USA Rodeo understanding

[Black River Smith]

In another posting I have been have a discussion with Buckaroo Lou and Dave T about what is an all USA made gun.  Now I just went back to Yahoody's posted stickie 'USA or Parts' and came across the serial designations.  It was my stupid belief that a Rodeo (which I think I can afford) could have had either an all numeric or letter/number SN.  Now with the new understand and opened minded look I have become aware that a Rodeo had its own designation letters and 3 digit number, only.

Now if this is all true with no exceptions and the info that GaryG once gave that USA firearms only started with the letter D.

Ds and after are US.  There were no Cs.

Then I only have to find a 'to-buy' Matte black finish revolver with a SN having a letter D or higher.  Right!

Now I understand Captain William Calls posting 'USA Rodeo' which is the same question and the given answer.

So, I am reaching now.  But by deduction I am now believing that 'a revolver designated the 'Rodeo', a matte finish, was not offered until after USFA started making all it own parts in the USA.'  Is this a correct assumption?

All this questioning before I have even handled a USFA revolver!!!!

(editted)

[The Pathfinder]

Nope. I've got a pair of them with an 'A' prefix that I bought back in the 90's when they were first announced. Very nice pair and have never failed me even if they were made with Italian parts. Least I think it was still in the 90's, memory is going as I get older. I do remember they ran me under $900 for the pair tho'.

[Black River Smith]

Ok, so adding your evidence to GaryG, then USFA/USpFA had letters for the Rodeo as:

[A, B,] are Uberti   [D, E, F ......] are US Made

Interesting and thanks for providing this correction.


(editted on 4/25)

[Buckaroo Lou]

Black River Smith,

My understanding is all Rodeo II's the ones with the satin nickel finish are USA made and the satin black Rodeo beginning with the prefix D. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Although in an early style box I believe this to be an all USA made Rodeo and the serial number indicates as much.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=554786537

[Black River Smith]

Lou,

Thanks for the clarification.

I guess I should have added in the title that the firearm I am strictly referring to is the Matte Black and not the satin nickel both under the Rodeo Model name.

I am still learning here, because I did not understand that the satin nickel was a Rodeo that came later.

[Old Doc]

Kind of scandalous what some folks are asking for $600 Rodeos .

[yahoody]

Kind of scandalous what some folks are asking for $600 Rodeos .

Ya think?    Rodeos could be had in my area NIB back in the day for well under $600 and a Premium could be had (and I did several times over ) for $700. plus tax.

But to answer the original question Rodeos started at the A prefix and were three digit after the letter.  A and B series guns were Uberti parts guns for the most part.  I have guns up to the L Series in the 3 and 4 hundred range.  LH was another Series for the Rodeo going to Long Hunter the gun smith, a USFA dealer at the time.