U. S. Army Colt

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

I hope I am asking this in the correct place, but I was wondering who makes the most authentic reproduction of the 1873 Colt as I would like to get some for CAS?

[Drydock]

If you're asking about the Military Issue M1973 Colt, for the money it would be the Cimmerron 7th Cavalry model.

[Pitspitr]

If you're asking about the Military Issue M1973 Colt, for the money it would be the Cimmerron 7th Cavalry model.

+1

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

That's the one.  Thanks for the information.  Now to find one.

[Drydock]

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/cartridge-revolvers/model-p-1873-1896/u-s-cavalry-1.html


Don't get the charcoal blue one.  Army SAAs were rust blued.

[G.W. Strong]

Try Davisdon's Gallery of Guns. They can get one to your loval dealer. I just bought one this winter from them.

[CPL Jayhawker Jake]

http://www.davidsonsinc.com/dealers/prod_images/PP514M00.jpg

This is the model I purchased though Davidson's.  Looks very different that the Uberti model.  Which would be more historically accurate?

[Drydock]

Do you have the gun in hand?  That looks to be a standard file photo of a standard model.  The actual Cavalry model may be quite different.

[Memphis]

I have a related question to this post. Can anyone point out the differences between the Cimarron 7th Cavalry by Pietta and the Uberti version of the same? Is one more historically accurate than the other? Ideally, I would love to get a USFA Ainsworth, but the prices are getting more and more out of reach. So what is the next best alternative between the Pietta and Uberti 7th Cavalry versions?

Please forgive me if this has already been asked and answered. I tried the search function and did not come up with much. Thank you all once again for your help. Your expertise is much appreciated.

[Drydock]

Well, I'm not sure what you mean here.  The Cimmerron 7th over time has been made by both companies.  Each was tasked to make the weapon with the proper markings defined by Cimmeron.  If it is a Cimmerron 7th, no matter what the manufacturer, it will have the proper markings.  Some of the early Uberties had the Hammer block safety in the hammer, but later ones dispensed with this in favor of the Pietta overlong cylinder pin.  Uberti makes a replacement  hammer for those who wish to eliminate this feature on the early guns, and most have been replaced.  Piettas have always had the correct hammer.  The Piettas are a little closer in dimension as well, mostly in that the Ubertis have a slightly overlarge cylinder, but this is meaningless on the line. 

Both currently come with the overlong cylinder pin safety, along with the thumbscrew cylinder pin.  But you will find a standard retaining screw in the box, and the first thing I do is swap out the long pin for a standard length Colt pin.

Now. If you're talking about one of the several "Cavalry" models made by Uberti for their own brand as well as various other importers,   then there is a difference: the Caliber markings.  On virtualy all saa repros other than the 7th, the caliber is stamped on the barrel as "45 Colt".  On the 7th, as on the original military SAAs, the caliber is instead marked on the side of the triggerguard, as a simple "45". There are some other differences, but that is the most significant to those looking for a Military marked repro SAA.

[Drydock]

Ah, after taking a closer look at the current website, I see what you're talking about.

The difference: The Uberti carries, in addition to the standard military markings, additional marking on the but detailing the gun to the 7th cavalry.  The current Pietta does not have these additional markings.  All other markings appear correct.

Something to know: Very few revolvers had unit markings, before being dropped for economic reasons. I'm not really sure any of the few recovered 7th cavalry Colts actualy had such markings.  Really, unless you're collecting 7th Cavalry commemoratives, I'd get the Pietta.

Glad to know Cimmerron is marketing this revolver.

[Memphis]

Thanks for your help, Drydock. I apologize if my question wasn't clear to begin with. I was basically wondering if Pietta or Uberti was closer to an original military-issue SAA in terms of dimensions, look, features, or any other details.

I haven't seen either locally, but the Pietta version seems to be more common online currently. I remember reading in the past that some found Uberti to be of better quality than Pietta, but if those issues are gone, I see no reason to hold out for the Uberti version. Please correct me if I am mistaken.

[Drydock]

I've had both, liked both.  Both are generaly good quality, both can have occasional problems.  Both are dimensionaly close enough as makes no difference.  Were one of each in front of me, whichever had the better markings would be the one I'd get. 

In this case, no, I'd not hold out.