Ruger SS Vaquero with cylinder factory gold leaf .45 LC.

[Y2K]

Found this at a Rock Island Auction awhile back.

I believe that these were only made for a few years?

 

[contender]

These were a Davidson's distributor exclusive many years ago. I believe that they had a total of (12) variations that were done.
Some variations are quite rare.
I recall a display done several years ago in Boise or Tulsa with all 12 variations. Hank Green did that display.

 

[Y2K]

I believe that is correct.

Somewhere I have the list and the number of each variation produced

TY.

 

[Y2K]

Ruger Factory Engraved Vaquero​

In 1997 Ruger began marketing the first models of their engraved Vaquero series. Offered initially only in .45 Long Colt Caliber, engraved Vaqueros were eventually produced in 12 different models, blue/case color or high polish stainless, 4-5/8" or 5-1/2" barrel lengths and in additional calibers of .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum. The guns featured a gold-filled triangle of machine cut scroll engraving between each of the cylinder flutes as well as simulated ivory grips. The models did not prove to be successful as the consumer market decided that the engraving that was there was not representative of the significant additional cost to the buyer. The known serial number ranges and estimated quantities produced of each of the 12 models are as follows:

BNV-34IE (.357 Mag., 4-5/8" barrel),56-36421 to 56-52234 - 500 or less made

BNV-35IE (.357 Mag., 5-1/2" barrel), 56-32809 to 56-49936 - 500 or less made

KBNV-34IE (.357 Mag., 4-5/8" barrel), 56-44826 to 56-77805 - less than 500

KBNV-35IE (.357 Mag., 5-1/2" barrel), 56-42687 to 56-77469 - less than 700

BNV-474IE (44 Mag., 4-5/8" barrel), 56-38118 to 56-78252 - less than 350

BNV-475IE (.44 Mag., 5-1/2" barrel), 56-20805 to 57-19812 - less than 1,000

KBNV-474IE (.44 Mag., 4-5/8" barrel), 56-38755 to 56-78731 - less than 300

KBNV-475IE (.44 mag., 5-1/2" barrel), 56-53541 to 57-22665 - less than 1,000

BNV-44IE (.45 L.C., 4-5/8" barrel), 56-44251 to 57-20325 - less than 1,500

BNV-455IE (.45 L.C., 5-1/2" barrel), 56-23192 to57-15224 - less than 1,750

KBNV-44IE (.45 L.C., 4-5/8" barrel), 56-80755 to 57-11460 - less than 1,000

KBNV-455IE (.45 L.C., 5-1/2" barrel), 56-27713 to 57-03040 - less than 1,500

The above 12 models are considered by collectors to be the "creme-de-la-creme" series within the Vaquero. In mid-1999, the Gallery of Guns purchased the last of Ruger's stock totalling some 4,200 revolvers and the models were officially discontinued by Ruger. This was representative of roughly 40% of the total production!

 

[rugerguy]

and we can recall when Ruger sold out the lot to Davidsons, something like 2 or 3 pallets, and they were cheap, I worked with 2 dealers that bought at least 6-8 units each and they were LESS than $300 a gun any flavor...I had bought 2 myself one blued, one stainless and sold them a year later doubled my money....ha ha wish I had bought MORE , and kept them but hey I bought Colt 1911s and German Lugers back in the early 60's for $17.50 each,,,same scenario............WOW!

 

[contender]

Yep,, as noted,, those weren't highly accepted by consumers. The fun part was that a few of these guns were made in very low quantity.
I saw the ad from Davidson's back then,, while at a local dealers shop. I decided I wanted one of the 45 Colts. I asked him to order me one. He called, and said what I wanted wasn't in stock. I HAD wanted the 4-5/8" stainless gun.
Well, he said they did have the 5-1/2" bbl in 45 Colt. But I really wanted a 4-5/8" bbl. He asked & they had the 44 mags in stock.
I had him order me one, in SS.
It came in a few days later, & he called me. It took me a day later to get there.
He'd sold "my" gun. When I razzed him, he said; "I sell to you at a discount. This guy offered me almost double what I was going to sell it to you for. I figured I'd order you another one."
A little bummed,, I said go ahead.
He called me a few days later, and said my gun was in. I threatened him with severe consequences if he sold that one. I also immediately headed to his shop.
What he didn't know was that I'd done a bit of research. I found out that the 4-5/8" barrelled 44 mags were a "sorta mistake" and were VERY limited in numbers. At that time,, less than 200 stainless guns & less than 50 blued ones were the reported production numbers.
As I was fondling my new SS Vaquero,, I casually (and w/o any evidence to my knowledge of the very low production numbers,) said; "You know,, a blued one would be a nice match to this one. Can you call & see if they have any blued ones?"
He did,, and they had (2) of them. I casually said; "What the heck order me both of them."
Needless to say,, I was quite happy about getting those 3 guns! Even though later on,,more than my initial studying have shown up. But still a batch of 300 & a batch of 350 is still a very low production for any model.

 

[nra-life-member]

Very nice!!

 

[Y2K]

Well, someone made me an offer that I couldn't refuse so it has moved on to a new caretaker.