Reeder Custom Guns - The Mormon Avenger...

I pulled this out of the safe for us to enjoy some. It is on display in my office at work to share and have for conversation. It is little fun, tucked away from view.

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I bought it partially done and talked Gary into getting on board with the project and finishing my special piece. It is one of a kind. You may find others modded but this is very special. It is a 1861 (not 1851) Colt .36 "Navy" that was period modified as per the historical record. The box is a fine cigar box covered in leather. They still sell them at $250-300 for (20).

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It makes a fine desk accessory and looks the part. It includes the needed pieces to load, fire, and maintain the 6-shot revolver.

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Gary did some etching/engraving to really set the piece off and make it unique. It even has homage to the movie "High Plains Drifter" that is one of my favorites. We are not trying to fool anyone as to this Italian's heritage, just have some fun and maintain this interesting historical reference. What good is something if you can't have some fun and share it?

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The "Mormon Avenger" refers to Orrin Porter Rockwell, a legendary, fearsome frontiersman and bodyguard for Mormon leaders Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, known as the "Destroying Angel of Mormondom" for his fierce loyalty, gunfighting prowess, and mysterious invincibility, often linked to prophecies about his uncut hair and a modified pistol named the "Mormon Avenger" itself. He was a complex figure—a lawman, scout, and a symbol of Mormon protection against enemies during their difficult westward migration, despite his violent reputation.

Key Aspects of Porter Rockwell:

• Bodyguard & Protector: He served as a close, loyal protector for early Mormon prophets, especially Joseph Smith.

• The "Destroying Angel": This nickname highlighted his ruthless effectiveness against those who threatened the Mormon faith, fulfilling prophecies about divine protection.

• Uncut Hair & Prophecy: A famous prophecy claimed Rockwell would be protected as long as he didn't cut his hair, adding to his mystical aura.

• The "Mormon Avenger" Pistol: He famously carried modified, sawed-off Colt revolvers, with one such pistol becoming a collectible known by this name.

• Controversial Figure: While a hero to many Mormons, he was feared by enemies and involved in violent conflicts, though he claimed he only killed those who "needed killing".

• Died Naturally: Despite his violent life, he died of natural causes in 1878, not from bullets, solidifying his legendary status.

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series simply called The Avenger and built several guns similar to this one . I talked with John Taffin about it. He thought it was a good idea as long as I don't put it out as one of the original Avengers and call it the Colt Avenger or Mormon Avenger. This was about the time my health started going down the tube. I built several guns much like the one in the box. I will have to look up our Avenger for the price and how many we built.
I think it is about time to bring the Avenger back.
If any of you Misfits have one of the guns like the one I did for Scotty, feel free to send it in and let me know what you want done to it.
I just showed the pictures of Scotty's Avenger to Colleen and she remembered us building several of the Avengers plus building a couple of long guns in the Avenger series. The Avenger series did very well mainly because the gun could be bought by anyone and there was no federal paperwork.
My thanks go out to Scotty for showing the Avenger and bringing back some memories.

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One might consider keeping the loading lever linkage. It would be found a useful accessory for shooting bench work. Just pop it on to load, remove to plink. Jim uses a wood loading lever table tool for his shooting C&B. They are non-regulated as antiques except for a few funky localities. I have accessories to manufacture “paper cartridges” from coffee filters or cigarette papers that only adds to the fun. If you have never played with BP revolvers it’s really fun and historic. Cheap compared to most “handguns”. Power wise the popular .36 is where we get the “.38” caliber, which is truly a .36. It uses .375” balls to be fired through the .358-.360” bore. It shoots a nominal 80 gr. pure lead ball or 130 gr. conical bullet at 700-1000 fps. About like a .380 ACP in power! Not real good Indian, much less buffalo medicine! But you’d never know given the BOOM, fire and smoke. It’s a hoot.

The .44 is about the same speed but uses .451-.454 projectiles ranging from 130-150 grs. I souped up one once, a Ruger, shooting 777 powder and 270 gr. bullets at 900 fps. It was a useful hunting piece.

Remington copies are robust and have better sights, Colts seem more “western”. The pocket .31’s mimic .22 Short performance but are fun. Historically the Navy used brass fixture .36’s and the Army had iron .44’s.

Jim and I both really admire the 1862 Colt Pocket Police .36 5-shot for its compact size and even modern utility. A double win.

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This is the epitome of the cap 'n ball pistols. It is a finely fitted work of art. It came just before Colt started transitioning to the cartridge sixguns and had all the refinements that earlier models inspired.

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Here is a photo of an original

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The tiny .31's sure are cute but hardly useful in my view, other than entertainment. I'd sure hate to use one in a last ditch. The .36 is where things start to happen. The Pocket police 5-shot is so much more lively compared to the larger 6-shot. But it's not bad either.

*That may be a poor analogy as Ruger copied the Remington revolver features in developing the Bearcat 22.

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The Mormon Avenger...

A good while back I registered a new

When such a revolver is “modified” I think

The 1862 Pocket Police model

It's the Bearcat of "Colt" revolvers.

He was born in Belchertown Massachusetts