Engraved Vaquero

[NickW]

Hello, I've been searching but there is very little information on factory engraved vaqueros. I picked up the below Vaquero in a multi gun trade, I know some folks don't like the engraving but I like the engraving and in 44 mag too. It came with fake pearl and ivory grips. That's all I know, any additional value/history info would be appreciated.

 

[Doug in Alaska]

I have no idea what it is worth but that is a beautiful handgun!

 

[6gun]

Nice!!!!! 44 mag. even my favorite single action cal. I like a small bit of engraving like that gun has looks good and not over done whats the barrel lenght on it? (pic don't show the end of barrel) $500+ depending on if you got the box with it or not.

 

[contender]

That looks like the Davidson's Distributor Special from 1997 & 1998. It should have gold inset in the engraving. The fake pearls aren't factory, but the ivory/poly grips should be. And, they are worth a bit more than $500.

 

[circlergrugers]

A serial number would help a lot.

 

[chet15]

From the pic it looks like there is at least a little of the gold in the cylinder engraving? Maybe it is an illusion that does not let us see the gold in the engravings?
But it looks like the model KNV-474-IE or KBNV-475IE. These were not a Davidso's exclusive...the were a regular Ruger offering in 12 different models, blue and stainless, cals .357, .45 and .44 and with 4-5/8" or 5-1/2" barrels. All had simulated ivory panels.
From my notes in the "Reference of Ruger Firearms", looks like there were probably less than 300 of the KBNV-474IE and and less than 1,000 of the 5-1/2" barreed KBNV-475IE.
Chet15

 

[NickW]

Serial number is 56-78696, barrel length is 4 5/8, the cell phone picture is not very good but the gold is all there. Thanks you.

 

[circlergrugers]

Here is the information on this engraved series, hope this helps you some.

These Ruger Vaquero’s were made in 1997 and 1998. They were shipped from the factory complete with the Gold Engraved cylinders. There are 12 different guns that make up the collection. Six are in 4 5/8” barrel length and six are in 5 ½” barrel length. They are in 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum and 45 Long Colt. With each one in Blue case color finish and stainless high polish finish.

KEY: “BNV” = BLUE BLACKHAWK NEW MODEL VAQUERO WITH CASE
COLOR FINISH CYLINDER FRAME

“KBNV” = STAINLESS BLACKHAWK NEW MODEL VAQUERO WITH
HIGH POLISH FINISH

“34” = 357 MAGNUM CALIBER, 4 5/8” BARREL
“35” = 357 MAGNUM CALIBER, 5 ½” BARREL
“474” = 44 MAGNUM CALIBER, 4 5/8” BARREL
“475” = 44 MAGNUM CALIBER, 5 ½” BARREL
“44” = 45 LONG COLT CALIBER, 4 5/8” BARREL
“455” = 45 LONG COLT CALIBER, 5 ½” BARREL
“IE” = WITH SIMULATED IVORY GRIPS, ENGRAVED

BNV-34-IE LESS THAN 500 MADE S/N RANGE 56-36421 – 56-52234
BNV-35-IE LESS THAN 500 MADE S/N RANGE 56-32809 - 56-49936
KBNV-34-IE LESS THAN 500 MADE S/N RANGE 56-44826 – 56-77805
KBNV-35-IE LESS THAN 700 MADE S/N RANGE 56-42687 – 56-77469
BNV-474-IE LESS THAN 350 MADE S/N RANGE 56-38119 – 56-78252
BNV-475-IE LESS THAN 1000 MADE S/N RANGE 56-20805 – 57-19812
KBNV-474-IE LESS THAN 300 MADE S/N RANGE 56-38755 – 56-78731
KBNV-475-IE LESS THAN 1000 MADE S/N RANGE 56-53541 – 57-22665
BNV-44-IE LESS THAN 1500 MADE S/N RANGE 56-44251 – 57-20325
BNV-455-IE LESS THAN 1750 MADE S/N RANGE 56-23192 – 57-15224*
KBNV-44-IE LESS THAN 1000 MADE S/N RANGE 56-80755 – 57-11460
KBNV-455-IE LESS THAN 1500 MADE S/N RANGE 56-27713 – 57-03040

* NOTE: THE EARLIEST BATCH OF THIS MODEL HAD A BOX LABEL THAT STATES THE CALIBER AS “.45 MAGNUM”

 

[NickW]

That helps a great deal, thank you very much. I would like to find a matching one but with only 300 made it may prove difficult. Once again thanks!

