2 interesting revolvers

[Captain Slapnuts]

I recently acquired 2 interesting revolvers. Here's the story I got on them, what does everyone here think?

1. Ruger Vaqeuero. 45 CAL, case hardened frame, blued barrel. The story is that it's one of the very early ones that were built on a Blackhawk frame, and capable of shooting stouter loads than the newer Vaqueros. Honestly, the color combinations on this gun look a little odd, but I like it.

2. Ruger GP 100, 357 MAG. Doesn't really look shot much, if at all. The story here is that there is a little mark, almost an asterisk preceding the serial number. This means it was once in Rugers company archives, which they thin out from time to time. Gun was acquired by the previous owner probably sometime in the 1990s. Really nice looking gun, blued.

 

[PRichardson87]

Welcome to the forum, pics are always appreciated!

 

[hittman]

Welcome to the forum

 

[gunman42782]

Welcome to the forum! The Vaquero does not have a real color case hardened frame, it was some sort of chemical process that they applied to the frame. It is notorious for rusting if you don't keep it oiled up.

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

Photos

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

Welcome to the forum! The Vaquero does not have a real color case hardened frame, it was some sort of chemical process that they applied to the frame. It is notorious for rusting if you don't keep it oiled up.

No kidding? Odd cop out that surprises me, coming from Ruger...

 

[stonebuster]

Love that GP100. Half lug fixed sights are my favorites. Closest I've got is a Police Service Six. Welcome!

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

The GP is the one that supposedly was in Rugers' collection.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

These must be the pics of the revolvers mentioned in the other thread. I mentioned having them appraised, but now seeing the pics I would just start by inquiring with Ruger about them. Maybe a quick serial number search on the Ruger website.

Additionally, I'd shoot them no worries.

 

[Timbo23]

Welcome to the forum! The Vaquero does not have a real color case hardened frame, it was some sort of chemical process that they applied to the frame. It is notorious for rusting if you don't keep it oiled up.

I collected 'original, big frame' Vaqueros when they first came out. They were made in polished stainless or blue and 'color case' finish. It's an applied finish not the result of a heat treatment to hardened the surface of the metal. Colt used a heat treatment on the frames of their SAA that gave a beautiful, colorful affect.
Unfortunately, the applied finish on the Vaquero is not very robust and will scratch and wear fairly easily. I ordered a Vaquero that came with rusty spots on the color case areas from some liquid that Ruger used in assembly. You could see how it dripped along the frame. Luckily the rust was superficial and only effected the color case areas but not the blueing. It came off with just an oily rag but left some places slightly dull. You really have to look at it right to tell.
Ruger doesn't use this process anymore and New Vaqueros come as stainless or blue overall.

 

[Rclark]

Ruger doesn't use this process anymore and New Vaqueros come as stainless or blue overall.

Wish they still did. I like my original Vaquero with the case coloring. Fades a bit over time, but that just adds 'age' character to the revolver. Shooters all of them. No special value as far as I can tell, nor do I care. All mine are shooters.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!

Ok, as noted above,, the coloring is just that, a coloring,, not actual case hardening. Keep it oiled & it'll be fine.
It was an offering that Ruger stopped after they discovered it wasn't going to be a good finish in the long term. Tens of thousands made like that.
An the frame,, yes,, a Blackhawk frame,, and can handle heavier loads.

The GP-100.
The "asterisk" in front of the serial number can mean one of a couple of things.
A "used" gun that was returned for work, repaired, and re-sold.
A used gun that was a salesman sample at one time,, and used as a display or handling gun. (Such as a few trade shows.)

Those guns can sometimes bring a bit of a premium, if verified as such. I'd recommend spending $10, and get a factory letter with details on the gun.

Guns that Ruger has kept in their archives don't always get any special markings etc.

 

[rugerguy]

Good info above, and no , not a "cop out" but Rugers way of giving the customer what they wanted, back then, the "case color" effect, as the main reason being is the Ruger casting parts are of a 4140 chrome moly alloy and being a "complex" metal cannot be "case hardened", BUT today some like Tylers and Turnbulls,use a lower temp process to "case color" but not effect the hardening as 'chrome moly ' when hardened can become 'brittle', and yes we've seen and had some early old models that folks tried to "case color harden" and they did become brittle and broke off internally, the cylinder frame. Many years ago when we had our shops, one outfit here in OHio ,'Springfield Case Coloring' after a short 'try' would NOT take in ANY Rugers for their process, found out the hard way,,,,,BUT Tylers and Turnbulls got it down pat with their way of doing it, as they may call it, "proprietary" process ( bottom line a lower temperature) from we were told back in the 1970s ........
I've had a few guns by Bobby Tyler and they came out awesome and their 'case color" does NOT wash off , fade with too much cleaning, yes, ultraviolet light ( sunlight?) can make "case color" fade, naturally........Rugers original "inked" process can be cleaned and polished off, yes we;ve reblued a few of the original Vaqueros for folks and they come out quite nicely, and are better being the larger, sturdier fame , and you can use any and ALL "Ruger loads" ( hot and big )

...and as to your 2nd question good info as to the markings of an 'asterisk' for ther gun being redone, returned from sample testing, what ever and even salesmans samples....as noted the 'letter' from Ruger should point this out.....

 

[hittman]

Here's how they used to mark some "factory seconds" what went to gun writers or SHOT shows, etc.

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

Good info above, and no , not a "cop out" but Rugers way of giving the customer what they wanted, back then, the "case color" effect, as the main reason being is the Ruger casting parts are of a 4140 chrome moly alloy and being a "complex" metal cannot be "case hardened", BUT today some like Tylers and Turnbulls,use a lower temp process to "case color" but not effect the hardening as 'chrome moly ' when hardened can become 'brittle', and yes we've seen and had some early old models that folks tried to "case color harden" and they did become brittle and broke off internally, the cylinder frame. Many years ago when we had our shops, one outfit here in OHio ,'Springfield Case Coloring' after a short 'try' would NOT take in ANY Rugers for their process, found out the hard way,,,,,BUT Tylers and Turnbulls got it down pat with their way of doing it, as they may call it, "proprietary" process ( bottom line a lower temperature) from we were told back in the 1970s ........

Good info...is Ruger still re-bluing these revolvers? You sound like you work for them.

 

[rugerguy]

no, I did not, about the only one I did not get involved with to work on their guns, do warranty repairs, like Dan Wesson, and High Standard, though I did try and keep in touch with some of the mgrs for various departments at Ruger, as I wanted to learn more about their products back then, especially as they were trying to get into the law enforcement market and that was our 'forte' as we refinished revolvers for some of the local PDs back then, and even worked around and try to shoot with with some of the top LE shooters in the business back then, trying to learn more of the market and what they were trying to do,,,BUT the semi autos were coming into being more and more for carry (duty) guns and I was NOT an "auto" guy, except for my Colt NM 1911s and High Standard Trophys,my favorites .22's and .45 acp, versus our liking of the Dan Wesson revolvers, and shooting .38 spcl in PPC.........ah yes, wish I stayed with it more but we had a new, young family back then, made it tough to work full time security and PD and try and run a full time gun shop, repair business..........sadly I had 4 other partners in the shop and I am the LAST One standing..........but they and I met and worked with some awesome folks all around the country.......

 

[freakindawgen]

There is this stuff. Thought about it but then did what I needed with cold blue

COLOR CASE-HARDENING PATINA KIT

Premium Steel Patina Kit for Color Case-Hardening of Firearms or Carbon Steel Knife Blades. No Heat Required!

steelfxpatinas.com