Interesting Vaquero on S&W Forum

[hittman]

I'll admit I'm not much of a single action guy so .... this looks like a mighty fancy Vaquero a member of the S&W Forum has questions about.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/610790-ruger-vaquero-value-question.html?posted=1#post140669310

Common?
Rare?
Distributor Edition?

 

[contender]

Well, I'm not a member there,, so I can't post comments there.

It's a Davidson's exclusive from several years ago. There were 12 variations of engraved, gold inlaid cylinder Vaqueros. And yes,, it's an original Vaquero. Some of the variations are quite limited in production numbers & more valuable than others. I remember when they came out,, and I was able to snag a few of the rarer ones myself. Hank Green did a NICE display of all the variations at an RCA show once if I recall correctly.
The 45 Colt ones were a bit more common than some others.

 

[rugerguy]

yes, and we recall they were NOT a great seller for them and Davidsons bought out all the remaining stock, and sold them CHEAP, two dealer friends of mine got them for $289 apiece, I know I took two of them and still had a hard time moving them at the OGCA back then,,,,,,,,oh well deals are deals , the 50th anniv .(1999) autos went out at $189 by the way, and the 50th anniversary 357/44 mag Blackhawks, CDNN closed them out ,with a glass show case too boot, and they went for UNDER $950 shipped!!! 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[contender]

The uncataloged, short bbl .44 mags were not made in any quantity. The blued or stainless ones brought a premium to the collectors.

 

[chet15]

Yes, all of those engraved models were actually offered to all distributors, and as mentioned, Davidson's bought the last of the stock.
Chet15

 

[PriseDeFer]

In the two photos it looks like the gold is not inlaid but layered onto the cylinder.
This is sort of tacky, not surprised they did not sell well.

 

[contender]

Actually,, the cylinders ARE scroll engraved & then the gold is added. I know,, as I have 3 of those guns.

 

[PriseDeFer]

Whoops, I dance the dance of remorseful regret. Insulting another man's gun is not cool.

 

[contender]

I didn't take it as an insult. Just a lack of direct knowledge. Besides,, that's partially what we come here for,, is an education! :D

No harm, no foul!

 

[LAH]

I didn't take it as an insult. Just a lack of direct knowledge. Besides,, that's partially what we come here for,, is an education! :D

No harm, no foul!

Spoken as a southern gentleman.