Cimarron, Taylors & Co, Uberti, etc - any difference?

[1972]

I've been looking for an 1866 Yellowboy rifle in .44-40 and have a chance to buy a new one at a fair price.  It's a Cimarron by trade name, but as far as I know Uberti makes these rifles and they are marketed under the various names of Uberti themselves, Cimarron, Taylors & Co, and perhaps others as well.  So as far as I can tell, despite the fact that they all claim their rifle is better than the others - it doesn't really make any difference if it's called a Cimarron, a Taylors & Co, or s Uberti – it's exactly the same rifle but just packaged in a different box.

Is that correct or am I missing something here?

If there IS any difference – without bad mouthing any of them – does anybody have an opinion as to which one might be superior in any way ..... and why?

[Major 2]

You are correct...aside from Roll stamp and some other markings they are the same basic gun.

I had good service from Taylor's and some from Cimarron ( I've heard some CS issues from Cimarron, but they always been fine with me)

I've have good CS from Susan Webb in Italy as well ....

[Abilene]

There are some mechanical differences on some pistols, but on rifles the differences are cosmetic (plus different importers offer different finishes and different configurations).  As Major 2 mentioned, the only difference on an 1866 is that the Cimarron will be the only importer whose barrels have the "Kings Patent Improvement..." markings.

[1972]

I saw that "Kings Patent Improvement" marking on the barrel. I looked it up as best I could on the internet but wasn't able to find much.  I understand that was on some of the original Yellowboys?  Or all of them?

[Major 2]

King's improvement was the loading gate ( the 66 got the 2nd improvement ) The first King's Patent was on the Henry
adapting the the 1860 to a loading gate ... few were made , before the first model 1866 was introduced.
For a while, the 1860 Henry ( original design ) and the 1866 Yellowboy ( King's Patent ) were manufactured together until the Henry was discontinued....

Taylor ( Uberti ) offered a Henry with a Kings improvement for short run a  
few years back ( I don't think Cimarron carried them )
Prior to that , Happy Trails (Bill English) of the Smith Shop, would convert a customers Henry , Bill has since retired ....
I'm unaware if anyone is still offering the conversion.... and the Uberti is also discontinued.

[1972]

Thanks Major, I really appreciate your help.  This particular rifle I'm looking at buying is NIB and has the following stampings on the barrel:

Top line reads:  "Cimarron's Repeating Arms, Fredriksberg, Texas"

Bottom line reads"  Kings Improvement Patented March 29, 1866 – October 16, 1860"

So is there actually any difference in the rifles (the modern ones made by Uberti)?  Because this particular model from Cimarron has this stamping, and apparently whatever physical modifications go with it, does that mean this is somewhat unique?

I really like the rifle.

[Major 2]

No... more than likely, or perhaps , Harvey (owner of Cimarron ) might of had the roll stamp made on his dime, and there for propitiatory to his two outlets... Cimarron & Texas Jacks ...Cimarron has several retail dealers.... good chance they too have the King's date.

The stamp is just the stamp, adds a bit of authenticity,   no mods internally beyond that....

[Abilene]

Right, they are just markings.  Original '66's and '73's and '76's had the Kings Patent Improvement markings, so that's why the Cimarrons have them.  There have been a lot of other features on Uberti guns, and some guns themselves, that originally were Cimarron exclusives, but over the years some of those have become available to other importers.

[Virginia Gentleman]

I have always liked dealing with Taylor's and Company.  They are polite, responsive and have very good prices on their firearms.

[Daniel Dodge]

I get all of my stuff from Cimarron because they insist on more historically accurate markings. I've never been disappointed with the 20+ guns I've gotten from them.

Regards,
DD

[hp246]

I have always liked dealing with Taylor's and Company.  They are polite, responsive and have very good prices on their firearms.

I agree.  I've called them a couple of times.  They've gone out of their way to help.  The last time, I reached them, it was after hours.  They were still able to over night parts to me so I could get a fix done in time for a match.

[rbertalotto]

A few months ago CDNN was blowing them out. Around $600 if I remember correctly

[Abilene]

A few months ago CDNN was blowing them out. Around $600 if I remember correctly

That would probably have been Chaparrals which are not good.

[Yakima Red]

That would probably have been Chaparrals which are not good.

Have a '92 by these guys. Acquired it in a trade. I am not cheap, but I can be had. It does something different every time I had it out. I'm sticking to my '66 Uberti. Almost every match since '99. Magnificent rifle.