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Replica Revolvers
bprevolver
Member Posts: 153 ✭✭✭
I have seen the letters "COM" and "PR" on some replica blackpowder revolvers. Does anyone know what these mean? They are on Italian made guns. The "PR" I have seen on the butt of FIE revolvers and the "COM" on guns simply marked "Made in Italy".
Comments
I have exausted everywhere that I can find trying to find out who made the revolvers with the PR on the butt.
If anyone out there knows for sure what the PR means, PLEASE share it with us.
Lee
According to this website http://en.comuni-italiani.it/034/039/index.html the City of Tizzano, Italy is located in the Province of Parma, whose abbreviation is "PR". Within the city are various localities which include Pietta. Therefore, Pietta-made firearms may be stamped "PR" for the Parma Province.
Just a thought.
Also, what about the GB logo found on the EIG revolvers?
I've just come across a brass framed .44 cal 51 Navy, left barrel flat says 'Cal.44 Army Model 1851'; right barrel flat says 'Black Powder only Made in Italy' Date code for 1972 and normal Italian proof marks on frame. Bottom barrel flat under the loading lever has serial number that matches underside of frame. Bottom of backstrap has 'JANA' inside a box. Any idea who made it?
Spider, were there any other firearms manufacturers in this city? The only revolvers that I have seen the PR on are brass framed replicas of lower quality like FIE. The PR mystery has plagued me for 15yrs.
Also, what about the GB logo found on the EIG revolvers?
Since FIE was the Miami, Florida importer and not the manufacturer, I still suspect their revolvers were made by Pietta. I don't know about the "GB" on EIG (the importer) but I'll see what I can find out. The closest I found was "CB" for the Province of Campobasso and "BG" for Bergamo.
BP revolver/Spider.
I've just come across a brass framed .44 cal 51 Navy, left barrel flat says 'Cal.44 Army Model 1851'; right barrel flat says 'Black Powder only Made in Italy' Date code for 1972 and normal Italian proof marks on frame. Bottom barrel flat under the loading lever has serial number that matches underside of frame. Bottom of backstrap has 'JANA' inside a box. Any idea who made it?
Hi, Ken - "JANA" was the name of an importer in Denver, Colorado, who imported blackpowder firearms from Spain and Italy. I suspect your gun was made for them. The exact Italian markings may help to identify the actual maker.
Thanks Spider for the FIE info. I have been looking a long time for that.
You're welcome. Their actual name was "Firearms Importers & Exporters" (FIE), located in Miami, Fla.
The JANA '51 Navy belongs to a friend of mine. He's had it a looooong time & wanted to shoot it. The trigger spring was broken and he asked me if I could fix it - which I did. Upon closer examination, there is a badly struck (only about half of the mark is there) Armi San Paulo DGG in a circle makers mark on the underside of the barrel half hidden by the loading lever.
I'll pass the info to the owner.
Ken