Which Italian maker made this CVA .36 replica of a Colt Navy?

[NuJudge]

I relative gave me a .36 Colt-type percussion revolver.  It has a Naval scene roll marked on the cylinder.  The top of the barrel is marked, " Connecticut Valley Arms-Made in Italy".  The lower right face of the octagonal barrel says, "A.S.M. Black Powder only Cal. 36 Made in Italy".

The barrel and cylinder are blued steel.  The frame and gripframe are brass, the right side of the frame is stamped with a round CVA cartouche. 

Anyone know how old it is, or which Italian maker made it? 

[blhof]

Don't know about the age, but ASM is Armi San Marco.  They went out of business about 10 years ago, so it's at least that old.  Check out THR.com, I believe they have a sticky on their B?P forum that will help with the date.  There is a lot of negative talk about the ASM guns, but I've got a 31 cal baby Dragoon that is well made and shoots fine.

[powderman]

Connecticut Valley Arms, or  CVA,  is the name of the maker. POWDERMAN. 

[Fingers McGee]

Connecticut Valley Arms, or  CVA,  is the name of the maker. POWDERMAN.  

No...... blhof is correct, Armi San Marco is the maker.  CVA was the importer & seller.  Date of mfg can be determined from the date code found on the frame.  Here is the code key:


ASM guns made before about 1990 were generally very good.  I've had a couple made then and some since.  The newer ones left something to be desired - to put it mildly

[P.A. Myers]

I have one of these in .44, brass frame [1851 style]. A brass frame revolver, made by anybody will very quickly shoot loose. NO rumor, I've done it.

[powderman]

FINGERS. Thank you Sir, I stand corrected. I always thought that cva was the maker. POWDERMAN. 

[Fingers McGee]

I have one of these in .44, brass frame [1851 style]. A brass frame revolver, made by anybody will very quickly shoot loose. NO rumor, I've done it.

Shooting a brasser with mild to light loads; they will last a loooong time.  Overloaded or shot with heavy loads will take their toll on the frame resulting in premature failure.

[longcaribiner]

ASM may have gone out of business, but another italian company probably bought the tooling and picked up manufacturing.  It is surprising how interchangeable some parts are.    And also surprising the range in quality of some manufacturers.  I have four Palmetto guns.  Three are very well made.  The fourth, well,,,,,,, it shoots.  Feels like it has grit in the action despite thorough cleanings. 

[JPShelton]

I've got one of these and have owned it for a long time -so long, in fact, that I don't remember exactly when I bought it! I think it was 1987 or so.  Anyhow, other posters are correct about A.S.M. standing for Armi San Marco.  ASM kind of has a reputation for being lower quality, but mine was a good shooter until the locking bolt spring broke. I'll fix it one of these days......

J.P.

[OldH&R156er]

Hey JPShelton.
If you need parts for that ASM and have a hard time finding someone who carries them, try giving Deer creek products a call at 765-525-6181, they have about all the perts you will ever need for an ASM.
For me they are just a short drive from my house down in Waldren Indiana, so they are convenient!

Ken.

[taddrake82]

i am new to the forum and have a similar question. I have done a good amount of research and can not find a reference to the maker of the 44 colt that i have. Here are the markings:
Top of barrel - EIG Navy

Cylinder - Navy Ships with enscription "Engaged 18 May 1843" and "Pat Sept 10th 1850"

Bottom Brass forward of trigger guard - Star over PN, 9, Star over crossed swords (i have come to learn that this should mean proof by Gardone and Brescia, made in 1953)

Bottom Black forward of trigger guard - 95252

Right Side Black next to pin - Star over crossed swords, Star over PN, X (made in 1954)

Bottom of handgrip - Italy and what looks to be a cirlular cross hair with EIG in the middle.

My dilemma is that I haven't seen any reference to EIG anywhere in the material I have read. Any further help on this and what it might be worth would be appreciated.

[Fingers McGee]

EIG is the importer.  Saul Eig was an importer from Florida during the 1950-1970 era. He imported cutlery and lots of cheap handguns.  A lot of the guns they imported prior to 1968 was made by Tangfolio