Unique Vaquero with gold inlay and engraving

[vanhamlin]

Hello Ruger fans, I am brand new to this forum, and had a question for those of you in the know.
I recently purchased a new style Vaquero at a gunshow here in Oklahoma, that I have questions about. I gotta start by saying, although I am a huge Ruger fan, the single action revolvers have never been my thing, but I knew enough about them to know this one was pretty unique, and I had never seen one like it, and after searching the web thoroughly, have yet to find one exactly like it. This one is a high gloss stainless in a .357 mag. caliber with gold inlay in beautiful engravings on the fluted cylinder, as well as gold inlay band around the cylinder, it also has a gold Ruger logo. I contacted Ruger, and after talking with a few different folks who really couldn't tell me much, I finally got a young lady who went the extra mile, and found that it had been made for a sporting goods place in PA. and that apparently only 50 of these were ever released. Now my question is, does anyone else out there have one like it, and any ideas what it might be worth?
as soon as I get this forum all figured out, I will try and post pics of the gun, it is as new, unfired in the original box with everything it came with.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

There were some limited runs of guns like you describe. I don`t think they have been bringing any extra dollars really. They seem to fetch the same as any other similar
Vaquero in the same condition but without the engraving and gold inlay. They may be actually a little harder to sell for the same price in some cases. Lots of folks don`t care for that stuff on their guns.
Welcome to the forum!!

 

[BearBio]

If they made 50, it is not unique.

 

[vanhamlin]

LOL ok, well it was unique to me, guess I should have said rare, or does 50 of them being made, disqualify them for that term as well.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Certain guns, if they are dressed up, or whatever from the factory command a bit more IF certain things are met.
Condition.
Limited numbers, such as 50 guns.
Condition.
Completeness of the package.
Condition.
Desirable model by collectors, such as the Single-Actions.
Condition.
Ok, I'm pushing a point here. The condition of a gun is very important to collectors. As is the completeness of the package. Meaning the box, all papers, shipper if it had one, low production etc.
Next, many chase special serial numbers. Consecutive sets, or like numbered guns, (in the Old Models only,) also can be something to pay attention to.
So, to a collector of Vaquero's, your gun may well be desirable. If only 50 were done, and verifiable by the factory, and you have the complete package, and it's in excellent to NIB condition, yes, it is possible it'll bring more than a regular version.

 

[6gun]

LOL ok, well it was unique to me, guess I should have said rare, or does 50 of them being made, disqualify them for that term as well.

Not rare either see them often at the gun shows, way more than 50 were made, 50 was used as a example by two members neither one said that has total number made. :lol:
Perhaps the word scarse would be more fitting than rare.

 

[vanhamlin]

Thanks Ruger Guru, like I said, the gun is in like new unfired condition in the box with everything it came with, mostly I was just curious about the gun itself as I could not find one like it anywhere on the internet, although apparently "Hunter" from the previous post see's them all the time even though "Ruger" looked up the model/serial number and said there were only 50, maybe they were all shipped to his area LOL really doesn't matter, as I had planed to stick it back for for one of my grandsons (or grandaughter) anyway....it really is a beautiful pistol.
Gotta say as a new comer to this forum, other than "Ruger Guru" I kinda feel like I had taken this gun to a gunshow, and been talking to some of the dealers (your gun is nothing special, worth less than a plain Jane model, not rare, there every where ect.ect.) Kind of thought some fellow Ruger fans might be a bit more enthusiastic about a unusual (NOT UNIQUE) find. Oh well, as long as I like it, guess thats all that matters

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Enjoy it! They are great shooters. Many folks buy those kind of guns for an investment only to find out later that they can not sell them for even what they have into them. My old boss,back in the early 70`s, bought up a bunch of those Winchester commemorative`s as an investment. He found later they were NOT the investment they were made out to be. He enjoyed them so what the heck!
Shoot it. That is what they are made for.

 

[Sam Johnson]

Welcome to the forum. You have a very nice revolver. Should be a great shooter. Enjoy.

