John Taffin’s Uberti 1872 Open Top .44 Colt 7 1/2″ Single-Action Revolver
SOLD FOR: $1,072.00
LSB#: LSB260521SS010
Make: A. Uberti, Imported by Cimarron
Model: 1872 Open Top
Serial Number: X03111
Year of Manufacture: 2002 / Modern (BS Date Code)
Caliber: .44 Colt
Action Type: Single Action, Open Top Revolver with side loading gate
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “CIMARRON F.A. Co. FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS, Made in Italy”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “CAL. .44 COLT” and proof marks. The bottom of the barrel lug and frame is marked “X03111”. The bottom of the frame is marked with proof marks. The cylinder is engraved with the naval Battle of Campeche and marked with proof marks. The rear of the cylinder is marked with “111”. The left side of the frame is marked “-PAT. JULY. 25. 1871-” / “-PAT. JULY. 2. 1872-“. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2″ round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-moon silver blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a V notch sight integral to the rear of the barrel and is visible when fully cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The one-piece grip is a smooth bone that has been finished over, and has an eagle & snake motif on the right side. There are handling scratches and compressions throughout. The grip panels were split apart, but have been repaired. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip rates in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light fouling in the bore. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 93% of its metal finish. There are handling scratches and compression dings along the barrel and frame. There is an abrasion on the heel of the grip. There is light thinning at the muzzle. There are tool marks near the muzzle and wedge pin. The case-color remains mostly vibrant. The action shows operational wear. Overall, this revolver rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup is tight with no play at the chambers. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate states this revolver is Uberti USA, but in fact is Italian-made and imported by Cimarron.
Our Assessment: The Uberti 1872 Open Top reproduces the transitional cartridge revolvers that bridged Colt’s percussion era and the later Single Action Army. Based on the open-top architecture of Colt’s earlier cap-and-ball revolvers, the design uses a metallic-cartridge cylinder, side loading gate, ejector assembly, and fixed barrel-mounted rear sight while retaining the familiar open frame and wedge-secured barrel assembly. Chambered in .44 Colt, this 7 1/2″ example combines period styling with modern Italian manufacture and was imported by Cimarron Firearms. Provenance to John Taffin’s collection adds meaningful collector interest, particularly given his extensive writing on traditional sixguns, cartridge conversions, and Old West revolvers.
This 2002 Uberti retains approximately 93% of its original blue and case-colored finish, with handling scratches, compression marks, muzzle thinning, tool marks near the muzzle and wedge, and expected operational wear. The repaired bone grip remains in Very Good condition, with an eagle-and-snake motif and evidence of earlier separation and repair. The bright 9/10 bore has sharp rifling with only light fouling and no visible erosion, while the action functions correctly with tight lockup and no perceptible play at the chambers. The included John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity provides desirable provenance, though its identification of the revolver as “Uberti USA” conflicts with the firearm’s Italian manufacture and Cimarron import markings. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY