Members in Lexington, Kentucky

[daveg.inkc]

Are there any members on this site from Lexington, KY? I recently bought an Old Model .45C/.45ACP Blackhawk. 1972 model. I paid for a letter from Ruger and this was shipped to a Galls Police Equipment Co. I called this business, but it has changed hands since.

 

[gunzo]

I'm not from Lex, but am very familiar with the store & have a fair amount of info on how the business was split up & the turn of events after Sid Gall passed, or wanted out.
I'll be glad to answer any questions I can. It was one heck of a place, it'll bring back some fine memories.

Edited to add that Sid Gall passed in 2008. He retired in 1983, & sold the business.

 

[daveg.inkc]

Here is the story. My LGS called me about 2 nice Blackhawks they got in. A deceased man's son was selling his collection of firearms. I bought both Old models. .45 Convertible, 7.5". And a 4 5/8" .357. I'm sure both have been shot, but are in excellent condition. The .45 was shipped to Galls store. I am going to get letter on the .357. It is in new like shape. The son also sold M77's. There is one left, .243 W. If anyone is interested. This man took pride and good care of his guns. This .45 has a polished aluminum grip frame and varnished grips. It is also the best shooting .45 I have handled.

 

[gunzo]

Pls. excuse my reading comprehension, not sure what you need to know about Galls. A very big store at the time with several departments in downtown Lex.. A treat to visit.

Sid Gall, the son in Phillip Gall & Son, who stepped in about 1969, decided to retire in 1983. The company was split up with the police sales, outdoor clothing/camping/skiing dept., & the gun dept. all going to different owners. The police sales have since been sold again, a national corporation. The business name changed slightly several times.

Hard to imagine how many guns that place sold. But if you wanted it, they were the most likely place to find it. I still have a few items from there.

The guns & related were sold to a dealer in Louisville. It took 7 full sized 18 wheelers to haul the inventory. That's a lot of guns.

 

[daveg.inkc]

Thanks! So, the Galls had FFL status and gun shop. I am just tracking where these Blackhawks come from. Do you suppose the dealer in Louisville still in business? Thanks for sharing this information. The man I spoke with at Galls Police Equip. said no one had a dealers license there. But I see there was 2 sides to this company.

 

[gunzo]

The Louisville dealer is long gone also. Have a heck of a time remembering his name, but know that FFL is defunct.

It's my understanding that when an FFL is given up, for what ever reason, that the sales records of that FFL go to the ATF & are stored in a warehouse. Even if the Lou. dealer was still in business, he would have no access to Galls log books. If legal type info is needed on a particular gun, the ATF hires someone to go through the defunct dealers books to find where the gun went from there. It is also my understanding that no other action constitutes the opening of a defunct dealers books. Or so they say :shock

 

[flattop44]

So Ruger actually sent you a letter stating that the gun was shipped to Galls Police Equipment Co. That's amazing, they normally will not say where a gun is shipped. Please post a picture of the letter for us to see.

Bill

 

[daveg.inkc]

Ok Bill, I will be happy to post a picture. Both of these Rugers are 1972 vintage. The letter states where guns were shipped and I looked up the name on internet. What made me curious was this .45 has varnished Ruger grips and aluminum polished grip frame. Several members here told me no .45 Blackhawks came like this. But it looks Factory to me. Kind of like the .44 Blackhawk on the cover Fall 2016 ROCS issue. Without engraving.

 

[JCW64]

That is interesting about Ruger including where or to whom it shipped. I have requested this info in the past when getting letters and it usually says" we regret to inform you that Ruger does not disclose to whom a gun was shipped" within the letter.
It may have been a one time slip through on your letter but hopefully Ruger has changed its policy regarding this.

 

[daveg.inkc]

Here is my letter,,

 

[daveg.inkc]

1972 BKH-45X,,,,,,

 

[JCW64]

That's a nice gun and interesting letter. Did you asked for Ruger to include to whom it was shipped?
On another note, I usually don't worry about showing gun serial numbers but am cautious about personal info like an address on a letter.

 

[daveg.inkc]

I don't remember if I asked or not. Thank you JCW. Both cylinders had small throats. .450" on Colt. .449" on Auto cyl. I reamed both to .453". The .45 Colt cylinder shoots excellent. The Auto cyl.is accurate. But 5 grs of Bullseye and200 gr XTP is anemic. Barely break bricks! Be a good choice for a beginner or my girlfriend to shoot. I found 21 grs of 2400 and 250 XTP to be accurate