Description
There is a reason the birdshead grip has stuck around since the 1870s. That downward curve settles into the web of your hand and points the muzzle where you are looking almost on its own, which is exactly why these compact single actions earned the belly gun nickname back in the day. Taylors and Company took that classic profile and put it on a new model forged steel frame, so you get period-correct looks backed by modern strength.
What Sets the 1873 Cattleman Birdshead Apart
The frame wears genuine color case hardening, and since that is a real heat treatment rather than an applied finish, the swirls of blue, straw, and amber come out a little different on every gun. It plays beautifully against the deep blued 4.75 inch barrel and cylinder, with a smooth walnut birdshead grip rounding out the package. Sights are the traditional setup: a fixed blade up front and a notch cut into the frame at the rear. Simple, rugged, and true to the original 1873 pattern.
A .357 Single Action That Earns Its Keep
Chambering this one in .357 Magnum was a smart move. You can run full-power magnums when you want some thump, then drop in soft-shooting .38 Specials for cheap, relaxed range sessions or cowboy action matches. The six-shot cylinder, exposed hammer, and crisp single action trigger deliver that deliberate, satisfying shooting rhythm that keeps people coming back to these guns generation after generation.
Built by Uberti, Backed by Taylors
Like the rest of the Cattleman line, this revolver is manufactured by Uberti in Italy, a name that has set the standard for reproduction single actions for decades. The forged frame gives it better grain structure and durability than cast alternatives, so it holds up to regular shooting instead of sitting in the safe as a wall hanger. Whether you are into cowboy action shooting, collecting western sixguns, or just want a good-looking .357 that shoots as nice as it looks, this one checks the boxes.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer: Taylors and Company (manufactured by Uberti)
- Manufacturer Part Number: 200069
- UPC: 810012510523
- Model: 1873 Cattleman Birdshead
- Caliber: .357 Magnum (also accepts .38 Special)
- Action: Single Action
- Capacity: 6 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 4.75"
- Overall Length: 10.31"
- Frame: Forged Steel, Color Case Hardened
- Barrel and Cylinder Finish: Blued
- Grip: Birdshead Walnut
- Sights: Fixed Blade Front, Frame Notch Rear
- Hammer: Exposed
What’s Included
- Taylors and Company 1873 Cattleman Birdshead revolver
- Manufacturer's box
- Owner's manual
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot .38 Special through the 1873 Cattleman Birdshead?
Yes. Since this revolver is chambered in .357 Magnum, it will safely fire .38 Special as well. Plenty of owners run .38s for cowboy action matches and casual plinking, then switch to full-house .357 loads when they want more punch. It makes range time noticeably easier on both your hand and your ammo budget.
Who makes the Taylors 1873 Cattleman Birdshead?
It is manufactured by Uberti in Italy and imported by Taylors and Company out of Virginia. Uberti has built its reputation on faithful, well-fitted reproductions of classic American single actions, and the Cattleman line is a big part of that. You get authentic 1873 styling with modern manufacturing quality behind it.
Why does the case hardened finish look different from photos I've seen?
Color case hardening is a genuine heat treatment process, not a paint or coating, so the pattern of blues, purples, and straw tones is unique to each individual frame. No two revolvers come out looking identical. Consider it a feature; your gun will have a one-of-a-kind character that photos of another example simply cannot show.
What's the advantage of the birdshead grip over the standard plow handle?
The birdshead profile is shorter and curves down into the palm, which gives the revolver a more compact feel and helps it point naturally and quickly. The design traces back to the Colt Lightning and Thunderer era of the late 1870s. It manages recoil differently than a plow handle grip by rolling in the hand, and many people find it comfortable even with stouter loads.





Reviews
There are no reviews yet.