John Taffin Blued Ruger Old Army 5.5” .45 Cal Percussion Revolver, 1973
SOLD FOR: $1,088.00
LSB#: LSB250701SS088
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Old Army
Serial Number: 140-08318
Year of Manufacture: 1973 C&R
Caliber: .45 Cal. Black Powder Only
Action Type: Percussion Black Powder 6 Shot Revolver with Ramrod.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked, “140-08318” The left side of the frame is marked, “RUGER OLD ARMY” The cylinder is marked, “BLACK POWDER ONLY”.
Barrel Length: 5.5? (Replacement Barrel)
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a fully adjustable square notch pinned to the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two piece burial maple panels screwed to the frame. There are faint handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall these grips rate in about Very Good to Excellent condition. These grips/aluminum grip-frame are not original to this revolver.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to the parts.
Cylinders: One 6rd Unfluted .45 Cal. Cylinder
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some mild stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is a crisp turn line in the cylinder along with pitted erosion on the face of the cylinder. There are scratches and moderate rub marks throughout. The action has light wear. The screw heads are sharp save for the grip screw which is lightly tooled. The markings are clear. This revolver is in overall Good 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.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: John Taffin Certificate of Authenticity.
Our Assessment: The Ruger Old Army is considered by many to be the finest percussion revolver ever made, blending the traditional operation of a cap-and-ball revolver with Ruger’s modern materials and manufacturing standards. Introduced in 1972, it was based on the robust Blackhawk frame and built to safely handle full black powder charges with a strength and durability far exceeding 19th-century percussion revolvers. Its adjustable sights, precision machining, and rugged design made it a favorite among black powder shooters until production ceased in 2008. This 1973 example is a blued model fitted with a 5.5-inch replacement barrel, making it more compact and handy than the standard 7.5-inch version. It has also been fitted with an aluminum grip frame and attractive two-piece burial maple grips, which are not original but give the revolver distinctive character. The revolver retains about 95% of its finish, with scratches, moderate rub marks, and pitting on the face of the cylinder, yet the markings remain clear. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only light fouling, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the revolver functions properly, with tight lockup and smooth single-action operation.
What elevates this piece is its provenance—it comes with a John Taffin Certificate of Authenticity. Taffin, one of the most respected writers and authorities on revolvers and big-bore handguns, is a central figure in modern revolver history, and firearms from his collection carry special significance for collectors. This revolver, while showing some wear and modifications, represents both Ruger’s mastery of the percussion revolver and Taffin’s influence in the revolver community. For enthusiasts of Ruger firearms, black powder handguns, or collectors seeking a revolver tied to an iconic gun writer, this Old Army is a worthy and historically significant addition. -R.E.