 

[6gun]

Serial number is 56-78696, barrel length is 4 5/8, the cell phone picture is not very good but the gold is all there. Thanks you.

With the 4 5/8" barrel I think you could get $600 or more easy if you were selling it because of the engraving, $500-$600 without engraving. most people want the 4 5/8" followed by the 5 1/2" they usally go for $450- $500, the 7 1/2" $350-$400, I'm just quoting what I've seen them go for nothing officail and just my opinion price wise.

 

[NickW]

Not for sale, its going to my Son when I go. Needed to know so I could add it to my home owners insurance. Thanks.

 

[contender]

For a gun that has very limited production, (approximately 300 guns) a price of $600 would be a steal. And chet15 is correct in that it wasn't Davidsons exclusive. My memory was that mine came from them & I was thinking they did it as an exclusive.
Very nice guns and hard to find in the KBNV-474-IE. (I only have one, but I do have a pair of the BNV-474-IE's.) And no, none of mine are for sale.

 

[6gun]

Not for sale, its going to my Son when I go. Needed to know so I could add it to my home owners insurance. Thanks.

I'd put at least $1200 on it for insurance purposes, it would be hard to find a replacement, the 44mag is no longer being made in a Vaquero.

 

[chet15]

Not for sale, its going to my Son when I go. Needed to know so I could add it to my home owners insurance. Thanks.

I'd put at least $1200 on it for insurance purposes, it would be hard to find a replacement, the 44mag is no longer being made in a Vaquero.

Man, where were you a couple years ago? We had a hard time getting $600 out any of the "IE" models we sold a couple years ago on Auction Arms!
Chet15

 

[Tomcat]

I have one... I got from my father when he passed and I am looking for a match... if anyone is intereseted in selling one please look me up at (907)209-9207.

Thanks
Tom

I do believe the .44 was a limited edition through davidsons... but the others went to other dealers... at least thats what my brother said... who got the gun for my father from Davidsons... when he worked for them...

 

[6gun]

I have one... I got from my father when he passed and I am looking for a match... if anyone is intereseted in selling one please look me up at (907)209-9207.

Thanks
Tom

I do believe the .44 was a limited edition through davidsons... but the others went to other dealers... at least thats what my brother said... who got the gun for my father from Davidsons... when he worked for them...

There are plenty of guns like yours around with that engraving hit a few gun shows and you might find one, I know I see them often at shows, might be more difficult to find one in 44mag. and not many people will give them up, 45's are real easy to find.

 

[rugerguy]

I recall some years back, when Ruger was closing them out, there were bunches of the engraved guns, from what we were told they had like 7 pallets of Vaqueros, and the engraved ones were UNDER $300 apiece, in whatever caliber or finish you wanted, my friends shop bought like two dozen of them back then,....wish we had bought more of them at that time :shock: , and yes, it was Davidsons that bought this lot, so as Chad noted it was NOT a "Davidsons" exclusive model, BUT was a "special sale" by them .................. :wink:

 

[chet15]

Yes....Davidson's bought the last of the stock that Ruger had....hundreds of guns as I remember. They just weren't selling fast enough for Ruger's taste...of course, the minimal amount of engraving and the high price of the fake ivories put them over the top for most peoples taste. Made some of the models pretty rare.
Chet15

 

[JCCVaquero]

This one was done for me by Ruger's Studio of Art and Engraving in 2007 Heidi Roos signed and dated it. I think the Studio closed shortly afterward.

I paid 360.00 for the gun and 650.00 for the engraving.