Ruger Bisley" Bowen 45 Colt"

[Flat Top]

Would anyone have a rough value for something like this?

New octagon barrel, ejector rod and housing, new cylinder 5 shot for .45 colt and extended, complete action rework, elevation front sight blade, Bowen rear sight, color case and bluing. I know what it cost originally just looking for an estimate in todays dollars.

 

[s4s4u]

Depends on just what all was Bowen'd to it, bearing in mind that you don't usually get back all that you put into a "custom".

https://www.bowenclassicarms.com/catalog/catalog_price_list.html

 

[mhblaw]

When I sell a Bowen, I price it based on my cost, plus for inflation over time since I acquired it.
My sales have usually been to Bowen fans/collectors much younger than me.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

I suspect you already know it's quite valuable. And, with Bowen retiring, you'll soon be able to name your price.

 

[Robb Barnes]

With Hamilton closing his books and not taking any more work, the market is pretty darn fluid for custom like this. If it were mine, I would put it on Gun Broker with penny start and a seven day auction ending on a Sunday evening around 7pm. I know it takes a gulp and a deep breath to do a penny auction on a gun like this but there are enough guys looking for guns like this that it should bring very good money. I would not be surprised if it were not north of $4k or closer to $5K. I really wish I had kept my 5 shot 45 Hamilton did but I was able to slide an old model 45 Colt Ruger into the shop under the deadline for a re-chamabered 44 mag cylinder conversion along with changing it to a bisley.

 

[twriggen]

I'm a sucker for a Bowen Custom and have two of them but I have never paid what it would have cost for the work to be done in the first place. Very seldom do you find the person that would have the build exactly the same as the one you have done. Case in point, I really like yours but if it's a 45 Colt I want all 6 rounds instead of only 5.

It never hurts to start at that build price and hope you can find that person that is looking for that exact build. You can always come down later.

Good luck.

 

[GYJ44]

Probably more than you have in it. Figure replacement cost plus.

 

[Fiddler33]

That is a nice gun, are you thinking of posting here or on gunbroker? Also on the frame where it says ruger/blackhawk and above the trigger are those scratches or just some smutz?

 

[mhblaw]

A recent family situation has made me think more of divestment sooner rather than later. I have three Bowen customs left; a 5.5” 38-40, a 5.5” 44-40 and a 7.5” 44 Special. Will be posting in the classifieds soon.

 

[Flat Top]

I'm a sucker for a Bowen Custom and have two of them but I have never paid what it would have cost for the work to be done in the first place. Very seldom do you find the person that would have the build exactly the same as the one you have done. Case in point, I really like yours but if it's a 45 Colt I want all 6 rounds instead of only 5.

It never hurts to start at that build price and hope you can find that person that is looking for that exact build. You can always come down later.

Good luck.

View attachment 80432

Really nice revolvers and great grips. The Bowen customs are absolutely fantastic firearms.

The one 45 Colt shown is one that is set up for a 350 grain cast bullet at 1400 to 1500 fps. The bullet is just a little longer than normal and somewhat heavier for penetration. The marks shown on the revolver are mainly dust with the exception of the cylinder lock drag marks.

Sorry to say that at this time the 45 Colt Bowen is not for sale.