U.S. Made SAA's

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen, I've been reading some of the posts here to educate myself, as I might (slight chance) have an opportunity to trade into a USFA.  Are there any sure fire ways to tell if it's a U.S. made or Italian parts gun? 

[Coffinmaker]

  Niederlander 

Why . . . YES there are.  I don't necessarily know what they are.  I also don't care.  There are collectors out there just frothing at the mouth for "ALL USA" built USFA.  The guns built by USPFA as well as the early USFA (same company) from Uberti sourced parts are every bit as good as the "All USA."

I don't collect anything.  Have never been excited about High End SA guns.  However, if presented with a USPFA or USFA, at a competitive price, I might buy one.  Probably not though.  I would be better served by a nice stainless set of Great Western II by Pietta.

Play Safe Out There

[Niederlander]

I'd like one more really excellent quality SAA, besides my Frontier Six Shooter.  If I'd end up with this one it would be a trade.  Prices have gotten stupid on single actions.

[Niederlander]

False alarm.  Turns out he has an American Western Arms, not a U.S. Firearms.  I'll keep looking for a Colt.

[RRio]

  Niederlander 

Why . . . YES there are.  I don't necessarily know what they are.  I also don't care.  There are collectors out there just frothing at the mouth for "ALL USA" built USFA.  The guns built by USPFA as well as the early USFA (same company) from Uberti sourced parts are every bit as good as the "All USA."

I don't collect anything.  Have never been excited about High End SA guns.  However, if presented with a USPFA or USFA, at a competitive price, I might buy one.  Probably not though.  I would be better served by a nice stainless set of Great Western II by Pietta.

Play Safe Out There

You could tell through the serial numbers. Gary G on this board, might could answer that.

[Major 2]

False alarm.  Turns out he has an American Western Arms, not a U.S. Firearms.  I'll keep looking for a Colt.

AWA imported Armi San Marco (ASM) ...you probably already knew that 
I recall they had some nice guns.
Dave Anderson assembled some fine Richards & Masons .
I had one made by Dave Anderson  that was a USPFA Shot Show display gun in the mid 90's.

[Coffinmaker]

There was also "AWA USA" post AWA.  I don't recall where Richard sourced his parts from.  The AWA Ultimate was one FINE SA.  There weren't a lot of them though.

Play Safe Out There

[Major 2]

" The AWA Ultimate was one FINE SA". ... indeed


Mike ... I believe he bought out ASM

however tooling went to Pedersoli IIRC

[Niederlander]

How do you tell if it's an "Ultimate"?  Does it say that somewhere?

[Abilene]

How do you tell if it's an "Ultimate"?  Does it say that somewhere?

I don't know if it is marked or how you can visually tell, but I think the Ultimate had a coil main spring.

[Major 2]

I know they were roll marked " Peacekeeper " and that ran them afoul with "COLT" and an insuring a lawsuit for patent infringement.
AWA was also duplicating COLT  Eagle grips.

The guns were quite good, here are a pair ( not mine sadly )

[Niederlander]

From what I've found so far, they were supposed to be a "high end" SAA, to compete with Colt and U.S.F.A.  Whether they did or not I have no idea.  Anyone know if that's true?

[Major 2]

They never really got a chance , as I noted COLT  threatened a lawsuit , tangled them in litigations, lawyers and the such...
cost them in to oblivion...

They made some really nice looking guns....

read the back story here   https://rdougwicker.com/2018/04/11/western-wednesday-american-western-arms-peacekeeper/

[Virginia Gentleman]

Standard Manufacturing makes a USFA like SAA that is better than the Colts made today.  The Italians make some very well made and nicely finished guns for demanding importers like Taylors and Company, Cimarron and EMF.