Serial Numbers - Let's Support Yahoody!

[Pangaea]

I was inventorying my pistols, taking pictures for insurance and a 4 3/4 inch 38 special, serial number 22187 had the later cone firing pin and a Uberti frame.  First one in the bunch I have seen like this.   

[yahoody]

Interesting stuff as always.  From what we have collected prior:

21213 parts gun
21215 parts gun
21651 parts gun
22113 parts gun
22180 parts gun*  transitional guns by the # out of order?
22187 parts gun with a Uberti frame..cone firing pin (38Special)

22154 USA gun*  transitional guns by the # out of order?
22293 cone USA
22421  cone firing pin
22934 cone USA gun

Wonder if it was one of the last Uberti frames to be used?   May the answer is in the re-highlighted quote below...
Either way USFA left us with a good detective story to sort through.

...The FIRST saa numbered at the old colt plant was ser no 20100.... Made from imported UBERTI parts.  Prior to that the parts came in already numbered.   Imported parts (internally?)  were replaced with parts made in USA ......  At the time of the move to the new plant there were about 25 old uberti frames left and they were never used as new frames were being produced at the new bld.   ...... after the new plant was up and running no uberti parts were used.   In the event that an old uberti gun came back for repair it was updated to the new hammer trigger hand and bolt.  Firing pins do not always tell you when the gun was made as the cone pin was standard some times the conical was used in 38 or 357  calibers. The cone pin had a recoil plate with a .110 hole and conical was smaller.

I'd sure like to know the serial number of the FIRST USA made frame.   But so far it looks to be between 22100 and 22200.

[Pangaea]

I picked up a China Camp today, serial # cc 478.  The test target with it was dated 6/2003.

[Pangaea]

Here's an odd one.  I have a Buntline that has a serial number of 28853, but has a Uberti frame and firing pin. 

[markg44]

I think I remember reading that all the buntline frames were Uberti.

[Blackpowder Burn]

I'll add mine to the mix.......

25780 - Premium SAA, 44 WCF, 4-3/4" barrel, CCH Hammer, purchased from Long Hunter 2007
25781 - Premium SAA, 44 WCF, 4-3/4" barrel, CCH Hammer, purchased from Long Hunter 2007

L235 - Rodeo, 45 Colt, 4-3/4" barrel, purchased from Long Hunter 2008
L236 - Rodeo, 45 Colt, 4-3/4" barrel, purchased from Long Hunter 2008

Lightning Rifle #2115, 44 WCF carbine with a rifle buttstock and what appears to be upgraded wood. Purchased 2010 I think, but didn't keep records.

I spoke to Gary Granger and tried to order a Lightning, and he told me that USFA had ceased production by then, having made a total of "about" 400 rifles.  I then searched the internet and found mine on Gunbroker, NIB.

That's the lightning I'm shooting in my photo 

[yahoody]

Here's an odd one.  I have a Buntline that has a serial number of 28853, but has a Uberti frame and firing pin. 

disheartening at best

[usroady]

For my USFAs (Dates are from the fired cartridge envelopes):

Rodeo II Sheriff .45 Colt 3" SMB050 November 2007
Rodeo A667 .45 Colt 4-3/4" January 2002

Great effort - glad to contribute!  Mike.

[yahoody]

Thanks Mike!

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

BTT

[Joel6180]

I posted this gun elsewhere, so I imagine you have the info, but just in case, CB658, 45 Colt, Cowboy.  The only date I can find is red ink 9/11/09 on the safety & instruction manual.  Red ink has also underlined many places in the manual under important information.  I didn't know if this was owner's or manufacturers dates & markings.

[hanover67]

My Single Action USFA .44 Special has a serial number of 28657. It is a 4 3/4, full dome blue Single Action model with black rubber grips. My invoice from my gun dealer is August 2011 but the gun was original ordered in 2009. I'm pretty sure it was made in 2011, close to the date is was received. The box contains no date information or test target, only a form to register it for a "Lifetime Warranty"...

[GaryG]

If your gun was ordered in 2009 but not delivered until Aug 20011, the build process wasn't started until Jun/Jul 2011.  Any red underling or highlighting was done by the original owner

[yahoody]

Gary, Any idea how high the numbers went as the shop closed?

[buckhammer]

Hi,
I have a Matt blue Rodeo S/N S667 I bought about 3 years ago from a guy at my gun range.  I'd like to know about what year it was made, I'm guessing is was one of the last Rodeo's before USFA closed up.  It's a 45 Colt with 5 1/2 barrel.  I have since turned it into a Premier model.  Nicest SAA I have even before I had it redone by Longhunters in Amarillo.  Checked my matching box and it has a date of 2006 inside the lid on the USFA Label.  The owner's manual has a date of 2004

[charleshammond]

I have a USFA bought 01/15/2017 from Main Street Guns, Bayboro, NC, it is Bone Blue, with a serial number of D913. Can you give me any information on it?

[yahoody]

By the picture and the number it looks to be a USA made Rodeo.

[The Pathfinder]

I guess I should add my paltry few as well.

Henry Nettleton 47119, a Uberti parts gun, bbl is USPFA, I got it used in 1999 or 2000.
Rodeos, A720 and A724,45 Colt, 4 3/4", Uberti parts guns, bought around 1997 or 98, I had to wait almost 6 months after I ordered them.
Rodeo Sheriff, SMA049, matte blue, USA gun, bought around 2007.
Doug Turnbull pair, 44 WCF, 7 1/2", BP frames 737DT, 738DT, bought around 2011 or 12. Look to be US parts.

Well, there's my half dozen, hope they help add to the confusion.

[satchmo]

I have two to add:

4 3/4 45 Colt Pre War SN 23659  Has cone firing pin but hammer does not appear to have hand cut checkering. USA gun?

5 1/2 45 Colt Pre War SN 26014  Appears to be 100% USA gun.

Bought both guns in 2011 used.  Have no idea when they were originally purchased, sorry.

[yahoody]

4 3/4 45 Colt Pre War SN 23659  Has cone firing pin but hammer does not appear to have hand cut checkering. USA gun?

Thanks for the additions gentlemen.


Fully 100% USA made guns started around 22500.  So you are well above those numbers on 23659.  You should have hand cut checkering on the hammer. 

Here are three of the hand cut USFA hammer patterns used...but there could be others as well.