Just bought a USFA 7.5" Nickel in .45 Colt - advice?

[Jed Irons]

Hi, all,

I just discovered this forum after some searching, seems like the perfect place to ask a few questions.  I hope you don't mind.

The other day on a classifieds forum I found an unfired 7.5" USFA SA, nickel finish, in .45 Colt.  Asking price was $800.  Knowing that these are rare, expensive, and with a high reputation for quality, but little else, I jumped on it.  When I met the seller (who was local) to transfer the gun, I noticed that the underside of the barrel was marked "Uberti."  Am I correct in concluding that this gun was "made" before USFA started their all-American manufacturing?  I hadn't considered that as a possibility before I agreed to purchase the gun, and now I'm wondering if I got hosed on the deal at $800.  $800 for a Uberti is high, even though this has a nickel finish and black-powder frame.  It also has the concave firing pin that I've seen others mention as an indicator that it was imported from Italy.

What do you guys think?  Did I overpay for this?  I'm in my waiting period so I haven't been able examine the gun closely yet.  It did look nice.

Thanks for any advice/wisdom.

[Major 2]

Perhaps a Tad  ...I bought one myself for some less, though mine was a 3 1/2"

But what I got was a VERY NICE gun....  very nice indeed

I don't think you did to bad  

[wileycoyote]

just doesn't matter what you paid. if you like it, enjoy it. they're fine shooters and fun to own.

besides, in the long run will be a much better investment than a few meals out at a fancy restaurant.

[Coffinmaker]

Check all markings closely.  Sounds like what you have is a "USPFA."  USFA started out as US Patent Firearms.  Actually, for a nickel USPFA, unfired, you didn't do bad at $800.  That is about fair market value.

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

+1 to what Coffinmaker said.  If it is indeed a USFA it will have U.S. Pat. Firearms Co. on it.  IF it only says Uberti, then you have a Uberti.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Greetings Jed,
US Fire Arms started out, in 1993, as US Patent Fire Arms.  In 1994 they dropped the word Patent from their name after the threat of legal action was brought against them by Colt.
From 1993 to 2000 USFA's were made up primarily of Uberti parts that were fit and finished at their Hartford plant.  During this time period USFA started a slow transition over to all US made parts.  The year 2000 is generally accepted as the point where the transition to all US was complete.
If your gun is marked USPFA then it is a very early, probably first year model.  If it is marked USFA, the Uberti marking on the barrel would indicate that it was also an early gun, probably mid 90's.  After the first few years the Uberti markings disappeared, even though they were still using Uberti parts.
As you have no doubt noticed, the fit and finish of your gun is superior to what you would typically expect from an Uberti SAA.  USFA started earning their reputation for quality before they made the conversion to "all US made."  $800?  Not a great price, but a good price for an unfired, nickel plated, early USFA.   I think you did okay!
CJF     

[Jed Irons]

Thanks, guys, you made me feel a lot better about it.  I was just worried I'd paid about $200 more than market value.  Capt. John, thank you particularly for the history lesson.  I was looking for a run-down just like that.

[Deadeye Don]

Sounds like a great looking gun. Pictures?

[Jed Irons]

All I have so far is the picture the seller sent me.  Once I have the gun I'll take better pictures of everything (the trades, the firing pin, etc.).

[jdpress]

Jed:

Your 7-1/2 inch Nickel revolver is beautiful and you will enjoy it for a long, long time.  It was definitely a very good investment and one that will bring you a lot of enjoyment.  You also have a nice piece of the early history for USFA which was the foundation for their long, quality production.

Well done,

J.D. Press

[Jughead]

Can you post the SN? XX OK. THANKS