El Dorado Arms ?

[TIMEKEEPER,SASS # 15766]

I have an El Dorado Arms, Laredo in .357 and would like to know more about it. Looks a lot like a Ruger Blackhawk. I was told that they infringed on some patent of Rugers and were shut down. Thanks in advance for your help.

[watab kid]

nice looking revolver , 

[TIMEKEEPER,SASS # 15766]

BTT

[Red Oak]

Good looking revolver

[TIMEKEEPER,SASS # 15766]

One more time.

[El Sobrante Kid]

Have you done a google search for El Dorado Arms? There is actually quite a bit of info available.

[TIMEKEEPER,SASS # 15766]

Yes but still looking for more or a valu.

[Cholla]

None come up on Gunbroker. The grips are very nice.

[Cholla]

From the web:

Chimney Rock El Dorados are some of the finest fit, finest tuned single-actions I own. Not to mention they're hard to find. Between 1988 and 1997 only 700 or so were produced. I've been collecting these guns since 1992 and I've only been able to acquire 10 Chimney Rocks (and I'm always on the look out). Most folks tend not to let them go.

In talking with Russell Wood years ago he detailed how much time they put into building them. All the parts were matched. The actions were assembled, disassembled, and reassembled until they felt like the proverbial silk. And accuracy wise, they'll tear ragged little holes.

 

From 2002: Seriously there a real good gun John Linebaugh started his conversion bussiness converting sevilles to 5 shot 45. they are every bit as strong as a super black hawk and most of the ones ive handled showed better fit and finish then a ruger. Not much collectors value though. Id guess somewhere in the 300 dollar range for a good shooter maybe a little more if its mint. Like any gun from that era you never know to you put it for sale. You may finds someone that really wants one exactly like yours and is willing to pay for it. -- Consider inflation since 2002.

 

From GunsInternational: 

Description:
THE INTERESTING AND CONVOLUTED HISTORY OF THE EL DORADO REVOLVER

It All Began In 1972 When Sig Himmelmann Founded United States Arms of Riverhead, N.Y. And Designed The Abilene Single-Action Revolver. In Association With Others, He Manufactured The Abilene, Seville And El Dorado Single-Actions In Various Locations. Initial Production Of The El Dorado (Named After A Texas Town) Began In Hauppauge, N.Y. In early 1977 As El Dorado Arms Of New York. El Dorado Arms Ceased Production In 1997.

The El Dorado Incorporated Several Of The Most Revolutionary Engineering Innovations Never Before Seen In The Firearms Industry That Later Became Mainstream: Use Of 17-4 Stainless Steel And Barrel Button Rifling.

The Gun Writer John Taffin Notes That All El Dorado Guns Were Produced In 17-4 Stainless Steel. This Was A First In The Industry And No Other Manufacturer Was Using This Expensive And Strong Stainless Steel. 17-4 Stainless Has Roughly Twice The Strength Of 416 Stainless Steels Used For Firearms Manufacturing. And, Because It Is Stronger, 17-4 Could Safely Tolerate Much Higher Pressures. At That Time, Ruger Was Using 416 Stainless For All Of Their Stainless Revolvers. The Ruger Engineering Department Was Writing Letters Explaining Why Stainless Steel Of Any Type Was Totally Unsuitable For Guns Chambered For The High Intensity .44 Magnum Cartridge.

In Fact, The El Dorado Was Produced Two Years Before Smith & Wesson Unveiled The 629, Three Before Ruger Released The Redhawk, Six Until The Stainless Super Blackhawk, And Seven Before Freedoms Arms Offered The All 17-4 Stainless Model 83.

The El Dorado Hits Continue: 1) All Barrels Were Button Rifled. 2). All Frames Were X-Rayed For Defects. 3). Cylinder Gaps Ranged From 0.0015”-0.003” (Industry Standard For Revolvers Is 0.004”-0.006”). 4). Gold-Filled Engraved (Not Rolled) Lettering On The Frame.
5). Engraved Lettering On The Barrel. 6). Custom Made And Hand-Fitted Grips. 7). Hand-Fitted And Hand Tuned Assembly. 8). Trigger Pulls Regulated To 2-3 Pounds. (Industry Standard Is 4-6 Pounds). 9). Crowned Muzzle. 10). Beryllium Copper Firing Pins And Trigger Return Springs. 11). Coil Main Spring. 12.) Transfer Bar Safety Feature. 13). Six-Shot Capacity. 14) 17-4 Stainless Steel.

