1851 USFA

[hatman]

 I've become interested in purchasing an 1851 conversion.
A prominent online site is advertising a "rare" USFA with a CCH/cc/blued barrel finish for $2000.
I must admit it is stunningly beautiful, but I'm wondering if that price is reasonable.

I only buy guns to shoot them; that's why I'm leaning toward a Uberti clone, but damn, that USFA is beautiful.
Any thoughts?

[Major 2]

They are pretty and rare w/ USPFA rolled on and BTW Uberti themselves... $2000 is out of line.
Though it might well bring it 

[St. George]

If you're leaning towards a Uberti clone - by buying the USFA, you'd be getting a Uberti clone.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

that's what I said...couse you said it better 

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

I have one that I bought new in the late 90's.  Less than 35 of them were made and they are marked both USPFA and USFA.  Mine is marked USFA.

[Major 2]

I have one of the even rarer 1860's .. I think 15 were made and marked USPFA it was displaied at the 1993 Shot Show. I was told , and it was gifted to the PO .
It was on consignment at a friends local Gun store... I actually traded a NIB Uberti 1860 Army ( which in turn I had traded for )
and 3 SJ holsters for it no cash outlay.

It is vey nice piece, I've shot it very sweet action but a tad light in the trigger for me...

[Pettifogger]

If you want something a little more dolled up than a stock Uberti get a Colt 2nd Gen.  About the same as the USFA, outsourced parts fitted by USFA/Colt.  But, the Colt will be cheaper.  As a practical matter, the current production Ubertis are pretty darn nice.  Any of them will need work before shooting a lot, so you might as well start with the cheapest model since you are going to have to put some money/work into it anyway.

Just re-read your post and you said you wanted a "conversion."  It is a lot more cost effective to buy a current production Uberti that is already "converted" than to buy a cap and ball and convert it.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

The 1851 Navy that Hatman is referring to is one of USFA's .38 cal. Richards Mason conversion models.  Very few, less than 35, were made back in the 90's.  USFA also turned out a number of percussion 1851's, how many I don't know.  Both percussion and conversion were made up from Uberti parts.  Like all the early USFA's, fit and finish were far superior to anything coming out of Uberti at the time (or since, for that matter). 

[hatman]

If you want something a little more dolled up than a stock Uberti get a Colt 2nd Gen.  About the same as the USFA, outsourced parts fitted by USFA/Colt.  But, the Colt will be cheaper.  As a practical matter, the current production Ubertis are pretty darn nice.  Any of them will need work before shooting a lot, so you might as well start with the cheapest model since you are going to have to put some money/work into it anyway.

Just re-read your post and you said you wanted a "conversion."  It is a lot more cost effective to buy a current production Uberti that is already "converted" than to buy a cap and ball and convert it.

OK thanks for the info.
Yes, I would definitely go with a converted revolver.   I'm not into C&B at this point.

I failed to mention last night that I'd heard rumors that the USFA was really a Uberti.  You guys have confirmed that.
I just re-checked the pictures and it's marked USFA.

[hatman]

The 1851 Navy that Hatman is referring to is one of USFA's .38 cal. Richards Mason conversion models.  Very few, less than 35, were made back in the 90's.  USFA also turned out a number of percussion 1851's, how many I don't know.  Both percussion and conversion were made up from Uberti parts.  Like all the early USFA's, fit and finish were far superior to anything coming out of Uberti at the time (or since, for that matter). 

Yessir, that is correct.  It's being advertised as 38 special.
What drew my eye is the nickel-silver frame/backstrap and lovely rich grips.
However, paying 4 times more for a standard Uberti seems a bridge too far.

[GaryG]

This was before my time but most of the the BP revolvers and conversions were made from Uberti parts.  However, there are some ASM (Army San Marco) 1860 conversions out there also. 

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Well, the 1851 Richards Mason conversion sold on GunBroker for $2325.00.  Four bids - starting bid was $1999.99.

[Major 2]

They are pretty and rare w/ USPFA rolled on and BTW Uberti themselves... $2000 is out of line.
Though it might well bring it  

Posted by: Capt. John Fitzgerald 

"Well, the 1851 Richards Mason conversion sold on GunBroker for $2325.00.  Four bids - starting bid was $1999.99. "


well it did then  ... cool .... to be certain someone has the money to burn !

[hatman]

Well, the 1851 Richards Mason conversion sold on GunBroker for $2325.00.  Four bids - starting bid was $1999.99.

Holy Smoke.
/thread   

[Long Johns Wolf]

Hatman & campfire: if this USFA 1851 conversion was "custom" converted at USFA in Hartford from an USFA/Uberti C&B Navy it should justify a higher price than one of the beefed-up Uberti 1851 Navy factory conversions finely fitted and finished at USFA.
My 2 € Cents.
Long Johns Wolf

[Buckaroo Lou]

I greatly appreciate USFA revolvers and would dearly love to find a couple models I have always admired but it is quickly moving beyond my means and I will only be able to admire them from a distance.

[Graveyard Jack]

As much as I would love to have a USFA cartridge conversion, don't know if I could pay that much for one unless it was engraved and/or stocked in ivory.

That said, it's still made from Uberti parts. So rather than that, I think I might have my Cimarron Open Top engraved and finished in charcoal blue by Turnbull, with case colored hammer and trigger and fire blued screws. Which will still be less than $2000, including the initial investment and the TruIvory grips.

[Cliff Fendley]

Well, the 1851 Richards Mason conversion sold on GunBroker for $2325.00.  Four bids - starting bid was $1999.99.

That's crazy!