Old model .357

[frontstuffers]

Okay, stopped on the way home this morning at my local pawn shop. They are getting to know me pretty good by now. Anyway, they had a 6.5" 3 screw in their case for sale. Now I consider this a shooter as the grip frame had been polished (all blueing removed) as had the ejector housing, has had the conversion, and has one of the aftermarket vent ribs on it. Overall it looked to be in good condition and also looks to have been reblued as the blueing looked to bright and shinny to have been original. Not being a collector of these I could, of course, be mistaken. They also said that they had the box for it. I did not see the box so don't know if it is original or one of the shipping boxes that Ruger uses. They are asking $499 + tax, of course, for this. I checked the Ruger sight and it appears to be made in 1959. So! First things first, what would the original box look like? No, I didn't ask if the original parts from the conversion are included since I don't know if this is doable yet. Second, if not the original box, and no conversion parts are available, would $425 + tax be a good price for this. And lastly, no I don't plan on converting this to .44 special if I get it. Now keep in mind, I already have 10 .357's so this is not a missing caliber in the herd. Please let me know what you guys think. Oh, and depending on what the eagle is supposed to look like it appears to have the original walnut grips.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[frontstuffers]

One last thing on this, the last .357 I bought from them was a 4 5/8" barrel that had a super hammer and trigger fit to it and aftermarket grips. It was DEFINITELY in the shooter class. I got it for $350 and all things considered thought that was a good enough price to take it home with me. :roll:

 

[flatgate]

Well,
'59 vintage makes it a genuine Flattop.

I dunno how to remove that stinkin' vent rib but would suppose a bit of heat may do the trick. I'd say the "collector appeal" is "out the door" but then they "all" shouldn't be "safe queens". It's probably a perfect candidate for conversion to .44 Special!

flatgate

 

[frontstuffers]

okay guys, my bust. I forgot to include the prefix when I looked up the seriel number, it is a 1972 model. Sorry, been up since 4:30 a.m. and am on decaf. Que the Homer Simpson response here....Doh!

Thanks for the picture Flatgate, it alerted me to something being wrong, that being the grips and flat top. I also corrected my last post, I got the other 3 screw for $350 not $375. Been one of those mornings.

Would you happen to know what the original box would look like? I have a 200th .22 that I bought new and it came with the red, orange (?) box.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

for some like that i wouldn't pay more than 3 bills for it

 

[flatgate]

Close, but "no cigar" since the early guns did NOT have Model Numbers and neither did the boxes.

I have one around here someplace but can't locate the image. Sorry.

flatgate

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Lets see now it isn't a FT just a converted 3 Screw with a lot of blueing gone and you don't know if it has the old parts. You have 10 357s and you don't know what this is worth.
Sorry read the books.
I would back off unless it was the price of the parts :wink:

 

[deserttrans]

I would say a no go on that one.

 

[BearStopper]

I have bought two 4 5/8" 3 screw 357's all original and in excellent condition for $300.00 apiece. I personally would pass on it unless you get the original parts for it with it. Then at least it is restorable somewhat to original unless bling on a Single Action revolver is your thing. If its reblued then I would seriously consider using it for a base gun for conversion (hard to beat a 3 screw Med frame for most sixgun work). I personally don't like 357 in SA's as I have found my three to be less accurate than both my Security Six and my 44 Mag/Special Single Actions. 357 3 screws are semi plentiful so don't jump in too fast unless its the one!

 

[DGW1949]

Sounds like a $200 gun to me.

DGW

 

[frontstuffers]

Thanks for all of the replies. This is why I ask quetions like this, because not sure if a good price or not having little experience with the old models.