Advice needed - USPFA collectibility

[JJ “Reb” Wainwright 110206]

Howdy Pards,

Looking for some advice. I acquired a USPFA revolver (pre-lawsuit w/Colt, so still has the “Patent” in the name). Blue/CH, 45 Colt, 7.5”.  Has box, slip cover and most (if not all) the papers. Has been used but still excellent. 
 

I am thinking about selling/trading but having a difficult time assessing the demand for these compared to other USFAs.  They don’t seem to come up for sale very often.  I’ve read all about the opinions of quality compared to the later ones, but all of that not withstanding, still wondering if these are worth more than a regular Uberti?  I need some NMVs for my 14 yo son and trying to decide if I should use this as trading fodder. 

 

Thanks in advance for any advice you might have. 
 

JJ

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Earlier this year, I acquired a Uberti-USPFA for $615.  Today I acquired a USFA for $1400.    Take that for what it's worth.

Having the box and stuff probably adds a little value, but how much, I could not say.   On the one hand, the early USPFA are rarer as they were not made for very long.  But on the other, they are Uberti pistols.

 

[Rip Snorter]

With aftermarket grips on, and shooting as well, my Colt and USPFA are virtually identical till you look at the roll marks.  Not going to dig in the safe just now, but my recollection is that the USPFA came from a SASS program I bought into and has my member number as a SN.  Whoever made it did a fine job.

[watab kid]

looks a fine revolver to me , hope you get enough to offset part of the rugers for your youngster , gotta know that buying new will generally cot you more , and selling used generally nets you less , good luck in sorting this all out , 

sffice it to say if i were in a buying mode i might be interested in that one because of what it is , but im not 

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

Looks like it's in pretty good shape.  Not one that comes around very often, as you indicated.  If you look at Guns International under the USFA Pistols and Revolvers title you will note that there are a number of revolvers available: Cabela's has a bunch.  I sold a Colt to Cabela's a while back and they will pay 65% of the market value (determined by them).  The net to me was more than the local shops wanted to pay.  If I had to guess, the price of the one you show would be around $1,500.  That would take into account its relative scarcity and condition.  

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

The timing is a little off on that gun, the cylinder bolt notch ramps are peened.  My opinion is that the gun is worth more than an Uberti but not much.  A couple hundred more at the most.  

[Dutch Nichols, SASS #6461]

US Patent guns are 100% Uberti parts and command  not much more than an Uberti. The rub is some crooked sellers try to sell them as the Original USFA and ask for outrageous prices! Some ignorant buyers will pay it not knowing any better. These guns were built when Uberti was known for their soft steel,

Put it on Gunbroker and let the price land where it will.

[JJ “Reb” Wainwright 110206]

Thank you all for the valuable feedback. I can always count on that from this crew.  It will likely go up for sale - It’s a config that I will never use. 
 

Thanks again y’all. 
 

JJ

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

3 hours ago, Dutch Nichols, SASS #6461 said:

US Patent guns are 100% Uberti parts and command  not much more than an Uberti. The rub is some crooked sellers try to sell them as the Original USFA and ask for outrageous prices! Some ignorant buyers will pay it not knowing any better. These guns were built when Uberti was known for their soft steel,

Put it on Gunbroker and let the price land where it will.

Dutch, I will not dispute anything you said, but I will add the "proviso" that they are a part of the USFA story.  Yes, they are Uberti pistols, and as such should be priced as Uberti pistols, but *perhaps* one can say that they can command a *small* premium for the USFA connection.   When I bought my USPFA pistol, it was sold as a Uberti, and priced as one.   When I got it home and saw the USPFA wording on top, I was pleasantly surprised.   When I mentioned it to the gun shop owner I bought it from, he basically said that I lucked out on it, implying that if he had realized what it was, he would have charged more for it.  How MUCH more, I did not ask.  I suppose you can look at the USPFA Uberti pistols as being a "rare for Uberti" variant that can go for a little more, but they should not be commanding the same premium as a "real" USFA.