On the Deputy models, the barrel rib is affixed where Great Western’s typical company rollmark would be.Įarly Deputies, those prior to serial 19000, instead have a two line stamp of: On Sheriffs models the company label is “GREAT WESTERN” so as to fit on the shorter barrels. The vast majority of revolvers have a single line company rollmark of “GREAT WESTERN ARMS CO” on top of the barrel reading muzzle to frame. On all parts, weak strikes, double strikes, and misaligned numerals are common.

But generally, Great Westerns can be evaluated in the same way as Colts: originality is found persuasive when all parts having matching serials. Stamped or electric penciled.Īt times we notice on very original looking guns that some parts lack serials, particularly backstraps. Serialed parts and their locations are:Ĭylinder frame – underneath, forward of trigger guard. To identify what parts went back on what frame at reassembly, parts were serialed. Great Western revolver manufacturing followed the century old Colt process where all parts were fitted to a frame, with the complete gun then torn back down for finish application. E&M reintroduced the prefix at GW19400 so as to code revolvers built under their management. They dropped the GW prefix at this time, which was an indicator that coded the warranty coverage right into the serial number. When FerroCast took control of Great Western in 1956, they declined or say refused to offer warranty repair for revolvers produced under Wilson’s management. The prefix or its absence was mostly an indicator of warranty responsibility. Prefix ranges and ownership are understood to be as follows: Prefix use in different places on the serial ranges signifies corporate ownerships changes. ‘GW’ as a prefix stands for ‘Great Western’. Serials ostensibly start at 1, for gun 1, and ascend by order of production to about 22250. Standard production revolver serials may have a ‘GW’ prefix, but serials are otherwise simply numeric.

Lefever shotgun serial number guide