm and ranch hand living history/re-enacting. Many thanks, Paul.

03-23-2012, 08:43 AM	#6
45Auto Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,116	Re: 44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts? Paul, These Spanish copies of the S&W, are they new/recent or old/antique copies?

03-23-2012, 09:37 AM	#7
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: 44 Top Break Copies, any thoughts? The Spanish / Belgian S&W copies were junk when they were made, a hundred years ago. Why in the world would you want one now? Just because it's old does not make it better. Junk is still junk. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.