Omni-Potent

[what would you say]

Omni-Potent

[Professor Marvel]

Ah My Good Monsieur Say -

I had lusted after one of those wacky things when they were announced, I really cannnot say why...
If you examine it closely, it really is little more than a standard model P frame, with a short shopkeeper barrel and
a.... unique .... (but readily reproducible) gripframe.

I hope you don't mind if I download your photos for my own nepharious purposes wishbook.

yhs
prof marvel

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

My favorite would have been that model with the 4" barrel.  The engraved models that they had on their web site were works of art!

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

I seem to recall that the engraved model they showed on their web site did have the 4" barrel without ejector.  Hopefully Gary will join in here and let us know what happened to that beautifully engraved pistol.  I'd be willing to bet that it was one of a kind.  Another interesting thing about that engraved model is that it had the 1878 Colt style recoil shield and loading gate whereas the production model emulated the 1873 Colt.
The original Omni-Potents had a Bisley type hammer spur and checkered grips.  Later models had a hammer that more closely resembled the 1878 and they did away with the checkering (although it might have remained as an option).
Attached is a picture of a Colt 1878.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Found this picture of a USFA Omni-Potent with the original style hammer.

[Deadeye Don]

Found this picture of a USFA Omni-Potent with the original style hammer.

That is a beautiful gun.  Such a shame......

[GaryG]

In the 2004 catalog (blue cover) there were 5 heavily engraved Omnis.  Nickel (perhaps in the white - hard to tell from the pics) with fireblue appointments.  Ejector models, one with a 7 1/2" barrel and the other with a 5 1/2" barrel.  Smooth ivory grips.  Also shown were 3 ejectorless models which later would be called the Snubnose.  2', 3", and 4" barrels.  They appear to have barkless stag (perhaps bone) grips.  All had the later model hammers and all were engraved by Dennis Kies.  Also, they all had the early style loading gates and the bell area were reduced in size.  They were all gone by the time I got there so the whereabouts are unknown. 

[Buckaroo Lou]

Here is one you can buy but it isn't a snub and it is only a measly 11 K.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=422680033

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Shazam!!!  "Excellent condition with normal minor blemishes."  "Buy it now" price is $11,750.  I can only wonder what this guy's reserve must be!

[Pettifogger]

Maybe its a typo and he put in an extra one.  Otherwise, the guy must be sniffing glue.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Well, it's gone now.  It was a 24 hour auction and got one bid that did not meet the reserve.  Same seller had another Omni-Potent with a 2" barrel.  Opening bid required for it was $2,000.  It, too, is no longer listed so I assume it was a 24 hour auction as well.
Interesting thing (at least for me) about the 2" model was that it was a US Patent gun.  I believe that "Patent" was dropped from USFA's name after about the first year (1994ish).  I didn't realize that the Omni-Potent was offered that early in the game.  Seller also claimed that this gun was, according to the previous owner, the first Omni made and that it was one of only two that were ever made with the Bisley style hammer spur.  Hard to prove that "first one made" claim and the "one of only two" statement is obviously wrong.
Back to the auctions, currently on GunBroker there is a  blue/cch Double Eagle that has reached $3,010 with 19 bids so far.  Still a week to go on the auction.  It will be interesting to see how that one ends.   

[GaryG]

As an aside, the early Omnis had Uberti frames.  In regard to the Omni Target that was on GB, I don't remember a US made Omni target frame ever being made. 

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

For those who have yet to see it, one of the engraved Omnis is now on GunBroker.   Two days left and the bidding is up to $3600 - reserve not met.  I'm sure it is going to take a lot more than $3600 reach the reserve on this one! 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=425673058

[jd45]

CaptJohnFitzgerald, that gun you posted the pic of; the Omni, is an exact duplicate of the one I bought off the Guns America website several years ago, except that mine has the 7-1/2" barrel. It was advertized as "Omni-Potent Target"( actually a Bisley Target). The hammer, unless I'm mistaken, is a Bisley hammer. It was used & I paid $950 for it. It was made back when the company was using Uberti parts. I sent it back to USFA because the cylinder's chamber throats were .454" & the barrel's groove diameter was .451", so they put a .4525" throat cylinder on & switched the firing pin to a straight cone 1st Gen. from the concave taper 1920's pin it came with at my request. I had to thicken the front sight so it would shoot more accurately, which I did believe it or not, with electrical tape.........now I can hit what I'm aimin at, even out to 50yds. I really like this gun.....I also have a newer all U.S. parts Premium SAA which is my pride & joy   

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Sounds like you got yourself a great gun, JD!  
That frame configuration is commonly referred to as a "flat top" and was not exclusive to the Bisley model.  They were used by USFA and Colt on the standard grip SA's as well.  To the best of my knowledge, all USFA flat tops came with the target style front sight.
CJF

[jd45]

Tes CaptJohn, USFA offered the Flattop SA as well as Colt. BTW, IIRC all the Flattops had the windage-adjustable rear sights, too. jd45

[Frank V]

Just found this thread in the forum.
I expect I'll be around a bit more now.
Gary, good to hear from you again.