Stainless Ruger Old Army .45 Cal Cap & Ball Percussion Revolver, MFD 2005
SOLD FOR: $1,290.27
LSB#: LSB251202DH014
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Old Army
Serial Number: 148-10671
Year of Manufacture: 2005 / Modern
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, “148-10671” The left side of the frame is marked, “RUGER OLD ARMY” The cylinder is marked, “BLACK POWDER ONLY” 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 micro-adjustable square-notch.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood screw-set to the gripframe. There are light scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rates about Very Good + condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Cylinders: One 6rd .45 Cal. 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 98% of its metal finish. There are small scratches throughout along with a few small pitting marks on the face of the cylinder. There is heavy carbon buildup throughout. There is moderate action wear. The cylinder is missing a nipple. The screw heads are sharp and the pins undamaged. The markings are clear. This pistol is in overall Very 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: None.
Our Assessment: This 2005 Ruger Old Army represents one of the final production runs of Ruger’s renowned stainless percussion revolver, a model long respected for combining traditional black powder function with modern metallurgy and engineering. Unlike many reproduction cap-and-ball revolvers, the Old Army was purpose-built by Ruger using investment-cast stainless steel components, resulting in a notably strong and durable platform. The 5.5 inch barrel offers a balanced and practical configuration, complemented by a pinned serrated ramp front sight and a micro-adjustable square-notch rear, giving the revolver a more target-oriented capability than most traditional percussion designs. Chambered in .45 caliber and clearly marked for black powder only, the Old Army utilizes a six-shot percussion cylinder and integral loading lever, preserving the cap-and-ball system that predates metallic cartridges. Ruger’s execution of this classic format included modern tolerances and a refined action, contributing to its long-standing reputation among black powder enthusiasts. The stainless construction provides enhanced corrosion resistance, particularly valuable in a platform that regularly encounters the fouling and residue associated with black powder shooting.
Conditionally, this example retains approximately 98 percent of its original stainless finish, showing light surface scratches and a few small pitting marks on the face of the cylinder. There is heavy carbon buildup present, and one cylinder nipple is missing. The bore remains bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, earning a strong 9.5 out of 10 rating. The smooth wood grip panels remain solid with only light handling marks and no cracks, rating very good plus overall. While the action functions correctly, the revolver would benefit from thorough cleaning and replacement of the missing nipple before use. Taken together, this Ruger Old Army offers a strong late-production example of one of the most robust modern percussion revolvers ever manufactured. -R.E.
