Uberti 1873 Cattleman Desperado Revolver U356031, 45 Colt, 5.5″, Bison Horn-style Grip Stock, Nickel Finish

Not long ago, an employee at Colt was looking through old invoice files and found an order for a Colt .45 “peacemaker” with 4 3/4″ barrel, nickel finish and ivory grips. The order was from Bat Masterson and it was written on stationery from the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas. Uberti has recreated some of these special-order six-shooters that would have been right at home in Dodge City.

The 1873 Cattleman Gunfighter features checkered black grips, matte blued frame and barrel in 4 3/4″, 5 1/2″ or 7 1/2″ lengths. Two of the most popular special orders in the old west were for ivory grips and nickel finish. The 1873 Cattleman Cody is a classic recreation of a special order “frontier six-shooter.” Pearl grips and special metal finishes were also popular and the Cattleman Frisco celebrates these special features.

“God made men, but Sam Colt made them equal,” was an old saying referring to the Colt .45 “Peacemaker.” In 1873, the Single Action Army (SAA) became the new military sidearm. Custer’s troops were armed with the new revolvers and lawmen and outlaws alike were quick to adopt the new six-shooter. The Colt SAA came in many variations and Uberti has recreated the most popular models in the 1873 Cattleman series.

Although the Colt Single Action Army was most widely produced with a color case-hardened frame, a 7 1/2″ nickel plated version was issued to Indian scouts. The bright blue metal finish called “charcoal blue” was available directly from the factory and with years of use the old six-guns took on a well handled soft gray patina. All of these classics are available in the 1873 Cattleman.