Make: U.S. Firearms (USFA)
Model: Rodeo "Shopkeeper"
Serial Number: SKA031, SKA032
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 2008
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolvers with Side Loading Gate Cylinders
Barrel Length: 3 1/2"
Sights / Optics: The front sights are blades fixed to the barrels. The rear sights are square notches integral to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: Each revolver has two-piece checkered black hard rubber grips with "US" in oval at their tops. Each panel has the assembly number hand-scribed on the interior. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Matte Blue
Finish Originality: Original. The marked parts have matching serial and assembly numbers.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in either bore. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 10/10
Overall Condition:
SKA031: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are very minor marks in the cylinder stop-notches and lead-in grooves. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
SKA032: This revolver retains 99%+ of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The actions function correctly. We did not fire these revolvers. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Each revolver comes in a two-piece cardboard USFA box with serial-matching label, cardboard sleeve, and a brown cloth USFA pouch.
Our Assessment: Colt's Model 1873, the Single Action Army, is the "gun that won the west", perhaps the most iconic handgun of all time. For nearly 150 years, the gun has been produced in a variety of configurations, finishes and calibers. These revolvers are the absolute closest to a Colt you can get without a pony on the side. Produced by US Firearms in the old Colt plant in Hartford, Connecticut "under the blue dome" and 100% US made, these USFA single actions are beauty to behold and one of the finest single action revolvers ever produced.
During the first generation of Colt Single Action Army revolvers, it was possible to special-order a "Sheriff’s Model", which had a shorter barrel and omitted the ejector rod assembly. For those who shoot these revolvers a lot, that's quite a sacrifice to make and there were some who wanted the shorter barrel, but also wanted to be able to conveniently eject cases from the cylinder. For these customers, there was the "Shopkeeper" or "Storekeeper". That is what USFA has reproduced in these revolvers. They are from a limited edition and may actually be more scarce than original Colt revolvers.
They are the Rodeo Shopkeeper model, featuring 3 1/2" barrels and matte blue finish, chambered for the original .45 Colt cartridge. Both revolvers are in Excellent condition, appearing to have spent more time in their boxes than out, and showing little to no sign of use outside the factory. USFA's Shopkeeper models were a Lew Horton distributor exclusive with limited production, hard to pass up for USFA collectors. These revolvers will make a fantastic addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
