Stainless Ruger Old Army .45 Colt Howell Conversion Revolver, MFD 2003
SOLD FOR: $1,437.00
LSB#: LSB251202DH029
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Old Army
Serial Number: 148-08812
Year of Manufacture: 2003 / Modern
Caliber: .45 Colt Conversion
Action Type: Percussion Black Powder 6 Shot Revolver W/ Cylinder Conversion & Ramrod.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked, “148-08812” The left side of the frame is marked, “RUGER OLD ARMY” The barrel is marked, “STURM, RUGER & CO. INC. SOUTHPORT CONN. U.S.A.”
Barrel Length: 5.5?
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade pinned into a base. The rear sight is a square cut notch in the topstrap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth dark wood. There are light scratches or handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate about Very Good + condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Cylinders: One 6rd .45 Colt Cylinder
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are small scratches throughout. There is some light action wear. The screw heads are sharp and the pins undamaged. The markings are clear. This pistol is in overall Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. This revolver has a .45 Colt Howell conversion cylinder installed.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This 2003 Ruger Old Army equipped with a Howell .45 Colt conversion cylinder represents a distinctive blend of percussion-era styling and modern metallic cartridge capability. The Old Army platform was never a direct replica of a specific 19th century revolver but rather Ruger’s strengthened interpretation of the cap-and-ball concept, built with investment-cast stainless steel and modern tolerances. In this configuration, the 5.5 inch barrel provides a balanced and practical profile, retaining the revolver’s traditional silhouette while offering improved handling compared to longer target-length variants. Fitted with a Howell six-shot .45 Colt conversion cylinder, this revolver bridges black powder heritage with cartridge convenience. The .45 Colt cartridge, introduced in the 1870s, remains one of the most historically significant revolver rounds and continues to be appreciated for its adaptable loading range and traditional character. The fixed square-notch rear and serrated ramp front sight maintain a straightforward and durable sight picture, consistent with the Old Army’s robust design. The presence of the loading lever and percussion-style frame preserves the classic visual appeal even with the cartridge conversion in place.
Conditionally, this example presents in excellent overall shape, retaining approximately 99 percent of its original stainless finish with only light surface scratches and minimal action wear visible. The bore remains bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, earning a strong 9.5 out of 10 rating. The smooth dark wood grips are intact with only minor handling marks and no structural issues. Screw heads and pins remain sharp and undamaged, and the markings are clear throughout. Taken as a whole, this Ruger Old Army with Howell conversion offers a well-preserved and mechanically sound example of a modern stainless revolver that successfully merges percussion-era aesthetics with cartridge-firing practicality. -R.E.
