Super Bearcat without ejector rod?

[Lefaucheux]

Dear Ruger enthusiasts,
I am a bit familiar with Ruger revolvers. Today I came across this little fellow and did a bit of research. It is from 1971 according to the Ruger website. (1 year older than me)
I have searched the internet and can not find any other ejectorless Bearcat. Although as a target shooter I really like having adjustable sights and an elector makes life easier too, I really like this little revolver.
But what is it? Is it a normal Ruger run or a special edition?

 

[GasGuzzler]

Custom? Did Bearcats from that era have smooth engraved cylinders? There's what looks like a run in the finish (paint???) on the recoil shield left side that looks weird. The grips don't match and one has a big scuff on it not consistent with the rest of the gun's condition. Also looks like the screws have been messed with. Waiting for the experts ...

 

[Lefaucheux]

Better pictures

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Those look to be German proof marks, correct?
It was proofed in 1972 and the back of the cylinder will (should) have the same stamps. Left side has a caliber RM or stamp.
Looks to be a foreign custom job
Terry

 

[Lefaucheux]

Yes, that is correct. German proof marks.
I did not yet think about the possibility that it is someone's project.
That would explain I could not find a similar one. Not a bad job.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!

That Super Bearcat is not a factory item. That's a custom. A nice looking custom,, but still a custom!

 

[hittman]

“Cal 22 lfB” too.
Made in 1971 from Ruger’s records.

 

[Fox Mike]

“Cal 22 lfB” too.
Made in 1971 from Ruger’s records.

True it was a '71 but that was for the original revolver. That particular one has been much 'modified'.

 

[Fox Mike]

This is a modified long barrel Cat

 

[Killer Bee]

“Cal 22 lfB” too.
Made in 1971 from Ruger’s records.

True it was a '71 but that was for the original revolver. That particular one has been much 'modified'.

was the caliber stamped this way by Ruger for direct export or 'customized' in Germany?

I've seen my fair share of German proofed American made guns, mostly Colts and Smiths, but never seen the caliber modified that way.

seems like something so tightly regulated would be verboten to modify.

anyways, interesting revolver and welcome to the forum Lefaucheux!

 

[rugerguy]

yep, a mini,mini sheriffs model..........kinda cute really, different,,,,,BUT ,not for me
did got one of Bobby Tylers builds for my wife some years ago......

 

[Fox Mike]

The 22 marking on the left side is German for sure. .22 l.f.B.

 

[mr.deerstalker]

if you look at it closely, it's is highly buffed out. thus its been reblued...

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

In Germany all guns must have a caliber marking.
Hence the .22 I.F.B.
Terry

 

[Killer Bee]

In Germany all guns must have a caliber marking.
Hence the .22 I.F.B.
Terry

naturally, as I also assumed here in the U.S. as well, especially by 1971...

but after looking it up for myself, I see these models did not have the caliber marking on the right side of the frame there like Single-Six models do for instance, and 'some' Bearcats have caliber marked barrels.

can't say I've actually seen many guns of any kind, type, or age that don't have caliber markings from the factory, at least made in the U.S. anyways.

interesting all the same.

 

[Randyzzz]

It looks like the boss on the mainframe where the ejector rod housing is inserted has been removed- not just the housing itself removed. (Or am I stating the obvious?) Someone put a lot of work into that. Neat little gun- I like it!

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Killer Bee,
The Old Model Bearcats did not have a caliber marking on them. I realize were talking about a Super Bearcat here, I'll have to dig one out but I
think it would be the same.
Terry

 

[Killer Bee]

Killer Bee,
The Old Model Bearcats did not have a caliber marking on them. I realize were talking about a Super Bearcat here, I'll have to dig one out but I
think it would be the same.
Terry

thank you!

yesterday I realized y'all probably knew that and I was the only one that didn't.

and I misspoke, I meant left side where I assumed caliber would have been stamped.

so that was my quandary, why would someone remove .22 CAL or .22 LR or whatever to change it to German when many Colt, S&W, etc. were exported with factory caliber markings.. not knowing there wasn't anything there to begin with.

still though, with all of Ruger’s insistence on safety, difficult to believe they made anything without caliber markings. that's extremely unusual, especially from a prominent U.S. manufacturer after 1968.

thanks again for your insight!

 

[chet15]

Yes, that is correct. German proof marks.
I did not yet think about the possibility that it is someone's project.
That would explain I could not find a similar one. Not a bad job.

Yeah, when they lopped the barrel off they may not have thought that they couldn't just cut the ejector housing down as well. So they probably have to carry some kind of steel rod with them to eject the shells.
Chet15

 

[Hondo44]

I did not yet think about the possibility that it is someone's project.
That would explain I could not find a similar one. Not a bad job.

Did you buy it???
You've likely seen that Ruger has made 2 very similar models much more recently than 1971. Perhaps whomever modified it saw photos on-line and the limited availability so they had the standard model modified or did it themself to match.

Ruger made a 3" (on the left) and 3 1/2" (on the right), both with a an ejector rod. Both are limited production:
https://ruger.com/products/newBearcat/models.html

What's your barrel length from the front face of the cylinder? Looks more like the 3". When the ejector rod housing was left off, clearly the frame on the right side is modified to eliminate the receptacle in the frame to mount the ejector rod housing. It's not an exact match to the left side of the frame, but close.

Then it was refinished with what looks like cerakote recently.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

It looks like the boss on the mainframe where the ejector rod housing is inserted has been removed- not just the housing itself removed. (Or am I stating the obvious?) Someone put a lot of work into that. Neat little gun- I like it!

Yeah, I noticed that. Lotta work for a nicely-done piece.