Make: U.S. Firearms Mfg. Co. (aka U.S.F.A. MFG. Co)
Model: Red River D Classic John Wayne
Serial Number: RR11
Year of Manufacture: ca. 2007
Caliber: .45 Long Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel above the muzzle. The rear sight is a square notch grooved into the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth two-piece TruIvory (faux ivory). The grips show no notable wear or damage, just some minor handling and storage marks. There are no chips or cracks. The grips are in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, the rifling is sharp. There is a bit of stubborn fouling but no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 9 or 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows patches of thinning and wear that actually adds to the “movie gun blue” appearance. There is a light, thin turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks in each position with barely perceptible play. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with the original serial number matching USFA black cardboard box, the original “1907 2007 / The John Wayne Red River D Classic” cloth bag, a second, larger “1907 2007 / The John Wayne Red River D Classic” brown cardboard box, and a third box for the accompanying John Wayne Centennial holster and gun belt set.
Our Assessment: Colt’s Model 1873 Single Action Army is the “gun that won the West”, and perhaps the most iconic handgun of all time. For over 150 years, the gun has been produced in a variety of configurations, finishes, and calibers. This revolver is the absolute closest to a Colt you can get without a pony on the side. Produced by US Firearms in the old Colt plant in Hartford, Connecticut “under the blue dome” and 100% US made, this pistol is a beauty to behold and one of the finest single action revolvers ever crafted. It’s the limited edition US Firearms Manufacturing Company John Wayne Red River D Classic made in small numbers in the late 2000s. It’s chambered in .45 Long Colt, and features a 4 3/4” barrel, John Wayne’s signature engraved along the backstrap, and the “D and two wavy lines” brand of Wayne’s character (Dunson) engraved on the left side of the frame. The small run of revolvers was released in recognition of the 100th birthday of the legendary actor, and to honor his role in the classic 1948 Western film "Red River". Though John Wayne had been a legitimate movie star for nearly a decade at that point, his performance in “Red River” revealed the depth of his acting chops. The limited edition Red River D Classic revolver remains highly sought after today by fans of John Wayne, Western film enthusiasts, and firearms collectors. This particular revolver is also notable for its incredibly low serial number, “RR11”, being only the 11th Red River D Classic off the production line. It’s complete with the original Desantis made John Wayne style brown leather revolver holster and “sand suede” and brown leather gun belt (serial number 3370 of 3500), a rig that “the Duke” wore in a number of his iconic Western roles, from “Rio Bravo” to “The Searchers”. This is a fantastic, complete in the box example of the USFA Red River D Classic John Wayne revolver.
Pistol