USFA Serial numbers..definative? Help make it so?

[Artmat55]

Hello, New to this forum.
I have a USFA, purchased new in 2005. I can't find the receipt and just recently started to fire this SAA. Was thinking of downsizing and was going to sell this gun, but decided it's fun to target shoot with.  The serial number is 58762.  It has Ivory grips and is the rustic look, 5 ½" barrel.  There's no description on the box.  How can I tell what type of grip, Ivory or fake?
Thanks,
Art

[yahoody]

Hi Art,
The model you have was called a "Gunslinger".  The serial number and finish tell us that.  The grips are very likely "true ivory" which is a synthetic grip material and not actual ivory.  "True ivory" came in several color variations, from white to dark yellow imitation age of the fake ivory.   Good photos here would help greatly.

Here is another Gunslinger with aged "true ivory".
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/revolvers/usfa-pistols---revolvers/usfa--quot-gunslinger-quot--in--45-colt.cfm?gun_id=101363270

More about the USFA Gunslinger:
https://www.gunblast.com/USFA-Gunslinger.htm

[Dave T]

I have three Gunslinger (I hate that name) models from USFA. A 4-3/4" in 38 Special and a 5-1/2" in 45 Colt. Those two guns have the so called 'smokeless powder frame' with spring loaded cross bolts to retain the cylinder pins. The last one and my favorite is a 7-1/2" black powder framed 45 Colt. On the latter two guns I have sanded down the checkering on the factory "hard rubber" stocks. I'm no artisan but they do look quite a bit more used and more appropriate for the aged appearance of the guns.

If I could post pictures on this forum I would show them to you all but alas it is not to be. My digital skills are limited to e-mail and posting responses like this. In any event I do like the Gunslinger models from USFA. I missed out on one in 44 WCF recently by waiting too long. Picture me with a very sad face.

Dave

[Tall Scout]

Folks,
I just bought a USFA Rodeo 4 ¾" barrel 45 Colt . Looks little used and is tight and pristine.All great except the serial number is D 1xx.
It looks to be a total USFA US made made gun and the fit is impressive.  Matte Finish. and the number 70 is on a sticker on a hand grip as well as the metal of the grip.
Two piece rubber grips.

Can anyone shed some light on where this fits in the scheme of things?

[yahoody]

D serial number Rodeos were the beginning of the USA made guns.  It may not be made of all USA parts.

Post a photo of the hammer spur checkering is a good start, if you want more info.

[Tall Scout]

I looked closely at the various parts ilustrated by others, and everything  external seems US  made. the very low serial number [144]  had me confused.
So this is an early version of the rodeo? 1992 ish manufacture?

Thanks to everyone for your help and information by the way.

[yahoody]

All Rodeos have a serial number, using a letter prefix.

"D" prefix was second to "A" I believe.   Numbers after the letter typically didn't go past 999.

Early D Rodeos are very seldom (as in I have yet to see one) all USA parts.

Good photos of your hammer serrations and the firing pin shape are a good place to start.

[Tall Scout]

I have tried to upload a couple of jpegs a couple oftimes... nothing seems to work...

[Tall Scout]

Try again ...

[yahoody]

Nice.  Your gun has a USA made hammer and cone firing pin.  Frame is USA made as well.

[Tall Scout]

Thank You, so it would seem to be a US parts made gun.
All the "70" markings also make me think the parts were fitted to the frame specifically.

Looking forward to seeing how it shoots.

[TXGR]

In the pinned and locked thread on "US or parts?" there is a link to a blogspot page where the serial number data was going to be kept I believe, but the specific page is now missing. Is there an updated link to the serial number data or compiled list?

I just bought a USFA single action. In the process of learning about the various models and timeline of USFA for the specific gun, I became curious about the transition from Uberti made parts to all US made parts.

Mine should be all US made. I haven't physically received the gun yet, but the serial number (#282xx) should make it a late manufacture single action.

Thanks for all the information in the threads. They were very useful.

[yahoody]

282xx will be a late USA production gun.  One of the last few made actually.

[TXGR]

Thanks.

Is the spreadsheet or file still available of the list you compiled?

[Galen]

What category would a Rodeo B 4XX fall in? By the way it's the best shooting SA I own.

[Buckaroo Lou]

I think all A&B prefixed Rodeos were Italian parts guns. I am sure someone that knows for certain will chime in before long.

[thirteenandy]

None of mine are in the 22xxx range. Would you be interested in cataloguing serial numbers to make a rough "when was it made" database?