John Taffin’s Great Western Arms .45 Colt 5 1/2″ Single Action Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,480.00
LSB#: LSB260521SS023
Make: Great Western Arms
Model: Single Action Army
Serial#: 15717
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1957-1960/ C&R
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single-Action Revolver with a Side Gate loaded 6-Chamber Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “45 COLT”. The top of the barrel is marked “GREAT WESTERN ARMS CO.”. The bottom of the frame and left side interior of the back and front strap are marked with “15717”. The rear face of the cylinder is scribed with “717”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2″
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a quarter-moon blade fixed at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch with a channel milled into the topstrap and is visible when fully cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two piece smooth faux stag panels with brass escutcheons. There are minor handling scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 73% of its metal finish. There are scratches and compression dings throughout. There is finish loss at the muzzle and leading edges of the frame and cylinder. There is thinning along the barrel, frame, cylinder, grip straps, ejector rod housing, and the trigger guard. The frame has a plum tone to it. There is a turn line on the cylinder and carbon rings on its face. The screw heads have been tooled but retain strong slots. Overall, the revolver is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock up is tight at each chamber with minor endshake. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. There is a locking cylinder pin installed.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity.
Our Assessment: Great Western Arms was one of the earliest American manufacturers to revive the traditional Single Action Army pattern during the 1950s, producing revolvers that appealed to Western enthusiasts, fast-draw shooters, and collectors during the height of postwar cowboy culture. Great Western revolvers followed the classic Colt pattern closely while incorporating their own production methods and markings, and examples chambered in .45 Colt remain among the most traditional configurations offered by the company. This 5 1/2″ example also carries provenance to John Taffin, whose extensive writing on sixguns and traditional single-action revolvers adds meaningful collector interest. Its period Great Western configuration, faux-stag stocks, locking cylinder pin, and documented Taffin provenance make it a particularly interesting representative of the postwar single-action revival.
This Great Western retains approximately 73% of its original blue finish, with scratches, compression marks, muzzle and edge wear, thinning along the barrel, frame, cylinder, grip straps, ejector housing, and trigger guard, along with a plum tone developing on the frame. The faux-stag grips remain in Excellent condition, while the bright 9/10 bore has sharp rifling and no visible erosion. The action functions correctly with tight lockup at each chamber and only minor endshake, and a locking cylinder pin is installed. The included John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity provides desirable provenance to a noted authority on traditional sixguns. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY