RUGER "Old Army" 45 Cal. Revolver..??
..Serial # 140 - 37007 - Blue - 7 1/2 Barrel with adjustable rear target sight-Walnut Grip's - Excellant exterior condition and appears totaly un-molested screws or slightly used and very well cared for - bore appears perfect.
Now for the "Paul Harvey" (The rest of the story)..The guy states he won this DONATED Handgun approximately 25 years ago in a "VFW' Lottery;the proceeds went to the VFW. He states the ticket price was $2.00 - along with the gun (No Box)-he brings a belt, holster,patch&ball container, and approx. 100 rd ball bullets (45 Cal). Ruger nipple wrench & other extra's....NO reason to doubt the story he gave thus far..
He further stated he had no knowledge of how to use it nor has he EVER done anything with it since he won it.
I believe his story because when he brought the Gun to me it had all cylinders loaded (WITH CAPS - Hammer down on One :yikes::yikes:) Crisco or some sort of hard wax or grease covering the bullets on the front of the cylinder, Stainless Nipples in excellant shape after cleaning & Inspection.
He wanted to know if it would be safe to shoot "AS IS" (Meaning shoot the loads contained in the Cylinder); so as to further clean it. I suggested NO!
After going on-line to the RUGER website I removed the Cylinder and nipples; no powder came out (per Ruger instructions and NO surprise to me after 20 + years).
I then placed the Cylinder in a hotwater bath (totally immersed) at about 165 degrees's until the grease melted off from in front of the bullets.
I immediately used my air compressor (120 Lb) nozzle on the nipple opening and blew the bullets out of the cylinder chambers. (powder,water etc). Further cleanup on the chambers was necessary as some powder was still caked in the chambers. There is some pitting and rust at the base of the cylinder but not terrible.
At this point after cleaning and inspecting I feel the Gun can be loaded and shot (per Ruger Instructions).
So.. Several questions....
1 - Can someone date the handgun by the Serial # 140 - 37007
2 - Comments on the process I used to "empty" the Cylinders..
3 - Approx value as I've described above..(pic's as quick as I can).
Mike
8 Attachment(s)
Additional Info and Pic's
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike Haas
..Serial # 140 - 37007 - Blue - 7 1/2 Barrel with adjustable rear target sight-Walnut Grip's - Excellant exterior condition and appears totaly un-molested screws or slightly used and very well cared for - bore appears perfect.
Now for the "Paul Harvey" (The rest of the story)..The guy states he won this DONATED Handgun approximately 25 years ago in a "VFW' Lottery;the proceeds went to the VFW. He states the ticket price was $2.00 - along with the gun (No Box)-he brings a belt, holster,patch&ball container, and approx. 100 rd ball bullets (45 Cal). Ruger nipple wrench & other extra's....NO reason to doubt the story he gave thus far..
He further stated he had no knowledge of how to use it nor has he EVER done anything with it since he won it.
I believe his story because when he brought the Gun to me it had all cylinders loaded (WITH CAPS - Hammer down on One :yikes::yikes:) Crisco or some sort of hard wax or grease covering the bullets on the front of the cylinder, Stainless Nipples in excellant shape after cleaning & Inspection.
He wanted to know if it would be safe to shoot "AS IS" (Meaning shoot the loads contained in the Cylinder); so as to further clean it. I suggested NO!
After going on-line to the RUGER website I removed the Cylinder and nipples; no powder came out (per Ruger instructions and NO surprise to me after 20 + years).
I then placed the Cylinder in a hotwater bath (totally immersed) at about 165 degrees's until the grease melted off from in front of the bullets.
I immediately used my air compressor (120 Lb) nozzle on the nipple opening and blew the bullets out of the cylinder chambers. (powder,water etc). Further cleanup on the chambers was necessary as some powder was still caked in the chambers. There is some pitting and rust at the base of the cylinder but not terrible.
At this point after cleaning and inspecting I feel the Gun can be loaded and shot (per Ruger Instructions).
So.. Several questions....
1 - Can someone date the handgun by the Serial # 140 - 37007
2 - Comments on the process I used to "empty" the Cylinders..
3 - Approx value as I've described above..(pic's as quick as I can).
Mike
After cleaning the Cylinder I re-cleaned it with Thompson Center Arms Co. Solvent and wiped with Thompson's "Bore Butter" which gives the Blued Finish a slightly Dull appearance; regular Gun Oil makes the finish shine as new.
The handgun "IS NOT FOR SALE" - Info request posting only in an attempt to help out a WW2 Vet.
Mike
Pic's attached -
