Need help for my dad. Old Vaquero engraved with cattle brand

[truevil]

Can anyone tell me anything about this Vaquero. It is stainless with stag or bone grips and most of it is engraved. It has 3 cattle brands on the cylinder. 3H, a backward R with a normal R, and a rocking X. I would post pictures but I have not figured that out yet on here. So far I have not been able to find another one like it. Long story short is my dad is a lawyer and a gun dealer friend of his needed dad's help. Dad did this guys legal work and the dealer paid him with this gun. He told my dad it was worth a lot of money, but I am almost positive he lied about the worth. Any help would be most appreciated!

 

[NitroAcres]

Worth is relative, depends on who engraved it...also who wants it...and what they are willing to pay.

That said, is it a Vaquero, New Vaquero, what caliber, what barrel length?
Photos, Photos...Photos.

(I have a cattle brand engraved Super, so I for one would love to see it).

 

[truevil]

Thank you for the reply.
It is a Vaquero ss# starts with 55 6 so I think it was made in 1995. It is chambered in 44-40.

 

[street]

Thank you for the reply.
It is a Vaquero ss# starts with 55 6 so I think it was made in 1995. It is chambered in 44-40.

That would make it an original Vaquero, with the large frame.

 

[cellar701]

I seem to recall Gary Reeder did some Vaqeros like that. Perhaps called a cowboy classic?? You could contact Reeder and ask but pics would help.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

The 44-40 caliber by itself was a very low volume production caliber and are very desirable to some.

 

[powder smoke]

Had a couple of them was drawn to the nostalgia, never could get them to group well! ps

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

The 44-40s usually had tight throats; once opened to correct size, mine were exceedingly accurate.

 

[z1r]

The 44-40s usually had tight throats; once opened to correct size, mine were exceedingly accurate.

In relation to the oversized .429-431" barrels, yes, they were. But relative to the bore dimensions prior .44-40's tended to have they were ok. But, as you say, opening them up to match the bore size did improve their accuracy considerably.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

The 44-40s usually had tight throats; once opened to correct size, mine were exceedingly accurate.

In relation to the oversized .429-431" barrels, yes, they were. But relative to the bore dimensions prior .44-40's tended to have they were ok. But, as you say, opening them up to match the bore size did improve their accuracy considerably.

It also means you will have to reload and neck up for a larger bullet. If you don't mind that, the 44-40 is a fine caliber.

I've seen pictures of the gun the OP spoke of, and you could give me one. Being rare, and valuable doesn't really jive with me. Rare makes it sound desireable which means people want to have it and develop an emotional attachment to it. I don't see that happening with that gun. I think the OP is correct in his assumption that the guy lied to his dad. JMO YMMV. It would be nice to see a picture to confirm my thoughts.

 

[s4s4u]

I think the OP is correct in his assumption that the guy lied to his dad.

Not so sure that he necessarily lied. He himself may have been under the impression that the gun was rare. Who knows the trail of ownership or who told whom what along the line.

 

[sandspur6]

There is a "Rocking X Ranch" in Weatherford, Texas. Might be a connection, as you are also in Texas.

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

The 44-40s usually had tight throats; once opened to correct size, mine were exceedingly accurate.

In relation to the oversized .429-431" barrels, yes, they were. But relative to the bore dimensions prior .44-40's tended to have they were ok. But, as you say, opening them up to match the bore size did improve their accuracy considerably.

It also means you will have to reload and neck up for a larger bullet. If you don't mind that, the 44-40 is a fine caliber.


As a cowboy action shooter, I found it much easier to find a variety of lead bullets and loads for the .429-.430 bullets (these are same as for 44 spec/44 mag, which are easily available) than for the original .427 44-40 bullets.