What are the rarest Ruger Old Army models?

[Ethang]

Hello Everybody. I am not up on Old Army's other than they are not still in production. What Old Army models are the rarest?

 

[Michiganmuzzy]

Probably the Sheriff 5.5" and the Bicentennial or Liberty models

 

[cowboydave]

I'm thinking it would be the 5.5" fixed sight, high polished stainless model.

 

[Michiganmuzzy]

Stainless 5.5" for sure.

 

[Ethang]

I'm thinking it would be the 5.5" fixed sight, high polished stainless model.

what about the 7.5?

 

[SDSmlf]

what about the 7.5?

You asked for the rarest, not most popular. Don’t believe Ruger offered fixed sights until after over 20 years of production, and only offered the 5-1/2” option the last 7 or 8 years they were made. 5-1/2” barreled ROA with fixed sights would in my opinion be the rarest.

 

[Michiganmuzzy]

what about the 7.5?

The rarest in a 7.5" would be a 1976 Liberty (bicentennial) they only made it that year. I dont believe they made a 5.5" version iirc. It may actually be rarer than the sst 5.5" fixed sight but doesnt seem to be as highly sought after. I know i would rather have a 7.5" sst with adjustable sights of any year.

 

[Ethang]

You asked for the rarest, not most popular. Don’t believe Ruger offered fixed sights until after over 20 years of production, and only offered the 5-1/2” option the last 7 or 8 years they were made. 5-1/2” barreled ROA with fixed sights would in my opinion be the rarest.

The fixed sight 5.5 was mentioned and my followup was about the SS/Fixed/7.5. I have not seen many fixed sight models for sale, as opposed to the adjustable sight models. My apologies if I did not specify that on the followup.

 

[nightwolf1974]

Probably the Sheriff 5.5" and the Bicentennial or Liberty models

I had a pristine Bicentennial Model that burned in the house fire... ☹

 

[mloader40]

I believe the brass grip frame ROA model is the most rare.

 

[Michiganmuzzy]

I believe the brass grip frame ROA model is the most rare.

Ive heard a few others say the same. I didn't think it was that rare. Any idea how many were made? What years?

 

[FishDFly]

I had a pristine Bicentennial Model that burned in the house fire... ☹

Ouch.

 

[SDSmlf]

I believe the brass grip frame ROA model is the most rare.

When I shot SASS I saw quite a few with brass grip frames. The non adjustable sight model was the tough one to find, at least where I was shooting. Do not know if they were as originally sold with that brass grip or if it was a modification. Would see them on ROA and Blackhawks. Remember be told the brass grip frames were Ruger factory parts, but did not concern myself with verifying. Remember no markings on the ones I owned.

 

[nightwolf1974]

Ouch.

Yah.......

 

[Bad Karma]

When I shot SASS I saw quite a few with brass grip frames. The non adjustable sight model was the tough one to find, at least where I was shooting. Do not know if they were as originally sold with that brass grip or if it was a modification. Would see them on ROA and Blackhawks. Remember be told the brass grip frames were Ruger factory parts, but did not concern myself with verifying. Remember no markings on the ones I owned.

The majority of brass framed ROA’s were probably factory. None of the fixed sight versions were issued with that grip frame but for a while someone manufactured a brass grip frame based on the Super Blackhawk frame. I have several times added the SB grip frame to Old Army revolvers. The best frame, imo…