Iver Johnson Uberti Cattleman

sohigh1

February 14, 2012 05:25

I recently stopped in a local gun shop. I was looking to buy something to add to my collection, but was not set on anything in particular.

What I ended up with was a Iver Johnson A. Uberti Cattleman in 44. Mag.

I measured the barrel, and I come up with 6 3/4 inches.

The serial number on the gun is: 32853

Can any one tell me any more about this gun? When was it made? Did I do ok at $275? Is it a good quality peice?

As far as the condition, it appears to my untrained eye to be in good shape. There is very minimal holster wear on one side of the barrel. You have to really look for it to see it. The grip has a few nicks. Nothing major. The bore is very bright and shiny. Everything functions as it should. Great shooter.

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  rufe-snow

  February 14, 2012 05:51

  One of the Italian proof marks will be a coded date. Usually they will be in the format of two side by side capitol letters.
  
  Uberti's single actions have been imported and sold in the U.S. for many years, by many different importers/distributors. Yours probably dates to the 90's.
  
  There nice looking guns cosmetically, but not as strong or durable as the Ruger single actions, IMHO. You would be much better off shooting it with .44 Special or downloaded .44 mag ammo, then hot .44 mags, again IMHO.
  
  EDIT #1, My reference shows that the "AA" proof, dates to 1975. This doesn't seem right to me though. I wasn't aware that Iver Johnson imported and sold Uberti's at that early date.
  
  EDIT 2, What you payed for it is a fair price, as long it's in time and the cylinder locks up tight. As I noted previously the .44 mag is a high pressure cartridge that will put substantial stress on the innards of any revolver, if shot a great amount. Being you don't know it's history or round count fired, have a pro check that the cylinder is in time and locks up tight.

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  sohigh1

  February 14, 2012 05:59

  The double capital letters stamped on this gun are "AA".
  
  Edit #1: According this what someone posted on this page, 1975 would be very, very close to the date of manufacture for this gun:
  
  
  http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/identification--values-july-2007
  
  Q: I have an Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works Inc. Cattleman single-action revolver in .45 Long Colt caliber with a 71?2-inch barrel, case-hardened frame, blue finish and brass trigger guard and back strap. Uberti & Co. in Italy made it, and its serial number is 357XX. It is in 98 percent condition, and I paid $200 for it. I would like to find out its value, year made, whether it is a quality revolver and whether it can tolerate standard .45 Colt loads. Any input would be appreciated. --P.M., Bronston, KY
  
  A: Aldo Uberti, S.r.l., located in Serezzo, Italy, has been manufacturing high-quality replicas since 1959. All its guns are proof-tested for consumer safety by a government-run independent proof house before they can be shipped. Unfortunately, the only source for serialization information on many foreign firearms is the manufacturer, and it can be difficult to obtain.
  
  Most foreign firearms (including yours) are stamped with a date coded on the frame after proof testing. Based on the "Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works Inc." barrel address, your Cattleman was manufactured no later than 1975 when the company name was changed to Iver Johnson's Arms, Inc.
  
  At www.bluebookinc.com you'll find a free firearms serialization section (both foreign and domestic) that includes an Italian Year of Manufacture Date Code reference chart. Your Iver Johnson Cattleman has a retail value in the $200 to $250 range.

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