 

[SteelShooter]

If you have the box, there should be a sticker on the end with the model number. If you share this with the forum members, you'll likely get more information. If you wanted you could also advise the serial number.

Certain people here will give you a pretty definite answer with that info. Most are beyond helpful!

 

[contender]

SteelShooter is spot on. Provide us with the model info such as; KBKH-1234XIZ or whatever. Do not use the box's "model number" such as "Model 1234".
With that, we can truly give you a lot more detail.

But, I like your comment. "Oh well, as long as I like it, guess thats all that matters"

 

[vanhamlin]

I don't have the model number with me here at work, but the model # on this gun was one of the things that the folks at Ruger had trouble tracking down, but I recall the cat.# was KNV-35-EN (the EN apparently indicating "engraved" I will try and remember to add that information when I get home. The serial number indicated that it left Ruger on 10/29/10 but apparently was actually mfg. in 2009 according to the information gathered by the ruger historian guy

 

[street]

Thanks Ruger Guru, like I said, the gun is in like new unfired condition in the box with everything it came with, mostly I was just curious about the gun itself as I could not find one like it anywhere on the internet, although apparently "Hunter" from the previous post see's them all the time even though "Ruger" looked up the model/serial number and said there were only 50, maybe they were all shipped to his area LOL really doesn't matter, as I had planed to stick it back for for one of my grandsons (or grandaughter) anyway....it really is a beautiful pistol.
Gotta say as a new comer to this forum, other than "Ruger Guru" I kinda feel like I had taken this gun to a gunshow, and been talking to some of the dealers (your gun is nothing special, worth less than a plain Jane model, not rare, there every where ect.ect.) Kind of thought some fellow Ruger fans might be a bit more enthusiastic about a unusual (NOT UNIQUE) find. Oh well, as long as I like it, guess thats all that matters

First let me say that with only 50 guns made then your gun is "RARE"! The fact that you didn't get very much of a response is because of two reason. One and I think is biggest reason is most of the members on this forum are "SHOOTERS" They could care less how rare a gun is or how much engraving is on the gun. All they care about is will it shoot? And there is nothing wrong with this as guns are made to shoot. The second reason there was no great response to this gun is because it is a New Model Ruger. Just about 99.999% of the collectors here are only interested in the Old Models and could care less about a New Model. And the 00.001% that do collect New Model Rugers are afraid to admit to it as they will receive a lot of flack from the Old Model collectors. :lol: It looks as if you have a very nice New Model Vaquero and one of these days when collectors start getting serious about the New Models your gun will be in great demand, if you keep it as new!!!

As for "Hunter". "Saying he see them all of the time." I think he has them mixed up with the Older Vaqueros as some of them were shipped from the factory with engraved and gold filled cylinders. Although it's been a long time since I have seen any there must be a lot of them at gun shows where he goes. Total production for these guns in stainless are as follows.KBNV-34IE less then 500. KBNV-35IE less then 700. As you can see these are some what rare and would be a good item to pick up.

Anyway congrats on finding a very rare Ruger and I hope you enjoy it.

 

[contender]

More good info from Street!
Post the model info later & we'll look it up!
(Contender, who enjoys some NM's as well as his OM's!)
:D

 

[vanhamlin]

thanks guys, I will check the model # and add it in later, like I had originally posted, I was just curious if anyone else owned one or had seen one like mine, and its approx. value, although I will probably just keep it no matter what I find, like I said it is a beautiful gun, as far as firing it, I will leave that decision up to my grandkids when they get it someday, I have plenty of them to shoot that aren't collectors

 

[6gun]

Who says there were only 50 made? anyone got any proff of that? no one even knows the model number of the thing, there was a guy on here with one of those guns a while back said he got it in a trade with some other guns and posted pictures everyone desided it was nothing specail back then.

 

[street]

Who says there were only 50 made?

On vanhamlin original post he said he called Ruger and the young lady "FROM RUGER" who went the extra mile, and found that it had been made for a sporting goods place in PA. and that apparently only 50 of these were ever released. I would think that Ruger would know how many were shipped.

