USPtFA guns.

[RRio]

I've read about Italian parts USFAs and USPtFA in different threads on here.  Here are my USPtFAs. Believe it or not, the 4 3/4" is a .357 magnum. (USFA only made .38 Specials)

[Abilene]

Nice looking guns.

.357 is the second most popular caliber of SAA reproductions, so nothing unusual about that.  But that is one of the oddest caliber markings I have seen on a repro. 

[RRio]

Nice looking guns.

.357 is the second most popular caliber of SAA reproductions, so nothing unusual about that.  But that is one of the oddest caliber markings I have seen on a repro. 

USFA did not make .357s, only .38 Specials.

[Buckaroo Lou]

USFA did not make .357s, only .38 Specials.

I think Abilene was referring to other reproduction manufacturers other than USFA. Lots of Uberti and Pietta .357 reolvers. I think the USPtFA guns were Uberti guns shipped in the white and fit and finished here in the USA. Is that not correct?

[Abilene]

Oh yeah, I forgot that USFA mostly chambered them in .38.  But was USPFA the same?  It's still a strange barrel marking. 

[RRio]

Oh yeah, I forgot that USFA mostly chambered them in .38.  But was USPFA the same?  It's still a strange barrel marking. 

That is correct. USPtFA got sued over the "Pt" and changed to USFA, was my understanding of the whole affair. Maybe Gary G.. could shed some light on it.

[Abilene]

I didn't mean were they the same company, I meant did the USPFA guns also come in mostly .38 or only after they changed the name.

[RRio]

I didn't mean were they the same company, I meant did the USPFA guns also come in mostly .38 or only after they changed the name.

They started out as the same company working under the old Colt Blue Dome, but after they got sued by Colt for the "Patent" thing, and changed their name to USFA, I think that is when stopped offering them in .357  magnum.
It is still a beautiful gun, although it has Uberti parts in it. CCH and blue is definitely Turnbull quality.

[Buckaroo Lou]

It is still a beautiful gun, although it has Uberti parts in it. CCH and blue is definitely Turnbull quality.

Absolutely! They had some of the best CCH ever. I used to own a 7 1/2" in .357 but sold it. I have regretted it ever since. Althouh there haven't been many, I wish I would have kept all the USFA's I have had my hands on.

[Stormy and Moose]

RRio very nice guns - can you please tell us the serial number range on your 2 USPtFA's?
I recently purchased this USPtFA and it is P 13800. The attention to detail on these early USPt's is incredible with flawless Turnbull finishing. With as little as these guns cost new and knowing what Turnbull charged back then in the '90's I can't believe there was much profit?  I am mainly a lifelong Colt collector but I own several USPtFA and USFA guns that easily hold their own against original Colts imho.

this is my first post  - we recently retired and I have time to pursue my interests now.
I'm also not sure at all how to post pictures but there should be 4 pics attached if I followed the instructions correctly?  the 'preview' option is not functioning for me so I will have to just try and post this and not look like a fool

[Abilene]

Very nice!  Turnbull wasn't too expensive back then.  Even in the early 2000's, the dealer price for CCH was $50 each with a minimum of 4 frames/hammers sent in (already disassembled and barrel removed, of course).  I took advantage of that when I was working for a dealer who was sending some frames to Turnbull, so I just added my two conversion frames to the order and got them both done for $100! 

[RRio]

RRio very nice guns - can you please tell us the serial number range on your 2 USPtFA's?
I recently purchased this USPtFA and it is P 13800. The attention to detail on these early USPt's is incredible with flawless Turnbull finishing. With as little as these guns cost new and knowing what Turnbull charged back then in the '90's I can't believe there was much profit?  I am mainly a lifelong Colt collector but I own several USPtFA and USFA guns that easily hold their own against original Colts imho.

this is my first post  - we recently retired and I have time to pursue my interests now.
I'm also not sure at all how to post pictures but there should be 4 pics attached if I followed the instructions correctly?  the 'preview' option is not functioning for me so I will have to just try and post this and not look like a fool

The 7 1/2" .45 is: P  0103XX     and the 4 3/4" .357 is P 126XXX
What kind of prices are the USPt.FAs going for now?

[Stormy and Moose]

this one cost me $1700 - after seeing and handling and closely inspecting I could not resist. It's all italian and all Turnbull. I'm having a Colt US artillery being restored by him and all this gun needs is a US stamped frame and a few more inspector stamps to be a really excellent replica imho. 

[Stormy and Moose]

Very nice!  Turnbull wasn't too expensive back then.  Even in the early 2000's, the dealer price for CCH was $50 each with a minimum of 4 frames/hammers sent in (already disassembled and barrel removed, of course).  I took advantage of that when I was working for a dealer who was sending some frames to Turnbull, so I just added my two conversion frames to the order and got them both done for $100!

wow wish I had known you back then! I lost perspective on sending turnbull clean/new parts and just doing CCH and CB. All my projects required lots of prep and stamping and engraving etc.

[Pangaea]

I beg to differ, but I have one in 357 magnum in the 28XXX serial number range. Also has a 9mm cylinder with it, 5 1/2 inch barrel.

[RRio]

I beg to differ, but I have one in 357 magnum in the 28XXX serial number range. Also has a 9mm cylinder with it, 5 1/2 inch barrel.

More than likely a special run. As the common guns they were only offered in .38 Special after they became USFA.
I wish Gary G. would come on this thread and enlighten us. 

I sent a PM to Gary G. maybe he can give us some answers.

[RRio]

I beg to differ, but I have one in 357 magnum in the 28XXX serial number range. Also has a 9mm cylinder with it, 5 1/2 inch barrel.

Is it a USFA or a USPtFA?  Pic maybe?

[GaryG]

Let's see what I can add.  The early USPFA frames were Uberti.  The hammers featured the floating conical firing pin.  No recoil plate, just a hole in the frame to accomodate the firing pin.  USFA would later start to drill the frame and add a recoil plate.

For the most part, USFA (US) hammers featured a cone shaped fixed firing pin.  The recoil plate had a slightly larger hole to accomodate the pin.  38 special was the normal caliber on USFA (US), not 357.  HOWEVER, as Pangea noted he has a US made revolver in 357 and that's true.  If it was built correctly it should have a conical shaped fixed firing pin and with a recoil plate with a slightly smaller hole because the conical firing pin is smaller in diameter.  The Lend Lease guns were were done in 45 ACP or 357 Mag.

Not to muddy the water, but there are a few USFA (US) single actions out there in 32-20 with and extra 32 H&R, and 32 mag cylinder.  These also have the conical firing pin and smaller holed recoil plate.

Most of the above is but there's more exceptions that escape me at the moment.

[RRio]

Thanks so much, Gary! 

[Pangaea]

Here it is: