Help With The Value Of A Rare Ruger Vaquero

[Slow Poke Joe]

I have an original model Vaquero 4 5/8" barrel, Bird's Head Grip, Color Case in .357. I spoke to Ruger and confirmed that that is how it left the factory and that the combination is quite rare. Of coarse they don't give values, but he gave me the name of an officer in the Ruger Collectors Association. That man told me that it is worth $1,000 in 90% condition! Any body out there have knowledge of the accuracy of that value? Sounds kind of high to me.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

In order for something to have value there has to be scarcity and there has to be demand. Ruger Vaqueros at this point are simply not collector's items. They are shooters. In 50 or 100 years some might have collector value. They made lots of blued bird's heads. Most were 3 1/2" but I have seen several with 4 5/8" barrels. When I see them at gun shows they don't command a premium. They are just used Ruger Vaqueros. Maybe the guy thought you had a pair. Then $1,000.00 makes sense, but not for one.

[Slow Poke Joe]

He made a big deal out of that fact that is was .357 and said most were 45 Colt. He also said very few were color case. Thanks for the reply. Joe

[Doc Fill 'Em 67797]

I had a pair exactly like that I bought new in 2006, they were $469 each. I used them for a few years but didn't care for the birdshead grip. I tried to sell them here about a year ago, asked $1,100 shipped, didn't get one response. I put them on Gunbroker and got a little over $1,000. Of course after I sold them it seemed everyone wanted birdshead grips.

 

It's like anything else, it's worth what someone is willing to pay. If you are selling, put it on Gunbroker at no reserve and let the bidding begin!

[Major E A Sterner #12916]

Ruger made less than 500 of the .357 Birdshead with the 4&5/8ths barrel

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

That's a rare 'bird' in the Ruger world, no matter what anybody tells you.

LG

[Spades Hanlin SASS#66204]

Well I know for a fact that the little single six .32s (baby Vaqueros) have sure gone up in price! I played heck trying to get a pair especially the little plow handle ones.

 

Then when you get to the stainless ones it goes up alittle more. Seems like they made a bunch of them when they came out.. I know they don't make em anymore, but man they do not last long when you see one for sale thats fer sure!

 

I ended up with 4 of them and glad I got them.

 

Spades H. A 500 pc run of anything nowa days don't seem like alot.

[Slow Poke Joe]

Doc, you're probably right about Gunbroker, but I'd want to offer it to SASS members first. I'm trying to determine the price that would be fair. Seems to be a little less than the thousand, but not that much. Thanks. Joe

[Wakatomika Creek, Sass #30238]

rugerforum.com there will be someone there who can fill you in. Just get on there and ask around on the revolver boards. Many Rugers are very collectible. sounds like you've found one!

Wakatomika

[Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438]

Ruger made less than 500 of the .357 Birdshead with the 4&5/8ths barrel

Really? I've got two of them, and I never thought of them as rare. .357, 4 5/8, SS. BH. White Micarta.

 

I'm quite fond of them.

 

LL

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Ruger has run off numerous batches of 500 for lots of different distibutors. Price depends on scarcity AND demand. Sounds like Joe is going to sell it. The market will determine value. It will be interesting to see what it sells for.

[Slowhand Bob, 24229]

I would think that where you offer them does matter. There are collectors and there are shooters and often the twain shall not meet! I know that there are more than a few guys in SASS with extra billfold padding but still think most are shooters, not collectors.

[Doc Coles SASS 1188]

As we used to say in the gun trade "it may be rare but so is the guy who wants one." There can not be that many dyed in the wool Ruger vaquero collectors out there and I would suspect that, given the number of the guns available, they would prefer buying the best examples available (new in the box etc.).

 

That being said, as with most things, its worth what you can get for it. Ask the guy who told you it was worth $1000 if he knows anyone who wants it at that price. If he does not, that might be a clue to something.

[towboater]

Here's one I found that sold back in 06.

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/7537154/guns-cowboy-action-shooting/ruger-vaquero-birds-head-.357-mag-nib

[Waimea]

rugerforum.com there will be someone there who can fill you in. Just get on there and ask around on the revolver boards. Many Rugers are very collectible. sounds like you've found one!

Wakatomika

 

Gotta agree with this.

I have run into the same issue with the BH grips on the .357 s opposed to .45.

 

Do your research before selling this one.

 

After that I'll give you a buck two fifty for it.

 

 

Waimea

 

[Slow Poke Joe]

Hi, Waimea. I guess you're right. I'll put it on Gunbroker, but I have a friend who is a Bird"s Head fan and I have to offer it to him first. SPJ

[Wasatch Lawman]

Slow Poke

 

If your friend wants a mate, I have an identical one I could be made to part with.

 

Wasatch

[Slow Poke Joe]

Wasatch, I just put it on Gunbroker. I'll let you know. SPJ

[Jack Houston # 35508]

It's worth what someone will pay for it!!!

[John Boy]

In 2000, Ruger made a run of 2000 OM 45 Colt SSBH's in 4 5/8". They cost $500