American Historical Society William Cody Buffalo Bill Remington Model 1871
SOLD FOR: $1001
LSB#: 220109RB374
Make: American Historical Society, Uberti
Model: Remington Model 1871, Reproduction
Serial#: WFC052, number 52 out of a total of 250 issued.
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1997
Caliber: .45 Long Colt
Action Type: Single-Shot Rolling-Block style Pistol
Markings: The pistol is gold-plated and has floral scroll engravings. The left side of the frame is marked “WFC052”. The right side of the barrel is marked “CAL. 45 L.C.” The butt-strap is marked in cursive “Col. Will. F. Cody”.
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the breech block.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood featuring a forend and pistol grip. The stocks have some light handling marks. Notably, there are two light spots of wear on the left side of the forend and some light handling marks where the right side of the forend meets the frame. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Gold Plated
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion around the muzzle.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is a small spot of finish loss ahead of the front sight, a small nick on the bottom of the barrel and a nick on the bottom strap. Otherwise, the pistol lacks any notable defects. The markings remain clear. The screwheads are unmarred and serviceable. Overall, the pistol is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The pistol comes with a display case. The display case has a small plaque marked “WM. F. “BUFFALO BILL” CODY / MODEL 1871 ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL / LIMITED EDITION OF ONLY 250 / ISSUED BY / THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL FOUNDATION / RICHMOND, VIRGINIA”. The display case can be locked shut and comes with a key. There are some light handling marks but the case remains in Very Good-Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This American Historical Society replica of the Remington Model 1871 Rolling Block Pistol is a gold-plated commemorative which was released in honor of William Fredrick “Wild Bill” Cody. The pistol was part of a limited run and it is the 52nd out of a total of only 250 pistols manufactured. Buffalo Bill Cody was a key figure from the American Old West. Cody served as a scout for the US military and famously provided his services to Grand Duke Aleksey Aleksandrovich of Russia in 1872. For his service in the Indian Wars, Cody was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1872. In 1883 Cody founded “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West,” a show that dramatized key events from the Wild West for audiences across the US and Europe. The shows were spectacular and often featured living legends from the West (including Sitting Bull, Annie Oakley and Frank Butler) all performing to live music that accompanied the show. When Cody took his show to Italy he met some Italian butteri (Italian cowboys) led by Augusto Imperiali and Cody challenged them to a skill test which included roping calves and other similar stunts. The Italians bested the Americans and Augusto Imperiali was honored as a hero in his hometown as a result. Cody would also famously set up an exhibition at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair which was immensely popular. Cody passed away at the age of 70 in 1917. Following his passing, Cody received tributes from King George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Woodrow Wilson, a testament to his immense popularity and broad appeal. This commemorative handgun from Uberti is a worthy tribute to “Wild Bill” Cody, it features Beautifully executed engravings and has a jaw-dropping gold-plated finish. For fans of the Wild West this is a pistol that you do not want to miss out on!