If You Had To Pick Just One!!!!!

[fourfingersofdeath]

1873 was a good year for me, I'd keep my H&R Replica Trapdoor (Little Big Horn Commemmorative), my 1873 Ubeauty Sporting rifle and my Pietta Colt clones (all three are in 44/40) and I'd be good to go with my custom HP/FP (reversible pin) Gould mould, my Mav Dutchman mould and my very old Lee44 cal HP mould! Cowboy/hunting, these guns would do it all for me.

[Blair]

1873 was a good year for firearms development.
I would, however, suggest a search for when Colt introduced the 44 WCF in their revolvers. (otherwise known as 44 Winchester Center Fire or 44-40)
This may not be much of a historical impression date change, until one takes into account shipping new arms into new Territories.

Example:
An 1849 Colt pocket pistol did not show up in the California gold fields in 1849
Although, that likely hood was much better than an 1873 Colt SAA showing up in the '49 gold fields.

Historical context really is everything when it comes to firearms.
  Blair

[The Trinity Kid]

Remington New Model Army being used during the 1848/9 California Gold Rush. Can't happen Historically. 

You have to take into account, gold mining in California was huge up into the 1930's and even 40's.  Just two weeks ago I was walking on a ditch to supply water to a mine that went belly up in 1914.  I think the Remington NMA was around for a while by that time.  And, as a side note, two years ago I pulled about ten dollars of shiny yellow stuff out of the ground.

--TK

[Pappy Myles]

I like the comment about guns being like shoes, gotta have a selection.  But mine for cap and ball, ruger old army, fixed sights..  Too bad they are out of production.  I think I got the last pair, or pretty much close to the last pair

[fourfingersofdeath]

1873 was a good year for firearms development.
I would, however, suggest a search for when Colt introduced the 44 WCF in their revolvers. (otherwise known as 44 Winchester Center Fire or 44-40)
This may not be much of a historical impression date change, until one takes into account shipping new arms into new Territories.

Example:
An 1849 Colt pocket pistol did not show up in the California gold fields in 1849
Although, that likely hood was much better than an 1873 Colt SAA showing up in the '49 gold fields.

Historical context really is everything when it comes to firearms.
  Blair

Interesting, but I'm not strong on authenticity, I bought the Piettas and 1873 together as I was sick of having problems with my 1866 (turns out there was nothing wrong with the rifle, it just didn't like the cases I was feeding it, D'Oh!). I was cashed up at the time and wanted matching revolvers and rifle and also bought an IAG Colt Clone hammer gun. I paid to get them tuned so that I was off to a good restart, wrong! one revolver was like a Swiss watch and the other guns all had problems, the shotgun, still not reliable several years later (faulty manafacture, need to modify the internals somewhat). I was already set up for the 44/40 and that was what was available at the time. I like the guns, just feel good in my hands. Although the clones chop  my hands up some with warthog loads.

I have a pair of Ruger Old Armies I like as well.