Question concerning USFA birdshead model.

Buckaroo Lou · July 03, 2013, 12:01:03 AM

I am certain there are some of you here who are in the know about the different USFA models, so can anyone tell me if they know whether or not USFA's birdshead model is made from US parts or Italian parts? The Blue Book says they were produced between 1997-2002. I am attempting to purchase one that looks to have bone charcoal case colors and possibly armory blue finish and a 5 digit serial number.

Thanks, Louis

Capt. John Fitzgerald · July 03, 2013, 05:47:40 PM

Lou,
It's hard to say. First off, that Blue Book information doesn't sound correct to me. The only real "production" bird's head guns that I am aware of were the Double Eagles, and they were produced after 2002, right up 'til the bitter end" of USFA. In addition to the DE's I believe there were also some ejectorless "sheriff" models as well. USFA did make a few guns with the bird's head grips prior to that but they were a custom, special order item. Examples can be found in some of USFA's early catalogs. I would imagine that some of those early examples were made up from Uberti, or Uberti & US made, parts.
Have you looked at the firing pin? Most all of the Uberti guns have the concave style firing pin. When USFA converted over to all US made they started using the conical style pin.
CJF

Buckaroo Lou · July 03, 2013, 08:27:50 PM

Capt. John,

Here are some pictures and I believe the firing pin is concave.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · July 03, 2013, 09:05:58 PM

With the concave firing pin and the shape of the grips, which appear to be slightly different from the Double Eagle, I would guess, and it is just a guess, that it is one of the early guns made up of Uberti parts.

Buckaroo Lou · July 04, 2013, 10:25:41 AM

Well shucks.

It looks like I now own a high dollar Uberti. Guess I should have waited, but was afraid it would get away before I was able to know for certain. Just goes to show that you win some and you loose some as things may not always seem as they appear. A good lesson in patience always being the best policy. Thanks to you guys for the information.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · July 04, 2013, 12:49:18 PM

Sorry! That hinged box is also another indicator of an early production gun.

Major 2 · July 05, 2013, 05:33:44 AM

Nice piece....

Buckaroo Lou · July 05, 2013, 11:59:50 AM

Thanks, Major 2

It is a nice looking little piece and though not entirely USA made I am sure it is still a quality little revolver. Fit and finish look very nice. I have not received it yet so until it hits my hot little hands I am unable to make a fair assessment.

Thanks to all for your input.

Louis

Major 2 · July 05, 2013, 01:42:15 PM

I expect you will be quite please, my own is a plow handle and nickeled.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · July 06, 2013, 12:40:55 AM

Lou,
I doubt if you will be disappointed. The early USFA guns were head and shoulders above the Uberti imports. Parts were fit with much more care and the finish is far superior. It may have Uberti parts but it is definitely a USFA.

Major,
That is one beautiful SA!

Buckaroo Lou · July 06, 2013, 01:42:01 PM

Capt. John,

I don't think I will be disappointed either especially since I didn't pay what they are currently going for on some of the current auction sites. I also like that it has the early BP frame.

Major 2,

That is a very sharp looking piece and rig. Very nice.

Major 2 · July 06, 2013, 05:49:13 PM

Thank you, I actually made a second holster for it as well.

I was surprised to win the gun on Gunbroker, it had starting price and no reserve, with no bidders just 2 to go....
I bid $1 the minimum over the starting price and a $50 hidden bid.... I had a lunch meeting to attend so
several hours had passed, and I was in the dark till I got home ...figured I was out bid !

I had won for the $1 bid !

Buckaroo Lou · July 06, 2013, 07:40:09 PM

Major 2,

That second holster is the cat's meow.

I was not patient like you. With the way they are selling now I jumped on the sellers buy-it-now price, which was actually reasonable for a USFA gun.

Major 2 · July 06, 2013, 08:17:06 PM

patient ? not me... I was chomping at the bit all through lunch , wondering .. I figured it was lost.

Thanks, that is a Sterling Silver Concho, that just seems to add the right bling.

Buckaroo Lou · July 08, 2013, 09:13:38 PM

Laid my hot little hands on my new-to-me USFA Birdshead today.

Capt. John, you were correct. I am not disappointed. It is truly a very nice little revolver especially since the price was in line with Blue Book values. Now I will continue my search for a USFA Bisley.

Coffinmaker · July 21, 2013, 11:43:06 PM

I have two USFA Double Eagle guns and they are very nice indeed. The hard rubber grips had to have been fit to the grip frames when the frames were still in the white. The fit is just that close. In fact the fit and finish are just superb. Showing a little holster wear now as I shoot them for CAS on a regular basis. Slightly modified to be CAS legal and a bit more fun.
I have fit a pair of .45 ACP cylinders (shoot C45S cases) , a pair of stainless Pietta hammers and Uberti nickel Model P grips. Really fun little guns to play with.

It would appear Lou's gun was also set up to shoot as the cylinder in the photo appears to have had its throats reamed (shiny, no blue). I just hope it's gonna get played with. Mine will never be "collectors" unless someone wants em holster worn and well shot. With APP in C45S cases they are an absolute HOOT to shoot

Coffinmaker