Info on old Uberti Cattleman

[Col. Mortimer]

Just purchased an old Uberti Cattleman at a local gun show. It's a 5 1/2" .357 Mag. 4 clicks. Serial # 103799 Cat. # 1522 and marked Lakeville CT. It is new in the box, unfired. Anyone know about when it was manufactured and anything about the quality of this model?
Thank you,
Col.Mortimer

[Cap'n Redneck]

The gun should have a manufacturing date-code stamped somewhere on the frame.
It is two capital letters inside a square.  Something akin to: [AB]
Then Google "Italian date codes" and you should find several tables deciphering it.

(Note that a "PSF"-stamping is not a date-code.  It means "proofed for smokeless")

[Abilene]

Quality is probably fine since it's new.  Depending on the age of the gun, it might have a leaf spring for the hand versus the coil spring and plunger that they moved to some years back.  Taking off the backstrap will tell you if there is a setscrew on the left for the coil spring.  It most likely has the "hammer-block-safety" as it was commonly called, a wedge on the hammer face below the firing pin which will move forward when the gun is on the safety notch.  Not authentic but usually causes no problems. Some have brass grip frames which is also not authentic, but work fine and some like them.  Like Cap'n Redneck says, the date code in the square will tell you the exact date. Putting a spring kit in it (main and trigger/bolt) is easy and will make it feel better. 

I don't know how familiar you are with single actions, but don't ever let the hammer down from half-cock, always go to full cock and then ease the hammer down.

And of course I should remind you, if there's no pictures, it didn't happen.   

[Major 2]

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[Col. Mortimer]

Thank you all for your information on my old Cattleman. I looked it over quite well but found no small letter box for a date code, at least not visible without removing the grip frame and such. The only frame lettering is on the right side: a small shield, the PSF, a round wreath followed by CAT 1522. There is no transfer bar or any type of hammer block. Appears to be much like my 3rd gen. Colt SAA. I have always shot Colt and Ruger single actions; this is my first Uberti.
Thanks again,
Col. Mortimer

[Abilene]

Sounds good!  Does it have the two position base pin?

[Col. Mortimer]

Thanks for asking, Ghost Rider. The base pin will not protrude through the back to the hammer, so I guess it has no two position pin. The left side of the frame has no markings. The grip frame is blue steel. The bluing and case coloring is very nice as are the one piece figured walnut grips. The front sight is finely tapered and shoots point of aim with 158 gr.lead bullet atop 5 grs of Unique. Label on the box is simple. It says COD. 401 Cattleman Rev. Q.D. Steel. 5 1/2 BBL. CAT.1522.S.No.103799.

Col. Mortimer