Some Guns with "character"

[cellar701]

Pisgah's post in another thread reminded me that I do have some photos of some of my guns with "character." I won't call them ugly - but they've seen some use and care in their lifetime - some have seen some hard use, but deserve some work to bring them back.

 

[peachhead]

Nothing wrong with wear from good old honest use.
I end up with a lot of guns that look like they have had better days. I bought an old model single six once, from a pawn shop in Alaska. It looked like it had been dropped on the pavement and kicked across the parking lot. I got it pretty cheap though and it shoots great.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

 

[rugerguy]

...and that is usually ,how an old Colt look s like...........

 

[cellar701]

I like that!

I'll share another one - not a ruger but a Smith 25-2 which was well used but not abused. Shot great, but not the best size for a packing pistol:

I was able to modify that one a bit into a version with its own bit of "character." Just shortened the barrel and some rust blue.

 

[Armybrat]

This .380 Remington Model 51 was carried by my wife’s grandfather (a prominent local builder) from the 1920s until the early 50s.
Never have considered rebluing it.

 

[mk70ss]

 

[JAYDAWG]

 

[stevem]

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

This one had character, just not good character.

It started life as a 10" .44 flattop but somewhere along the line it got cut down to 7" (not 6.5", not 7.5") but the mods stopped before getting a front sight on it. The grips really made it special. I wish I had taken a pic when it was together, but I did not. I was planning on parting it out, but as I recall, one of the custom revolver builders bought the whole thing as a bag of parts - except he didn't want those awesome grips. I think they are still here somewhere.

 

[cellar701]

Wow - that’s almost as ugly as the one “flatgate” used to show…

 

[Hertervillian]

I keep my eyes open for a W German SIG P-226 with plenty of character. Not sure why even, but it just appeals to me.

 

[mr.deerstalker]

This one had character, just not good character.
View attachment 64749
It started life as a 10" .44 flattop but somewhere along the line it got cut down to 7" (not 6.5", not 7.5") but the mods stopped before getting a front sight on it. The grips really made it special. I wish I had taken a pic when it was together, but I did not. I was planning on parting it out, but as I recall, one of the custom revolver builders bought the whole thing as a bag of parts - except he didn't want those awesome grips. I think they are still here somewhere.
View attachment 64750

bob, I got an extra 10in FT barrel if you need it. mr..DS

 

[ned]

A friend just got this for essentially pocket change. Do you think a replacement rear sight could be found and replaced or maybe just send it to Ruger for repair/ replacement of sight.

 

[rugerguy]

there is NO need to have to send that gun back to the mothership, as it can be done with a simple addition of the parts I can see in the pictures that are 'bad' , the grip frame, the missing sight and the ejector housing and it would be a world of difference, all parts easily to be found, and fairly easy to re-install, hell the rear sight and the housing would be done in a matter of minutes....BUT that being said , if there is any doubt, by all means contract Ruger and yes they can and will restore/redo what is needed , just wanted to save you time as well as money, it just need a bit of 'TLC' and can be done with parts laying around some shops ( the frame I don't have at the moment) have to see it , to see if it could even be recoated maybe) never know whats out there, even a forum member who may be near you????
.......to bad AZ is so far away, you could stop by here anytime.

 

[Ride1949]

A friend just got this for essentially pocket change. Do you think a replacement rear sight could be found and replaced or maybe just send it to Ruger for repair/ replacement of sight.

Here's a quick search of what's available. Take your pick.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=rear+sights+for+Ruger+Blackhawk&t=brave&ia=web
Ejector rod housing:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ruger+blackhawk+ejector+rod+housing&t=brave&ia=web

 

[ned]

Thanks. This will be fun….he is new to guns….great place to start

 

[ned]

there is NO need to have to send that gun back to the mothership, as it can be done with a simple addition of the parts I can see in the pictures that are 'bad' , the grip frame, the missing sight and the ejector housing and it would be a world of difference, all parts easily to be found, and fairly easy to re-install, hell the rear sight and the housing would be done in a matter of minutes....BUT that being said , if there is any doubt, by all means contract Ruger and yes they can and will restore/redo what is needed , just wanted to save you time as well as money, it just need a bit of 'TLC' and can be done with parts laying around some shops ( the frame I don't have at the moment) have to see it , to see if it could even be recoated maybe) never know whats out there, even a forum member who may be near you????
.......to bad AZ is so far away, you could stop by here anytime.

Thank you. I am eager to get my hands on it….if timing and lock up seems good…off to the range….I will start with some light .38 wad cutters….he is going to order sights….will add ejector housing….

 

[GunnyGene]

Not Rugers that would qualify for inclusion in this thread, but I submit the 2 long guns at the top of this display.

1860 Penn Long Rifle by Bown and Son, Philadelphia.
1880's 12 gauge rabbit ear double w/laminated steel barrels - Belgium. Imported by Chatham Arms.

Click to enlarge:

 

[stonebuster]

Pre-Model 10 mfg 1950, same as me.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

I just discovered a folder on my PC called Ugly_Guns and this was in it:

I know I never owned that, and I forget where the pic came from, but it is dated 2011.

This was the only other pic in there, same file date, so maybe they were sold together in an auction lot.:

 

[mk70ss]

Star Model D 9mm

 

[Laserbait]

I just discovered a folder on my PC called Ugly_Guns and this was in it:

View attachment 64982

Oh god, my eyes! Where's the bleach!?

 

[Uncle Howie]

View attachment 64983

I LIKE that! That was somebody’s pet project, back in the day!

I’ve been paging through Alfred Goerg’s Pioneering Handgun Hunting, there are lots of neat projects/experiments in that book, as well.

Someday, I’d like to replicate Hal Swiggett’s old 3” Charter Pathfinder. It was scoped with a tiny “Hutson Handgunner” scope. I remember seeing him posing in numerous pictures holding that revolver… usually holding a critter of some sort in his other hand!

 

[cellar701]

OK, getting out of the "ugly gun" category I'll show another one of mine with some honest "character." This one is an old model super single six I acquired some years back from a fellow forum member. He stated it was a great shooter, used and loved by him, his kids and grandkids. I've found he was entirely accurate in his description and I've kept up the tradition - it has honest wear and is a great shooter. It is converted and I've kept it that way to make it very user friendly and easy to handle by the kids, grandkids and friends who aren't so "expert" at gun handling... A couple of photos:

 

[cellar701]

I'll add a couple of guns here that have a different type of "character" - somewhat modified over the years to meet the owner's needs/desires. Stainless blackhawk is originally .357 converted to .44 special and magnaported... And a .45 Blackhawk new model with various upgrades including changing the pins to actual screws - pretty cool, I think: