Gallagher 41 Special

BSA1 · Jun 26, 2026

I have a Ruger Old Model Single-Six that the late John Gallagher converted to 41 Special. After getting it back it has sat unfired on a shelf in my safe.

The bad news is none of my kids have interest in my guns so they don’t know what it is. I getting a little long in tooth so I would like for the next person to own it that understands the concept of the 41 Special and appreciates his work that went into creating this revolver. After he finished mine he said he wasn’t going to make anymore as it was too much work and I got the impression he built about 200 of them. After I got it back I decided it was too nice to carry and shoot.

My problem is deciding on how much to sell it for. Obviously it is not listed in The Blue Book and Gunbroker isn’t any help. So suggestions on how and where to list it for sale (auction on Gunbroker, here on the Classifieds or ???). Is there a website for owners of custom guns?

No pictures. If you know about Gallagher then you should know what the revolver looks like.

Moderators this is not a For Sale Post. I am trying to figure out how to get top dollar and the best way to sell it when I am ready sometime in the future.

Ale-8(1) · Jun 26, 2026

An article . . .

https://americanhandgunner.com/our-experts/revisiting-the-41-special/

And another . . .

https://americanhandgunner.com/our-experts/the-sixguns-of-john-gallagher/

GypsmJim · Jun 26, 2026

I am quite familiar with the .41 Special. But I'm cornfused how you could convert a Single Six (a .22?) into a .41 caliber.

Could the conversion have been from a Blackhawk?

Ale-8(1) · Jun 26, 2026

You manufacture a five-shot .41 cylinder and fit a .41 barrel and, PRESTO . . .

drycreek · Jun 26, 2026

Unfortunately, the only folks who are gonna pay what it’s worth are the few of us that know and love the idea of a custom gun, especially now that the talent pool is shrinking. So the market is small. There never were a bunch of guys capable of doing the work, and these are getting less and less. I never knew John Gallagher, but everyone who loves sixguns knows his reputation. Good luck !

DutchV · Jun 26, 2026

Your best bet would be Gunbroker. Take lots of photos, and show your receipt. Check out some finished auctions to see what the ballpark price range might be. Not sure what it might bring but prices are up there for quality work.

s4s4u · Jun 26, 2026

Hondo44 · Jun 27, 2026

It's hard to get full value on these premium conversions. There's no question about the value. It's worth the price of the conversion and the value of the original gun. The problem is that it only appeals to such a small slice of the buying public. It takes a very specialized desire by someone who can afford it. And if they can afford it, they'd likely order their own conversion with custom features that they prefer! So if you're not patient, you'll be lucky if you get what you paid for the conversion and you'll be giving the gun away for free w/o even getting its original price.
It's biggest appeal to most people is getting all that custom work for a bargain price.

I'd first offer it here on this forum (no commission, tax, etc.} And you'd probably get more value and interest by taking standard models in trade that could be resold easier and for their full value.

In your for sale ad be very specific about the details that were performed to make the conversion. Don't assume anyone will think of these details!
Making a .41 5 shot cylinder and installing a custom .41 Barrel are obvious.

Other work that's not so obvious for example:
As I recall the frame window was enlarged for the larger diameter cylinder.
The loading gate trough had to be enlarged, and maybe a midsize frame loading gate had to be downsized to replace the .22 loading gate.
The firing pin had to be modified from rimfire to center fire.
Custom polish and blue finish.
Were the sights modified or custom sights installed?
Does it have an action tune-up?
Custom grips?
Was the alloy grip frame replaced with a steel grip frame?
Was the alloy ejector rod housing replaced with a steel one?
Was a custom cylinder pin used?

rkrcpa · Jun 27, 2026

You can't place a sale ad but I would definitely post a link to any sale ad you do post over on Singleactions.com. There are a number of us 41 Spl fans over there and someone is bound to have serious interest in a Gallagher Single Six 41 Spl.

https://singleactions.proboards.com/

Kings6 · Jun 27, 2026

John built very few 41 Special single six revolvers according to his son Isaac. I had one of these few guns and recently let it go to friend of mine. Shot me a pm if you would like to visit about these little guns.

ChrisL · Jun 28, 2026

Hondo44 said:
It's hard to get full value on these premium conversions. There's no question about the value. It's worth the price of the conversion and the value of the original gun. The problem is that it only appeals to such a small slice of the buying public. It takes a very specialized desire by someone who can afford it. And if they can afford it, they'd likely order their own conversion with custom features that they prefer! So if you're not patient, you'll be lucky if you get what you paid for the conversion and you'll be giving the gun away for free w/o

Cost and value aren't the same. Ask any realtor about kitchen remodels. The value is the amount that a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to sell.

Ale-8(1) · Jun 28, 2026

ChrisL said:
Cost and value aren't the same. The value is the amount that a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to sell.

Amen.

Hondo44 · Jun 28, 2026

All true obviously and historically, but not germane to the OP's question. They both exist and only the cost is fixed. The value depends on the market, desirability, the method of selling, etc. The seller's challenge that he wants help with is to get the two, cost value and sales price as close as possible. That's the issue we should be addressing.

hittman · Jun 28, 2026

You have a pretty limited market of folks that may be willing to pony up for custom work in ( what many consider ) an odd or obscure caliber.

I feel you’ll maximize your return by sending it to auction or GunBroker.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Boxhead · Jun 28, 2026

ChrisL said:
Cost and value aren't the same. Ask any realtor about kitchen remodels. The value is the amount that a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to sell.

From what I am seeing that is not the case with Linebaugh and Bowen built guns.

GYJ44 · Jun 29, 2026

I never priced out this particular conversion so I'm no help. Plus the retirement and death of many of the top `smiths has had a profound effect on the value of the guns they worked on. Post this query on Single Actions, you'll get an idea of what it's worth and will no doubt fire up a bite or two. You'll have no problem getting top dollar for that gun.

Nordicmac · Jul 1, 2026

GunBroker auction is best for visibility and competitive bidding. Use a long auction (7-10 days), high-quality photos (all angles, cylinder open, markings, Gallagher details), and a thorough description highlighting the conversion, unfired status, and history. Start with a reasonable reserve.

mmc0311 · Wednesday at 6:33 AM

I sure would be interested in this awesome build. Please let us know if you post it and where.

Gallagher 41 Special

BSA1

Bearcat

Ale-8(1)

Hawkeye

GypsmJim

GypsmJim

Ale-8(1)

Hawkeye

drycreek

Single-Sixer

DutchV

Bearcat

s4s4u

Hawkeye

Hondo44

Hawkeye

rkrcpa

Single-Sixer

Kings6

Bearcat

ChrisL

Single-Sixer

Ale-8(1)

Hawkeye

Hondo44

Hawkeye

hittman

Moderator

Boxhead

Buckeye

GYJ44

Single-Sixer

Nordicmac

Bearcat

mmc0311

Bearcat

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