 

[SteelShooter]

They probably know, but as usual not talking:-)

PM sent to OP with some guesses...

 

[6gun]

Who says there were only 50 made?

On vanhamlin original post he said he called Ruger and the young lady "FROM RUGER" who went the extra mile, and found that it had been made for a sporting goods place in PA. and that apparently only 50 of these were ever released. I would think that Ruger would know how many were shipped.

I've seen quite a few of them just in my area, maybe they made a run of 50 for a sporting goods store but there were other runs of them that I've seen them way out west that weren't from a sporting goods store back east, I'm thinking the girl on the phone looked up the s/s number and saw how many were sent to one sporting goods store that don't mean thats all that were ever made in my book.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

What's the old saying,,,,,"A picture's worth a 1,000 Words"

Picture of end label (and or gun) would help to clarify!
Terry

 

[gak]

It's true that some configurations are not everyone's cup of tea and that narrows the field of interested onlookers or potential investors. What has been said here is particularly true of "special runs" done only for a particular vendor, with some exceptions. The same can be said for many engraved Colts, Commemoratives for this and that, doesnt mean there aren't still a lot out there who are interested, just perhaps not as vocal as the detractors. Sometimes you have to specialize your inquury to find the niche but which are still highly enthusiastic afficianados.

As has been said, whatever floats your boat. I have my preferences which usually don't include engraving, and especially gold, but there've been some executed particularly well and as I've gotten older I've grown more appreciative of others' embellished firearms--to the extent I've thought of having one of mine "done up." In fact, after having seen some stellar Colts done by a top Arizona engraver, it's on my firearms bucket list to have one of my Rugers done the same. Alas he'll only touch Colts, but I couldn't afford him anyway! But, I'd sure like to find someone similarly talented.

Nothing much else to add to the discussion but welcome!

 

[vanhamlin]

OK, got the Model # last night (model # 5139) dealer exclusive for a place called Jerry's Sports Center our of PA.
mine being #18 of 50 that were made.
Took a couple pics on my phone, but still can't figure out how to post them....any advise is appreciated.
Also my original question still hasn't been answered as to if anyone else has one of these or has even seen one, or what its approx. value would be.
BTW, got some really great information from SteelShooter, he really seems to know his stuff, and apparently has a crystal ball that I want one of. Thanks again SteelShooter

 

[vanhamlin]

BTW I really don't understand why Hunter is so adamant about the possibility that what I have stated as the information that I received from Ruger can't possibly be correct, and frankly don't appreciate the insinuation that I am a liar or an idiot, or that I'm trying too deceive someone, as it really is not that important to me the details of the gun, bottom line is I like it, and will likely keep it, no matter what the case, I just thought that I might join the Ruger Forum to visit with folks that have like interests "RUGERS" my intention was not to start a debate, rather just find a little information about the gun from fellow Ruger fans.

 

[6gun]

For a like new used Vaquero in 357 I'd never pay more than $350-$450 made for a sporting goods store no one has heard of unless they live in that area and what number it is means nothing value wise, I think a standard model would be worth more, you seem to keep hoping for someone to tell you that you found a valuable treasure like it or not you didn't, just being honest with you not trying to insult.

 

[street]

OK, got the Model # last night (model # 5139) dealer exclusive for a place called Jerry's Sports Center our of PA.
mine being #18 of 50 that were made.
Took a couple pics on my phone, but still can't figure out how to post them....any advise is appreciated.
Also my original question still hasn't been answered as to if anyone else has one of these or has even seen one, or what its approx. value would be.
BTW, got some really great information from SteelShooter, he really seems to know his stuff, and apparently has a crystal ball that I want one of. Thanks again SteelShooter

Look on your box at the label end and there should be a number such as BNV-34IE or BNV-36IE or some such number. Model 5139 doesn't help much.

And I might add welcome to the Ruger Forum !!! Not everyone will give you a rough time when you ask a question. Most of the members are here to help. Please feel welcome to ask any questions that you wish and usually they will be answered quickly and with a little more compassion then you received with your first try. Don't let it get you down and feel free to ask anything you wish.

