CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Who hath summoned me? 
The SAA is certainly in the running. Which is funny because William Mason designed it in a matter of months, in a rush after the army rejected the 1871-1872 Open Top. I would say the top three most beautiful revolvers are all neck and neck, depending on the eye of the beholder. For me, the SAA and 1860 are a photo finish.
For the SAA (and its derivatives) I would have historically said the 4¾" was the best of the bunch.
The 7½" guns have really grown on me, like this USFA Nettleton.
All of the "open top" Colt percussion guns and cartridge conversions are gorgeous sixguns. The Open Top cartridge model will always hold a special place in my heart.
But nothing is sexier than the 1860.
A close third has to be the Triple-Lock and to me the fixed sight guns are the most attractive, with four inchers taking top honors. Though I only have this 6½" 2nd model .44 Special.
Not a revolver but to me #4 overall is the 1911.
In revolvers, it must be one of the early S&W single actions. Here's my factory engraved Uberti Schofield from Taylor's.
Though a case could be made for any of them. The #3 Russian is pretty spiffy, though not my favorite for running fast.
It's interesting that all the best looking handguns were designed 100years ago or more and all within a 60yr timeframe. Nothing since comes close. Anything that does was directly derived from one of these five.
The SAA is certainly in the running. Which is funny because William Mason designed it in a matter of months, in a rush after the army rejected the 1871-1872 Open Top. I would say the top three most beautiful revolvers are all neck and neck, depending on the eye of the beholder. For me, the SAA and 1860 are a photo finish.
For the SAA (and its derivatives) I would have historically said the 4¾" was the best of the bunch.
The 7½" guns have really grown on me, like this USFA Nettleton.
All of the "open top" Colt percussion guns and cartridge conversions are gorgeous sixguns. The Open Top cartridge model will always hold a special place in my heart.
But nothing is sexier than the 1860.
A close third has to be the Triple-Lock and to me the fixed sight guns are the most attractive, with four inchers taking top honors. Though I only have this 6½" 2nd model .44 Special.
Not a revolver but to me #4 overall is the 1911.
In revolvers, it must be one of the early S&W single actions. Here's my factory engraved Uberti Schofield from Taylor's.
Though a case could be made for any of them. The #3 Russian is pretty spiffy, though not my favorite for running fast.
It's interesting that all the best looking handguns were designed 100years ago or more and all within a 60yr timeframe. Nothing since comes close. Anything that does was directly derived from one of these five.
