Caliber question on a VERY RARE Old Army

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I have 140-00500 (see chad's reference book #1 pg 182. How do I tell the caliber.

This was owned by a Ruger executive. The shipper has the SN and stamped 44. The 2 piece box with it is marked 45. Theredoesmnot seem to be a caliber mark on the gun...How do I tell what it is
 
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golferboy426 said:
I have 140-00500 (see chad's reference book #1 pg 182. How do I tell the caliber.

This was owned by a Ruger executive. The shipper has the SN and stamped 44. The 2 piece box with it is marked 45. Theredoesmnot seem to be a caliber mark on the gun...How do I tell what it is

they are all the same caliber...
 

hittman

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Your gun is mentioned in RENE Reference Guide Vol 1 on page 100 but sorry I don't know the answer to your caliber question.

Regardless of caliber RENE agrees this one is very rare. Good for you.
 
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hittman said:
Your gun is mentioned in RENE Reference Guide Vol 1 on page 100 but sorry I don't know the answer to your caliber question.

Regardless of caliber RENE agrees this one is very rare. Good for you.

Pg 182 of the original pocket version

BTW Tomorrow I've got a Ruger Service Six roll mark (not Police Service Six) being listed 380 rim
 

RSIno1

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hittman said:
Your gun is mentioned in RENE Reference Guide Vol 1 on page 100 but sorry I don't know the answer to your caliber question.

Regardless of caliber RENE agrees this one is very rare. Good for you.
Maybe now the front sight blade question can be answered.
 

contender

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The RENE Guide,, Revision 4, printed in 2010 (the last one Chad did) doesn't list that gun specifically.

To check bore diameter,, a soft lead ball can be driven through the bore & measured for diameter.
 
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NikA said:
I've not heard of ROA in any caliber than .44 BP. .44 should take a .451-.457 ball depending on manufacturer; perhaps that's the reason for the .45 marking.


Yep. AFAIK, the Old Army revolvers use the same barrels as the .45 Blackhawks, which are .451" bore. The instructions say to use a .457" ball. Some of the boxes are labeled .44 caliber while others are labeled .45 caliber.

Loading a .457" ball into the cylinder produces a little circular ring of lead shaved off the ball, producing a nice tight fit of the ball in the chamber.
 

hittman

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contender said:
The RENE Guide,, Revision 4, printed in 2010 (the last one Chad did) doesn't list that gun specifically.


Look again. Page 100. Right column, sixth paragraph from the top.

"Also, s/n 140-00500 is a BP-7B but it is not known ........ high polish and was the property of a Ruger executive."
 
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I have the same thing with #594. It has brass frame, high polish, and flat top front sight. I was lucky enough to get both of Elmer Keith's Old Armies with #15; blued one has brass frame added by Keith.
 
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Ruger44fan said:
I have the same thing with #594. It has brass frame, high polish, and flat top front sight. I was lucky enough to get both of Elmer Keith's Old Armies with #15; blued one has brass frame added by Keith.


so you like old Army's... we have the 2 prototypes for the Texas Centennial
 

contender

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hitman,, you are correct. I missed it. I must have overlooked it when it went to the quantities & all. (Picture facepalm to forehead!)
:D :D
 

Onty

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golferboy426 said:
I have 140-00500 (see chad's reference book #1 pg 182. How do I tell the caliber.

This was owned by a Ruger executive. The shipper has the SN and stamped 44. The 2 piece box with it is marked 45. Theredoesmnot seem to be a caliber mark on the gun...How do I tell what it is
Some years back I purchased from a fellow 2 ROA. One was identified as 44, another one 45. Both were the same caliber. I ques, this 44 label was influenced by earlier guns, like Remington 1858 and various Colt C&B revolvers. Later revolvers Ruger identified properly as 45 cal.

wp0eb14191_05_06.jpg
 

chet15

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Ruger44fan said:
I have the same thing with #594. It has brass frame, high polish, and flat top front sight. I was lucky enough to get both of Elmer Keith's Old Armies with #15; blued one has brass frame added by Keith.

Does your 140-00594 letter as brass? I'll have to check Dougan's list tonight. If it letters as BP7B those are really rare!! only 2 known out of maybe 30 made (where are they all at???).
Chet15
 
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