Your Rarest USFA...

Capt. John Fitzgerald · June 03, 2015, 10:23:53 PM

I have a couple... I think!
Number one would be my 1851 Navy Richards mason conversion. Was told by the good folks at USFA, that "less than 35" were ever produced. A product of the late 1990's, it is, obviously, an all Italian (Uberti) parts gun that is beautifully finished. Serial number is 2048. I had a presentation case made for it by www.billscases.com. It has never been fired and I keep it as an example of the transition period between cap-and-ball and cartridge.
Number two - and this one is "iffy" - would be my matte nickel (Rodeo II) finished Double Eagle, serial number 73150, that was ordered from USFA right toward the end of their SAA production. Gun was originally ordered with the bright nickel finish but when it came in it had the Rodeo II matte finish. Was told by Gary Granger, here on this board, that he was unaware of any Double Eagles with that finish. Later I saw another, just like it, for sale on GunBroker. Lord only knows how many DE's left the factory in satin nickel. I can only hope that there weren't too many!

Pangaea · June 04, 2015, 08:53:42 AM

No pictures, it never happened, as they say. It would be interesting to have a list of all the rare USFAs produced. Another project for Yahoody maybe?

GaryG · June 04, 2015, 09:35:13 AM

The rarest one I ever saw (& never sold) was a Dragoon covered to fire 44sp. To load it, twist the barrel 90 degrees, pull the barrel, pull out the cylinder, and load it. Reverse the process and it's ready to go. The barrel locking mechanism was beneath the frame and didn't use the wedge. Of course, no pictures.

DagNabIt · June 04, 2015, 11:59:49 AM

I have two nickel plated 1860 Richard Masons Conversions in consecutive serial numbers that I think are rare. I was told less than a dozen were made.

Major 2 · June 04, 2015, 12:03:28 PM

Quote from: GaryG on June 04, 2015, 09:35:13 AM
The rarest one I ever saw (& never sold) was a Dragoon covered to fire 44sp. To load it, twist the barrel 90 degrees, pull the barrel, pull out the cylinder, and load it. Reverse the process and it's ready to go. The barrel locking mechanism was beneath the frame and didn't use the wedge. Of course, no pictures.

could have been another of Dave Anderson's beauties

yahoody · June 04, 2015, 01:00:19 PM

Ha, ha, like Phillip, I went back some time ago and read every thread listed here CAS.
There are so many rare guns...basically one offs that USFA did over time that it's sorta crazy.

Guns that seem rare to me from reading what Gary has written mostly..
US made Nickel inspector guns in anything besides 45Colt come to mind.
The 7.5" Sheriff's? Any of the factory engraved guns? The 1911s?

Old Armory, real Colt sized clones?

Of my personal guns? Other than being USA made guns nothing there I would consider rare.
Someone will eventually catalog this stuff and write a wonderful book. It won't be me and likely not in my lifetime.

tonyxit · June 15, 2015, 01:45:20 PM

Lot's of good learning info here...I have a Nettleton nickel w/ black grips NIB....surely another special order??....Factory class C engraved sheriff NIB....USFA will be a learning process for some time I guess.....Tony

yahoody · November 15, 2020, 10:21:34 PM

5 year old thread. But some rare, USA made, USFA guns that are better known today.

Anything in .455 or 32-20. 44-40 FSSs are not common. Rare? Anything over a 4" Sheriff's model. I know of one.

No question US made Nickel (or anything but 45 Colt) Inspector Series guns. Old Armory*, real Colt sized clones?

7.5" Rodeos. or a BP frame Rodeo

Any gun that was built to be a copy of a Colt Serial number.

USA made Custer Series as an Artillery 5.5". I know of one.

The V notch, narrow front blade with a cross pin frame. I've seen 3. (as of 12/16/20)

There are more one off guns documented. Those are just off the top of my head tonight.

Professor Marvel · November 16, 2020, 02:49:09 AM

Well the USFA's are VERY rare in this ffrugal household....

but I can offer for suggestions:

The USFA Patriot SA, a .30 carbine SAA
Gary said that ~ 5 were made?
see https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=58688.0

from https://gunsgunsguns.net/usfa-us-30/#more-6466

The USFA .45 ACP Lend Lease - a .45 ACP SAA a 5 1/2" built on a cross-pin steel frame.
It replicates guns the Unites States sent to its European Allies during WWII under the Lend-Lease program.
These Single Action revolvers are historically accurate firearms with a lanyard loop and a special "AUTOMATIC 45" rollmark on the barrel.

from https://gunsgunsguns.net/usfa-45-acp-lend-lease/#more-6464

yhs
prof marvel

JoeW658 · November 19, 2020, 06:24:56 PM

After this thread, and the ZIP, I'm fairly certain Doug D was heavily into psilocybin mushrooms at the end.

Major 2 · November 20, 2020, 05:55:33 AM

I believe the rareist may have been the rainbow guns.
Only one complete set was produced as I recall

https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=55705.0

Galen · November 20, 2020, 08:45:15 AM

I have a nickel 7 1/2" Sheriff's model. I'd post a photo if I knew how.

Dave T · November 20, 2020, 09:26:05 AM

Quote from: yahoody on November 15, 2020, 10:21:34 PM
...or a BP frame Rodeo...

Have you ever seen one of these? Wish they weren't rare as I would surly like to have one. I just prefer the black powder frame's retention of the cylinder pin.

Dave

yahoody · November 20, 2020, 10:27:06 AM

I have. Pulled it apart and refinished it in blue and case

Dave T · November 20, 2020, 06:47:00 PM

Well I'm just green with envy! (smiley face goes here)

Dave

yahoody · November 20, 2020, 06:57:37 PM

Don't be your BP gun is better

GaryG · November 22, 2020, 07:45:17 AM

Perhaps not so rare as we did 10 of them. USFA built 10 Rodeos designed for 32 cal wax bullets. These were done for an indoor CAS event but can't remember the exact details. Anyway, when they were returned to USFA, we fitted 32-20 cylinders and they were purchased by a dealer NY state. They also had special numbering.