Vintage Catalog Classic: Herter’s Single Action Revolver (by H. Schmidt) – .357 Magnum
Long before the era of big-box outdoor retailers and internet shopping, Herter’s of Waseca, Minnesota, was the undisputed king of the American mail-order sporting goods catalog. Offering everything from duck decoys to firearms, Herter’s sourced affordable, high-quality products from all over the world. To meet the massive mid-century demand for Western-style six-shooters, Herter’s contracted with Herbert Schmidt of Ostheim, West Germany, to produce this rugged Colt Single Action Army clone.
Chambered in the potent .357 Magnum (and safely capable of firing affordable .38 Special ammunition), this West German import is a fantastic piece of mid-century Americana. Built with a heavy steel barrel and cylinder mated to a traditional alloy grip frame, it captures the iconic silhouette of the Old West at a fraction of the cost of a Colt. Whether you are a fan of classic catalog guns, a Western enthusiast, or just looking for a fun, vintage single-action plinker for the range, this H. Schmidt-manufactured Herter’s revolver is a fantastic working-class classic.
Product Specifications
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Manufacturer: Herbert Schmidt (Ostheim/Rhön, West Germany)
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Importer: Herter’s Inc. (Waseca, Minnesota)
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Model: Single Action (Colt SAA Clone)
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Caliber: .357 Magnum (Also safely fires .38 Special)
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Action: Single-Action Only (SAO) Revolver
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Capacity: 6 Rounds (Traditional side-loading gate)
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Barrel Length: 5.5 inches (Classic cavalry/artillery profile)
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Sights: Traditional fixed iron sights (Front blade with a rear receiver notch).
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Grips: Traditional smooth hardwood grips.
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Safety: Traditional half-cock hammer notch for loading and unloading.
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Finish: Blued steel barrel and cylinder with a black enameled alloy grip frame.
Condition Report
This Herter’s / H. Schmidt revolver is a previously owned, vintage sporting gun. It shows the expected, honest wear of a mid-century catalog gun that has seen actual use, but it remains a solid and mechanically functional shooter.
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Finish: Retains approximately 70-75% of its original finish. The blued steel barrel and cylinder show natural thinning, holster rub on the high edges, and a standard cylinder turn line. The alloy grip frame and trigger guard show typical enamel flaking and edge wear common to these West German imports, revealing the grey metal underneath. There is no active rust or deep pitting on the steel components.
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Bore: Good. The bore is bright with visible, intact rifling. There may be some light frosting in the grooves typical of its age, but nothing that would significantly impact standard range accuracy.
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Grips: The hardwood grips are solid with no structural cracks or major splits, displaying typical dings, dents, and a smooth, worn-in patina from handling.
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Mechanics: The single-action mechanism functions properly. The hammer clicks back securely into the half-cock loading position and the full-cock firing position. Cylinder lockup has a slight, standard amount of rotational play (typical for Schmidt clones) but times correctly and locks into place when the trigger is pulled.