I still say you have a very rare gun, but as it stands now not very many people collect New Model Rugers and so there won't be a great desire to get overly excited about your gun. But that's a good thing because you don't want to sell it and it keeps the prices low in case you are looking to add some new models to your collection.
When I started collecting Rugers I was laughed at because all of the serious collectors were collecting Colts, S & W, and Winchesters. They all said that the Rugers would never be worth anything. Because of that I could buy Bearcats at $75 to $95 apiece and Single-Sixes were going from $75 to $100 and .357s were #135 to $150. Yes! NOW LOOK WHAT THESE GUNS BRING!!! One of these days these rare New Model Rugers will bring a big premium and you will have the last laugh just like I had on my Rugers. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[vanhamlin]

Thanks Buckeye it is a cat.# KNV-35-EN

 

[street]

Thanks Buckeye it is a cat.# KNV-35-EN

Here is what I came up with:
K------Ruger uses that to denote Stainless Steel
NV----New Vaquero
3------Is for .357 Mag.
5------ Is for 5 1/2 in. bl.
EN-----Is for engraved

He is an ad for a consecutive pair of these guns with a picture. This should show everyone what they look like.

PAIR -Vaquero Engraved Stainless .357 Magnum/.38 Special+P
Product ID 58956 ::
Manufacturer Ruger
Description PAIR of sequentially numbered, new In box distributor exclusive Ruger New Vaquero Engraved Stainless .357 Magnum/.38 Special+P 6-Shot Single-Action Revolver, KNV-35-EN/5139, 5.5" high-gloss stainless-steel barrel, high-gloss stainless-steel 6-shot cylinder engraved with gold-inlays, high-gloss stainless-steel frame, hammer, trigger and trigger-guard; fixed sights, notch rear and blade front sight, Ivory-type grips with gold Ruger medallions. Ships in factory hardcase with padlock, fired cartridge, manual, registration card and factory papers. Ruger New Vaquero Engraved Stainless .357 Magnum Single-Action Revolver Features: -OLD WEST FEEL AND HANDLING with the pre-1962 "XR-3" style, steel grip frame. -High-gloss stainless steel model, simulating the attractive, but relatively fragile nickel-plating found on many original revolvers. -Factory gold-inlay engraved cylinder and Ivory-type grips with gold medallions. Ruger New Vaquero Engraved Stainless .357 Magnum Single-Action Revolver Specifications: Catalog Number: KNV-35-EN, Model Number: 5139, Caliber: .357 Mag., Material: Stainless Steel, Finish: High-Gloss, Sights: Fixed, Capacity: 6, Barrel Length: 5.50", Overall Length: 11.12", Weight: 44.00 oz., Grips: Ivory-type, Twist: 1:16" RH

Department Handguns › Revolvers

In stock
REG: $1650.00
Price $1350.00

These can be ordered from Best Firearms & Ammo
http://www.bestfirearms.com/catalog_detail.php?product_id=58956

 

[6gun]

Yup thats them alright seen them many times quite ugly, one old guy at our monthly gun show has had the same one always sitting on his table for about 3 years now no takers, he wants $350 for it.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Yup thats them alright seen them many times quite ugly, one old guy at our monthly gun show has had the same one always sitting on his table for about 3 years now no takers, he wants $350 for it.

:shock:
Please send me a PM with your friend's contact info,,,I will buy his gun if it is one such as Street has posted a KNV-35-EN NIB. $350.00 I'll pick up the shipping also.

Thank you Sir I look forward to your PM!!
Terry

 

[street]

Gee!!! It's hard to believe that someone has had a brand new, New Vaquero .357 mag. for sale for $350 dollars and nobody has bought it in 3 years. Here is an auction for a .357 Mag New Vaquero Stainless Steel with no engraving and it's up to $501.00. You would think that this guy would have no trouble selling his gun for $350.00. I guess some people don't know a bargain when they see it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=390418802