History on Birdshead revolvers

[Buffco]

I asked this before, somewhere, but didn't get much info on it.

From when to when did Ruger offer the Birdshead grip? And is this shape grip grounded in some historical firearm? Was there a specific manufacturer that used this style in years past?

And does anyone know if Ruger ever intends to offer the Birdshead again?

Thanks.

 

[MADDOG 521]

BTT----------------I would like to know also.

 

[flatheadsal]

don't know when Ruger started but this is an original Colt Lightning from 1899, flathead

 

[conder0289]

According to Jeff Quinn (http://www.gunblast.com) the Ruger Birds Head in 45 Cal Vaquero (Prototype) was introduced at the 2001 SHOT show

Birds Head grips were common on early cartridge pistols and small revolvers such as the Colt 41 Cal Derringer (Thuer Model) as well as the Lightning and Thunderer Models

My personal Ruger Birds Head is a New Model Single Six (Baby Vaquero) in 32 H&R Magnum, High Gloss Stainless with Black Micarta Grips.

I will post pictures soon, once I can get them to come out good

What am I saying, if you can see my avatar, then thats my gun. Only thing is that I have replaced all the screws, pins, base pin and latch with BLUED counterparts, hardly custom, but it does make it stand out a little more.

 

[toyhunt]

Is there a purpose for the birdshead or just style????????

 

[JWhitmore44]

Is there a purpose for the birdshead or just style????????

I think it makes the grip a little more compact. It takes away some of the heel of the normal grip. I would imagine the original idea "back in the day" was to make the gun more concealable.

 

[chet15]

And our friend Jow Bowman (may he rest in peace) had a hand in the design of Ruger's birdshead.
Chet15

 

[conder0289]

I believe the birds head grip was first used on Henry Deringer's Infamous 41 Cal Single Shot Pistol, which he started making in 1852 and was soon copied by small arms makers all around the country at the time

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... ringer.jpg

 

[conder0289]

This is a test

Never used Photobucket before

Hope it works

 

[Spencer]

I do not know if they plan on making anymore. I think it is a great idea for a milder round, not .44 mag or greater. I had mine made from a 4 5/8" OM flattop. The gripframe is Ruger, the hammer and trigger are from Clements, and Gallagher put it all together and made the grips for me. Got more in it than it is worth, but it is mine and I don't plan on selling so it makes no difference. I use it as a backpacking, woods bumming gun. Caliber is .357/.38 and I currently have a 9mm cylinder in it and it shoots fantastic groups at 15 yards.

 

[GP100owner]

Only thing is that I have replaced all the screws, pins, base pin and latch with BLUED counterparts, hardly custom, but it does make it stand out a little more.

I'd love to see some pictures of that. I just picked up a Ruger 32 today! I got the same model as you with the black grips. The shop had some of them with white grips as well.

I don't think Ruger is making anymore 32's in stainless and black, but when chatting with the gun shop owner today he seemed to think the blued birdshead would be around for a bit, and he though the birdshead in 45 LC was still in production, but wasn't sure.

 

[conder0289]

GP100owner

I will post Pictures soon as I get the hang of my Digital Camera :shock:

Ruger is not currently producing any Birds Head Models

They are still around though in gun shops here, but I would definitely look in the used cases, in my usual haunts they may have there used "NEW" guns for sale from 40 to 60% of the cost of a Factory new piece!!

Most people will buy a new gun, play around with it for a while and find it doesn't "fit" them. Hence the used case in the shop with many Brand Spanking New used guns

 

[bridgebuilder]

I got this 45Colt Sheriffs model in Cabelas used gun case. The grip works fine with mid level handloads

 

[conder0289]

Nice gun bridgebuilder,

Mind if i ask what it cost you?

We have a Cabela's here in Connecticut and my wife (Wonderful woman that she is) took me there as a surprise one day. Excellent!!!!!

I didn't want to leave, it was that overwhelming.

Since the store was only opened for a week, I didn't really get a chance to check out their used case, but I will have too soon.

 

[GP100owner]

That's too bad that Ruger isn't making them anymore. It's a handsome setup IMHO. I like the 45LC too. Beefier and meaner than the little 32, but I've been looking for a smaller trail gun for some time. This will go on the right side of rig opposite the Gp100 that sits in a perfectly weathered leather Hunter brand holster, crossdraw style.

Makes me want to hit the woods right now just talking about it.

 

[bridgebuilder]

Conder0289, I paid $525 at Cabelas. I was looking for a Montado, but nobody had one, so it was cheaper than ordering the Montado