EMF 1873 SA in .44 special?

HighValleyRanch · March 27, 2019, 12:30 PM

I have what appears to be an EMF Great Western "Californian" made by Pietta according to my research.
But there are a few peculiarities that perhaps some experts in SA can help me with.
1. Will this take original COLT SA grips? Or what grip frame is this
2. It does not have "floating" hammer firing pin. It is fixed to the hammer, so is this an earlier model?
3. The sight notch is also not the later wide notch, it is pretty narrow.
4. From my research, they state that this model only came in .44/40, but this is marked .44 special. Could not find any EMF or Pietta's like this with the case hardened frame that were originally .44 special

I think I'll start shooting this gun. I originally gave to my father as a gift many years ago, but now he is in a rest home, so I've inherited it again. It's unfired condition! Gummed up from years of unuse, but got it all cleaned and working again.

stinkeypete · March 27, 2019, 01:04 PM

I can’t tell you much about the revolver other than:

Those grip panels look fabulous, no way would I change them.
If you want good custom grips, your grip maker will want the grip frame for an exact fit, otherwise they are just bolt-on parts.

The hammer is authentic design to the Colt, so keep an empty cylinder under the hammer.

The sight notch: it’s easier to file some off than to file some back on. Shoot it, see if it’s shooting to proper windage (left-right) then do some math and ask a friend or two. File a little off the correct side with a needle file. Shoot again. Repeat, little changes. It’s easier to file off than file metal back on!

.44 special is a very cool cartridge. A good one to reload for because the answer is simply “how much Unique powder do you like in there?”

HighValleyRanch · March 27, 2019, 02:46 PM

After some further research, I believe it to be the EMF HARTFORD model which was an exact copy of the original Colt. It's marked Hartford, CT Model USA, Single Action Army .44 Special.

Looks like it takes original Colt grip panels like this one:
https://www.gunsamerica.com/95336760...4-3-4-MA-O.htm

mk70ss · March 27, 2019, 02:47 PM

Can’t answer any of your questions, but I can tell you this: I think you have one great shooter there! Very nice.

bedbugbilly · March 30, 2019, 11:14 AM

I can't tell you much on the EMF but I'm sure they probably offered many models over the time they existed. Nice looking revolver and I'm another vote on keeping those grips on it! :-) It ought to be a great shooter. You gave it to your Dad, now you have it back . . . that gun will provide you with some good memories every time you shoot it. Enjoy!

44caliberkid · April 1, 2019, 07:44 PM

EMF still exists.

Bob Wright · April 1, 2019, 08:36 PM

As to Colt grips fitting~ well, fitting replacement Colt grips to a Colt Single Action Army is a crapshoot. All will take a little fitting.

Bob Wright

tipoc · April 2, 2019, 01:11 PM

You may be able to find out a bit more about the gun by contacting EMF directly.

https://www.emf-company.com/store/pc...olvers-c64.htm

This gun is patterned after the Colt 1873. So it's most likely that stocks for a Colt will work. You can take the piece to the next gunshow, sans grips on it, and ask to try on some grips from a vendor. A local gunatorium near you is also likely to have a few spares in the back as well. Especially if they have a gunsmith.

Should be a great gun and a fun shooter.

tipoc

March 27, 2019, 02:46 PM	#3
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	After some further research, I believe it to be the EMF HARTFORD model which was an exact copy of the original Colt. It's marked Hartford, CT Model USA, Single Action Army .44 Special. Looks like it takes original Colt grip panels like this one: https://www.gunsamerica.com/95336760...4-3-4-MA-O.htm __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

March 27, 2019, 02:47 PM	#4
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Can’t answer any of your questions, but I can tell you this: I think you have one great shooter there! Very nice. __________________ Say when.....

March 30, 2019, 11:14 AM	#5
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I can't tell you much on the EMF but I'm sure they probably offered many models over the time they existed. Nice looking revolver and I'm another vote on keeping those grips on it! :-) It ought to be a great shooter. You gave it to your Dad, now you have it back . . . that gun will provide you with some good memories every time you shoot it. Enjoy! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

April 1, 2019, 08:36 PM	#7
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	As to Colt grips fitting~ well, fitting replacement Colt grips to a Colt Single Action Army is a crapshoot. All will take a little fitting. Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

April 2, 2019, 01:11 PM	#8
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	You may be able to find out a bit more about the gun by contacting EMF directly. https://www.emf-company.com/store/pc...olvers-c64.htm This gun is patterned after the Colt 1873. So it's most likely that stocks for a Colt will work. You can take the piece to the next gunshow, sans grips on it, and ask to try on some grips from a vendor. A local gunatorium near you is also likely to have a few spares in the back as well. Especially if they have a gunsmith. Should be a great gun and a fun shooter. tipoc __________________ 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. 4. Identify your target and know what is beyond it.

March 27, 2019, 01:04 PM	#2
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,293	I can’t tell you much about the revolver other than: Those grip panels look fabulous, no way would I change them. If you want good custom grips, your grip maker will want the grip frame for an exact fit, otherwise they are just bolt-on parts. The hammer is authentic design to the Colt, so keep an empty cylinder under the hammer. The sight notch: it’s easier to file some off than to file some back on. Shoot it, see if it’s shooting to proper windage (left-right) then do some math and ask a friend or two. File a little off the correct side with a needle file. Shoot again. Repeat, little changes. It’s easier to file off than file metal back on! .44 special is a very cool cartridge. A good one to reload for because the answer is simply “how much Unique powder do you like in there?”

April 1, 2019, 07:44 PM	#6
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,104	EMF still exists.