I found this shiny thing-

[kings6]

Heard about this gun on another forum and when the OP passed and shared the guns location I contacted them and worked out the deal. It is an unfired, all US made USFA with the nickel finish in 38-40 and factory fit synthetic ivory grips. The only fly in the ointment is when the gun arrived it did not have the original box and papers like it was supposed to. I called the dealer and they jumped right on it and called me back within minutes. It seems the same person sold them this gun and an identical consecutive numbered gun but only one gun had the box. Unfortunately it was the other gun but the store was willing to send me a call tag to ship it right back or they would give me a $100 discount for the lack of a box. If I was a true collector I would have sent the gun back but we all know I'm just a rag tag accumulator and modifier of guns. I had been thinking of finding an ugly Colt 38-40 and sending it Alan for an internal rework but when this one popped up at a great price then when the box was not included I figured this would be my 38-40 gun. It heads off to Alan this next week to be gone through and smoothed up and he will fit the NOS hammer I found several months ago. Interestingly enough, the hammer was advertised as being made by Christie's years ago!

[oregon45]

Very cool! Going to keep it nickel and 7 1/2"?

[kings6]

Not sure Rob. My first thought is strip it down, shorten to 5 1/2” with drift front sight, blue with cc. Have to wait and see.

[45MAN]

STAY WITH THE NICKEL AND 7 1/2 INCH BARREL FOR A WHILE, YOU CAN ALWAYS STRIP AND CUT LATER.

FOR RELOADING THE 38-40 YOU NEED A SPECIAL "SCOVILL" DIE OR ELSE YOU WILL BE MISERABLE TRYING TO RELOAD FOR THE 38-40. IF YOU NEED INFO ON THIS I WILL CHECK MY "SCOVILL" DIE AND LET YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

[kings6]

That would be greatly appreciated 45MAN!

[mike454]

You got a good one! Funny thing about 38/40s is that those that like them REALLY like them, kind of like 41 mags. Just sent my engraved, ivory, 38/40 USFA off to auction. Trying to trin down calibers. hope I don't regret it.

[45MAN]

RE RELOADING THE 38-40: A CONVENTIONAL SET OF DIES IS A WASTE OF MONEY, BRASS, BULLETS AND TIME. GET A 38-40 SCOVILL GROUP K STEEL SIZER, P/N: 57081 FROM RCBS AND A LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE. ON MY DILLON TOOL HEAD I HAVE THE SCOVILL, THEN A DILLON POWDER THRU EXPANDER DIE, THEN A REDDING COMPETITION BULLET SEATING DIE #55366 AND THEN THE LEE F/C DIE. DO NOT RECALL WHY I OPTED FOR THE REDDING CBS DIE. THE SCOVILL AND LEE THOUGH ARE ESSENTIAL!!!!!!!!

SOME OF THE BEST INFO RE RELOADING THE 38-40 REVOLVER CAN BE FOUND IN DAVE SCOVILL's BOOK: COLT'S SINGLE ACTION ARMY Loading and Shooting the Peacemaker

[bigmuddy]

Beautiful revolver!! I am envious.

My 7 1/2" USFA 38 w.c.f. is probably the best shooting and most accurate fixed sight gun that I own. No way would I cut anything on that one. The only thing I would do were it mine is add fire blue screws and base pin. Congratulations on your latest.

I went through a lot of growing pains loading the 38 w.c.f. when I started down that road 25 years ago. Have it pretty well bucked out now. Haven't read Scovill's book but if it had been available then it might have saved me a lot of grief. Not aware of a "Scovill" die?

Dan

[kings6]

Funny thing Dan, I had decided to do just as you suggested. Leave the gun alone as far as length goes, go with fire blue appointments and have the bisley hammer fit.

[z1r]

I like it! When I got my .44-40, there was a steep learning curve when it came to reloading for it. I got it several years prior to Lee introducing their factory crimp die. That die is worth its weight in gold for these thin walled cartridges.