Ruger Old Army and a really good morning

I was at a show this morning. I've learned not to expect much at these things but you never know. It took maybe five minutes to spot it: a stainless ROA, 7.5 inch barrel and adjustable sights. The price was about half what I typically see these days and included the original box and instructions, 500 .457 round balls, several hundred percussion caps, and the good holster that Ruger sold with the ROA. All for under 500 bucks. There was no nipple wrench but I have several of those.

Looking closer I saw a 4 digit serial number and no billboard warnings on the barrel: so first year of manufacture. I'm 99 percent sure it's never been fired. The bore and chambers are immaculate and shiny, the nipples look untouched and there isn't a scratch on metal or wood. I suspect it came from an estate sale. My guess is the owner may have taken it from the box, looked it over, decided BP was too much trouble and put it away in a safe or closet. I found one like that years ago and have read similar stories online. It always seems weird to me but it happens.

Just wanted to share a happy experience. Sometimes you just get lucky. The ROA is my favorite cap and ball revolver, followed very closely by the Rogers and Spenser. Not that that keeps me from shooting the Remington and Colt clones.

Jeff

"Now get it dirty! "

J-Bar,
ABSOLUTELY!! It's going to the range with a blued cousin for comparison.

Jeff

38 Special,
Deals like this are rare but happen once in a while. I mentioned another time I found an ROA like this one in a presentation case with extra goodies. Then there was a time I came across an unfired T/C Cherokee 45 with the 32 caliber barrel as well, both in their boxes. Again, at a fantastic price. The same morning I got this latest ROA I found an item from my bucket list: a Lee Loader (whack-a-mole) 12 gauge kit, long discontinued, I've wanted for years. It was complete, in good condition, and cost ten bucks!! I plan to use it to hand load BP shotgun shells just for fun.

Oddly, almost every time this kind of deal happened, it involved black powder in some fashion. Suits me fine.

If I went to gun shows expecting to find these things, they would never happen. As it is, once I pay for the item, I am just thankful for the miracle. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good!

Jeff