Short barrel/ejectorless SAA

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I have a facination with belly guns. 

I know Colt has cataloged numerous short barreled (less than 4.75") SAA's over the years.  I've seen factory samples as short as 2".  These are often referred to as "Sheriff" model or "Store Keeper" model by collectors.  Most of the factory short/ejectorless SAA's I've seen recently have been 3rd gen guns.  The barrels are marked "Sheriff" and the box is marked "Sheriff".  Of note, I have seen some Colt marked "Sheriff" models from the 1980's with barrels of 4" and 5.5" lengths.   They were ejectorless.  These were part of the limited run from the custom shop of the 5 gun sherrif display.  I have never seen a sample SAA stamped "Store Keeper".





Enough rambling and on to my questions:

Does the ejectorless status make a "Sheriff" model?

If so, what features constitute a "Store Keeper" model?

Are the terms interchangable?

[St. George]

The terms are interchangeable, though there's more of a cachet of danger and excitement if one calls them a 'Sheriff's Model' rather than a 'Storekeeper's Model'.

The term refers to those Colt Single Action Armys with a barrel length less than 4 3/4", or a barrel less than the length of an ejector housing.

The most visible identifier is the absence of the ejector housing.

There are six frame types:

Model 1 - standard frame with diagonal screw base pin retainer
Model 2 - standard frame with transverse pin retainer
Model 3 - flattop frame
Model 4 - sharp frame
Model 5 - bull-barrel frame
Model 6 - Bisley frame (two known)

Barrel lengths:  2 1/2" - 3" - 3 1/2" - 4"

Calibers:  .32-20 - .38-40 - .38 Colt - .41 - .44-40 - .45

These numbers/variants are based on early guns - not Third Generation production.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Tascosa Joe]

St George:
Please shed some light on the term "Sharp Frame".  I have been messing with old Colts most of my life and I have never heard or seen that term, that I remember.

Thanks,

T-Joe

[St. George]

Remember, we're talking about period revolvers here - not newer production.

When the Sheriff's Model was manufactured, the ejector boss was ground off 'before' the hole was drilled through.

(Caveat Emptor - fake Sheriff's Models have this hole filled)

The sharp-frame Sheriff's Model appears more generally in the 108,000 - 109,000 serial number range, then sporadically until 1898.

The side of the base pin housing - or boss - has a sharp edge, rather than a round periphery.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Tascosa,
"Fluted frame" is the term that is generally used to describe what is referred to here as "sharp frame."
CJF

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Here's my 2" ejectorless  (1980's production)

[Fox Creek Kid]

Famed Old West gunman Ben Thompson used a Sheriff's Model Colt.