Bob Wright
Hawkeye
For some reason that I can't explain, using the term "clone" when speaking (or writing) of copies of the Colt Single Action Army seem out of place with me. Copy, yes; clone, no.
Having said that, I've used the term "Copy of a gun that never existed" referring to the .38 caliber Open Top Navy offered by Cimarron. The Open Top Colt of 1871 was a 7 1/2" barreled revolver in .44 rimfire chambering, presumably in .44 Henry caliber.
One of the earliest copies of a gun that never existed was one of my early ventures into revolvers. This was a Belgian made .38 caliber (It took .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, .38 Smith & Wesson, and .38 Special, and would chamber a .357 Magnum) Colt look-alike,sorta.
This revolver was dubbed "Cowboy Ranger" and was a double action with the frame pinched as with the 1877 Colt DA revolver. But the gripstraps, integral with the frame a la Remington style, were contoured and did take genuine Colt SAA grip panels. Except the logo at the top was a buffalo, as I recall.
For what it was, the gun was definitely solid built and well fitted, and did have a very smooth double action. Yes, I shot the gun, using only the .38 Long Colt cartridges. Accuracy was, well, non existent, the rifling being deep enough to accommodate black powder fouling. But, for a youngster, it was a thrill to have and shoot!
Bob Wright
Having said that, I've used the term "Copy of a gun that never existed" referring to the .38 caliber Open Top Navy offered by Cimarron. The Open Top Colt of 1871 was a 7 1/2" barreled revolver in .44 rimfire chambering, presumably in .44 Henry caliber.
One of the earliest copies of a gun that never existed was one of my early ventures into revolvers. This was a Belgian made .38 caliber (It took .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, .38 Smith & Wesson, and .38 Special, and would chamber a .357 Magnum) Colt look-alike,sorta.
This revolver was dubbed "Cowboy Ranger" and was a double action with the frame pinched as with the 1877 Colt DA revolver. But the gripstraps, integral with the frame a la Remington style, were contoured and did take genuine Colt SAA grip panels. Except the logo at the top was a buffalo, as I recall.
For what it was, the gun was definitely solid built and well fitted, and did have a very smooth double action. Yes, I shot the gun, using only the .38 Long Colt cartridges. Accuracy was, well, non existent, the rifling being deep enough to accommodate black powder fouling. But, for a youngster, it was a thrill to have and shoot!
Bob Wright
