Several years ago I acquired this 1st Model No. 3 American at a local antique mall for a very reasonable price. It's chambered for .44 American caliber (some prior owner helpfully carved ".44 Amer" into one of the grip panels). On the backstrap survives an engraving "MORY", last letters of "armory", I presume. It's tight, functions reasonably well, no finish, no rust, and has a VG+ bore. My gunsmith buddy put together the necessaries to bring back its bark: cut-down .41 S&W brass, Old West bullet mould, a device to crimp the troublesome heeled bullets, and a dedicated Robert's Saddlery scabbard. Everyone has their favorites, and among western handguns mine's the American, used by Wyatt Earp, John Wesley Harden, and the Youngers, among others. And it looks awesome, as my granddaughter would say...it has an archaic presence.
Using a forgiving load of 1cc of Triple Seven, it's not in the league with my K22 Masterpiece, but at 25 feet it manages minute-of-bad-guy on those very occasional times I exercise it.
Using a forgiving load of 1cc of Triple Seven, it's not in the league with my K22 Masterpiece, but at 25 feet it manages minute-of-bad-guy on those very occasional times I exercise it.
