Italian Single Actions

Guess with the popularity of Western Action Shooting, general nostalgia for the "old stuff", and the relative scarcity and value of "real deal" vintage Colt Single Action [SAA] wheelguns there is a big niche out there for Italian made SAA copies.

Same is such up here north of the 49th. We are seeing a real influx of what appear to be good quality Colt look-a-likes.

Just picked up one myself. Manufactured by "Pietta" in Italy. Compare pics to my 2nd generation Colt Single Action, made in 1961:

Pietta [top] and real Colt [bottom]:

Even copying "patent" dates.....

Dates on Pietta:

Dates [and rampant pony] on the real Colt:

BEAR wrote: I've got some Pietta cap and ball revolvers.  Very well made. WoW--  did they copy the word Colt and the Rampart pony?   Those are colt Trademarks????

Naw, they just put some dates in the same area that the real Colt has 'em. To kinda make it look more like a Colt. Funny, they hide the maker name "Pietta" on the underside of the barrel. On the side of the barrel you just see the cartridge that the SAA is chambered for. Kinda cool, I thought.

They are also offering the C&B copies of the 1851, 1860 and 1862 Colt percussion revolvers. I always wanted an 1851 Navy to hang on the wall in my 'gun room'....

The Ubertis and Piettas have been around up here for awhile. The Piettas are generally a bit cheaper than Ubertis which have been available longer. Western Action shooting has really taken off in Canada. I'm not involved with it at this time but I was when it first came about ~ 20 years ago.

I just like the looks & feel of the old "hog leg" and wanted to have something on hand like my Colt that I didn't mind putting a few rounds down the pipe. My real Colt is a second generation made in 1961 & I don't want to wear it out. Better to wear out a "knock off"....