Great Western Arms Collector

Well now, this is something I wouldn’t have thunk existed.

A Great Western Arms .44-40 Fast Draw model with 7 1/2 inch barrel. Cabela’s sale, 7/1/10. Serial was collected. This piece is very late production.

So, what exactly is the relationship between EMF’s Great Western II and the original Great Western Arms revolver?

EMF was one of the owners of Great Western Arms in the late 50’s and early 60’s. It’s reasonable to assume they were the last owner of GW before it ceased. EMF probably owns the trademarks. In 2005 EMF started distributing the Great Western II, which is a very good quality Italian made SAA clone.

EMF has always been a distributor and not a manufacturer (I think…but am not certain). Great Western struggled when it was in business. My guess is that EMF’s role in owning GW was as a liquidator. They were the last ones in, and bought the remaining inventory of parts and finished guns to sell until they were gone. EMF is a fine company by the way, with a super reputation.

Something like the Great Western II has no real lineage to the Great Western. The Great Western II is a modern rendition of the SAA, and superior in quality to the old Great Westerns. I had a Great Western II. I sold it to by something else, but I really desire another. Very nice guns (whisper…better than Uberti’s).

What company now is most comparable to the old Great Western Arms as a domestic maker of ‘perfected’ Colt style single-actions? Probably USFA. I want one of those also.

So, how much are they worth? Thats a commonly asked question.

I think its a hard question to answer, and particulalrly hard for something like a blue book value of firearms to answer. Great Westerns are bought and sold so thinly that there isn’t a very large comparison set.

My observation in shopping for them and seeing them sell (actual closed sales, reserve met, no ridiculoulsy high starting bid) on Gunbroker and live auctions is this (as of 2009):

.22s - in good shape with nothing broken - around $400. Expect to pay more for fast draw models and barrels other than 5 1/2.

Centerfires - in good shape with nothing broken - around $500. Prices might be dramatically more for real nice condition guns and .44-40 or .44 special models.

Derringers - $300, $400 - I don’t know, these are very thinly sold.

Low production models like the buntline and deputy model are another matter entirely. I have no idea what they would go for, except to say ‘more’.

If you’re buying, theres not a good way to know whats the ‘right’ price. You don’t get many opportunities to buy them at all. It ends up being a call on your personal comfort zone with what you want to pay.

I have this Great Western .22, and its just a peach. 5 1/2 inch barrel, blued finish, chrome hammer and grip assembly.

I had an opportunity to speak by phone with the most accomplished collector of Great Westerns. He was a great guy, and very gracious. He wanted to steer me away from the idea that my Great Western had a factory finish though, and said they didn’t mix nickel or chrome finishes with blue. The only finishes should be blue, nickel, chrome, and case hardened / blue.

I since encountered this GW on Gunbroker (I didn’t bid on this).

First of all - nice item that sheds some light on the Great Western packaging and accessories of the time. I have to think thats a factory finished duotone revolver. There is no Great Western factory documentation left, so theres no way of knowing. I imagine there are some oddities out there that were made as factory custom orders, and probably more than a few duotones. I just encountered another one in a picture on a chat board. It looked exactly like mine, but was a .44 special.

Welcome to my site. I don’t want to be the go to guy on the web for information about Great Westerns. Fact of the matter is, I’m not even an intermediate level collector. I own three.

I love them though, I think they are neat as all get out. These revolvers are quality pieces from an era gone by. A Great Western SAA really captures that sense of ‘Americana.’

People out there with a passing interest likely know the story of Great Western Arms Co. Started in Hollywood in 1953 or so. Backed by some wealthy southern Californians, incuding big Hollywood stars. The company flamed out in the early 60’s after Colt reintroduced the SAA.

Beyond that, theres not much narrative or meaningful information out there about Great Western Arms revolvers. I just thought I’d have a place here on the web to collect and publish information I encounter. Maybe make an observation or participate in a discussion now and then.

Thanks! Write me about Great Westerns at sackpeterson@comcast.net