These Are Just Examples Of The Dedication To Absolute Quality The Manufacturer Demanded With Quality Over Quantity Always Stressed During Production. It Is Often Stated, The Early Production Guns Were The Highest Quality During Production In Hauppauge, N.Y. Essentially, The El Dorado Is Virtually A Handmade Revolver Far Ahead Of Its Time.

As Lee Martin Notes In His Excellent Article On Sevilles And The El Dorado, “El Dorado Arms Became What Many Believe Was The Best Of The El Dorado/Seville Line Of Revolvers”. He Further Stated, ‘‘My Secondary Goal Is To Dispel The Myth That These Revolvers Were Mere Blackhawk Clones, Because That Isn’t The Case. Instead, They Exist As High-End To Custom Grade Single-Actions That Brought Forth Some Unique Innovations.” Jeff Munnell, The Expert On El Dorado’s, Stated, “…A Seville Was What A Super Blackhawk Could Be If Ruger Had A Custom Shop” (Now Available). Renowned Gun Writer John Taffin Notes, “Given The Truth Of This Statement, It Must Be Admitted That An El Dorado Arms Gun Was What A Custom Seville Could Have Been.”

In My Opinion, The Only Single-Action Revolvers Today That Compare In Quality To The El Dorado Are The Excellent “Premier Grade” Firearms Produced By Freedom Arms, Starting At Over $2,800. And, They Have Only A Five Shot Capacity (Per Their Information). 

My El Dorado Was Manufactured In Hauppauge, N.Y. And Purchased In The Early 70’s, Shortly After Production Began. All El Dorados Produced At This Location Have Only Three Digits In The Serial Number After The Caliber, As Does Mine. The Low Number Indicates Very Early Production.

Today, These Rare Custom Grade Firearms Are Only Sporadically Offered For Sale. I Realize Not Everyone Will Be Interested In The El Dorado. But, For Those Discerning Few That Covet A Rare And Beautiful Custom Firearm Such As This, Or Have Been Waiting For An El Dorado To Enter The Market, Now Is The Opportunity You Have Been Waiting For.
 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Freedom Arms are built from 17-4 SS too.

[TIMEKEEPER,SASS # 15766]

On 10/26/2024 at 8:09 AM, Cholla said:

From the web:

Chimney Rock El Dorados are some of the finest fit, finest tuned single-actions I own. Not to mention they're hard to find. Between 1988 and 1997 only 700 or so were produced. I've been collecting these guns since 1992 and I've only been able to acquire 10 Chimney Rocks (and I'm always on the look out). Most folks tend not to let them go.

In talking with Russell Wood years ago he detailed how much time they put into building them. All the parts were matched. The actions were assembled, disassembled, and reassembled until they felt like the proverbial silk. And accuracy wise, they'll tear ragged little holes.

 

From 2002: Seriously there a real good gun John Linebaugh started his conversion bussiness converting sevilles to 5 shot 45. they are every bit as strong as a super black hawk and most of the ones ive handled showed better fit and finish then a ruger. Not much collectors value though. Id guess somewhere in the 300 dollar range for a good shooter maybe a little more if its mint. Like any gun from that era you never know to you put it for sale. You may finds someone that really wants one exactly like yours and is willing to pay for it. -- Consider inflation since 2002.

 

From GunsInternational: 

Description:
THE INTERESTING AND CONVOLUTED HISTORY OF THE EL DORADO REVOLVER

It All Began In 1972 When Sig Himmelmann Founded United States Arms of Riverhead, N.Y. And Designed The Abilene Single-Action Revolver. In Association With Others, He Manufactured The Abilene, Seville And El Dorado Single-Actions In Various Locations. Initial Production Of The El Dorado (Named After A Texas Town) Began In Hauppauge, N.Y. In early 1977 As El Dorado Arms Of New York. El Dorado Arms Ceased Production In 1997.

