Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this awesome single-action revolver today for a penny-start auction, this is the Great Western Arms Co. Frontier Six Shooter!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Great Western Arms Co.
Model: Frontier Six Shooter
Serial: GW4661
Date of Manufacture: 1954-1964
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Color Case Hardened Frame with Blue Barrel, Cylinder, and Grip Frame
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Faux Stag Grips
Action: Single-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
During World War II, Colt scrapped the worn-out tooling for its 1873 Single Action Army revolver, citing low demand and a shift toward military contracts. Colt’s president at the time—whose background was in plastics rather than firearms—openly dismissed the SAA as a relic, claiming the company had no intention of ever resuming production of what he called “toys.” But after the war, the booming popularity of TV Westerns ignited demand for Peacemakers once again. Seeing this, a group of entrepreneurs in Los Angeles launched the Great Western Arms Company in 1954, reasoning that they could profitably build new-production Single Action Armies despite California labor costs, since the only competition was from increasingly expensive antiques. Bill Ruger, however, had already spotted the opportunity and debuted his .22 Single Six in 1953. Great Western answered with the Frontier Six Shooter in 1954—a true Peacemaker-style revolver, available in both rimfire and centerfire cartridges, offering authenticity the scaled-down, alloy-framed Single Six couldn’t match.
Model: Frontier Six Shooter
Serial: GW4661
Date of Manufacture: 1954-1964
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Color Case Hardened Frame with Blue Barrel, Cylinder, and Grip Frame
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Faux Stag Grips
Action: Single-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
During World War II, Colt scrapped the worn-out tooling for its 1873 Single Action Army revolver, citing low demand and a shift toward military contracts. Colt’s president at the time—whose background was in plastics rather than firearms—openly dismissed the SAA as a relic, claiming the company had no intention of ever resuming production of what he called “toys.” But after the war, the booming popularity of TV Westerns ignited demand for Peacemakers once again. Seeing this, a group of entrepreneurs in Los Angeles launched the Great Western Arms Company in 1954, reasoning that they could profitably build new-production Single Action Armies despite California labor costs, since the only competition was from increasingly expensive antiques. Bill Ruger, however, had already spotted the opportunity and debuted his .22 Single Six in 1953. Great Western answered with the Frontier Six Shooter in 1954—a true Peacemaker-style revolver, available in both rimfire and centerfire cartridges, offering authenticity the scaled-down, alloy-framed Single Six couldn’t match.
Ruger quickly struck back in 1955 with the full-sized Blackhawk in .357 Magnum, a sturdier and more affordable revolver, but one that looked modern rather than traditional. For purists who wanted the real Old West aesthetic, the Great Western remained appealing. The real blow came in 1956 when Colt reintroduced the Single Action Army in its Second Generation form. Suddenly, Great Western was asking nearly Colt-level prices for a copy, and sales began to dry up. The company’s survival increasingly depended on its .22 LR Frontier models, which offered collectors and shooters a rimfire SAA-style revolver at a time when Ruger’s Single Six, Colt’s Frontier Scout, and later the Ruger Bearcat were all lightweight, scaled-down guns rather than full-size Peacemaker clones. Surviving examples show that more than half of Great Western’s production was chambered in .22 LR.
Even this niche was undermined when, after a change in ownership, Great Western cut ties with its long-time distributor Hy Hunter. In response, Hunter partnered with J.P. Sauer & Sohn of West Germany to import cheap zinc-alloy SAA copies by the boatload, undercutting Great Western’s last competitive foothold. After a decade of struggling against Colt’s resurgence, Ruger’s innovation, and foreign imports, the Great Western Arms Company finally closed its doors in 1964. The Great Western Arms Co. Frontier Six Shooter remains a significant piece of firearms history—the first serious American attempt to revive the Peacemaker after Colt had abandoned it.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