The El Dorado Incorporated Several Of The Most Revolutionary Engineering Innovations Never Before Seen In The Firearms Industry That Later Became Mainstream: Use Of 17-4 Stainless Steel And Barrel Button Rifling.

The Gun Writer John Taffin Notes That All El Dorado Guns Were Produced In 17-4 Stainless Steel. This Was A First In The Industry And No Other Manufacturer Was Using This Expensive And Strong Stainless Steel. 17-4 Stainless Has Roughly Twice The Strength Of 416 Stainless Steels Used For Firearms Manufacturing. And, Because It Is Stronger, 17-4 Could Safely Tolerate Much Higher Pressures. At That Time, Ruger Was Using 416 Stainless For All Of Their Stainless Revolvers. The Ruger Engineering Department Was Writing Letters Explaining Why Stainless Steel Of Any Type Was Totally Unsuitable For Guns Chambered For The High Intensity .44 Magnum Cartridge.

In Fact, The El Dorado Was Produced Two Years Before Smith & Wesson Unveiled The 629, Three Before Ruger Released The Redhawk, Six Until The Stainless Super Blackhawk, And Seven Before Freedoms Arms Offered The All 17-4 Stainless Model 83.

The El Dorado Hits Continue: 1) All Barrels Were Button Rifled. 2). All Frames Were X-Rayed For Defects. 3). Cylinder Gaps Ranged From 0.0015”-0.003” (Industry Standard For Revolvers Is 0.004”-0.006”). 4). Gold-Filled Engraved (Not Rolled) Lettering On The Frame.
5). Engraved Lettering On The Barrel. 6). Custom Made And Hand-Fitted Grips. 7). Hand-Fitted And Hand Tuned Assembly. 8). Trigger Pulls Regulated To 2-3 Pounds. (Industry Standard Is 4-6 Pounds). 9). Crowned Muzzle. 10). Beryllium Copper Firing Pins And Trigger Return Springs. 11). Coil Main Spring. 12.) Transfer Bar Safety Feature. 13). Six-Shot Capacity. 14) 17-4 Stainless Steel.

These Are Just Examples Of The Dedication To Absolute Quality The Manufacturer Demanded With Quality Over Quantity Always Stressed During Production. It Is Often Stated, The Early Production Guns Were The Highest Quality During Production In Hauppauge, N.Y. Essentially, The El Dorado Is Virtually A Handmade Revolver Far Ahead Of Its Time.

As Lee Martin Notes In His Excellent Article On Sevilles And The El Dorado, “El Dorado Arms Became What Many Believe Was The Best Of The El Dorado/Seville Line Of Revolvers”. He Further Stated, ‘‘My Secondary Goal Is To Dispel The Myth That These Revolvers Were Mere Blackhawk Clones, Because That Isn’t The Case. Instead, They Exist As High-End To Custom Grade Single-Actions That Brought Forth Some Unique Innovations.” Jeff Munnell, The Expert On El Dorado’s, Stated, “…A Seville Was What A Super Blackhawk Could Be If Ruger Had A Custom Shop” (Now Available). Renowned Gun Writer John Taffin Notes, “Given The Truth Of This Statement, It Must Be Admitted That An El Dorado Arms Gun Was What A Custom Seville Could Have Been.”

In My Opinion, The Only Single-Action Revolvers Today That Compare In Quality To The El Dorado Are The Excellent “Premier Grade” Firearms Produced By Freedom Arms, Starting At Over $2,800. And, They Have Only A Five Shot Capacity (Per Their Information). 

My El Dorado Was Manufactured In Hauppauge, N.Y. And Purchased In The Early 70’s, Shortly After Production Began. All El Dorados Produced At This Location Have Only Three Digits In The Serial Number After The Caliber, As Does Mine. The Low Number Indicates Very Early Production.

Today, These Rare Custom Grade Firearms Are Only Sporadically Offered For Sale. I Realize Not Everyone Will Be Interested In The El Dorado. But, For Those Discerning Few That Covet A Rare And Beautiful Custom Firearm Such As This, Or Have Been Waiting For An El Dorado To Enter The Market, Now Is The Opportunity You Have Been Waiting For.
 

Thanks for the information.