Any value remium to pre-billboard stainless Ruger Old Army?

[Tallbald]

I may have to divest myself of one of my three stainless Ruger Old Army revolvers to fund a (gulp) shotgun purchase. This one is a typical 7.5 inch adjustable sight stainless,with walnut grips, but according to the Ruger web sight is a 1978 version, and it does not have the warning "billboard" on the barrel like later versions. I have no box, manual, or nipple tool for it, and it has a high polish I gave it with Mother's Mag Polish to remove little scratches from the years. Bore is fine. No modifications unless a previous owner did something. I'm trying to assess a price so I know what to ask when I put it up for sale on commission at a local gun shop. Does the "pre-warning" barrel fact give it a value premium? Thanks all. Don

 

[J-Bar]

Here is an opinion from an ROA admirer and shooter, not a collector:

A brand new in the box unfired ROA with no barrel warning and with all factory papers and the box in fine condition might bring a premium price to a dedicated Ruger collector. Old Armies are commanding a premium these days, and the virginity of such a gun should bring several hundred dollars extra.

But, without the peripherals, what you have in my opinion is a well cared for early ROA that should bring about what most of the others are fetching these days...$600 to $750 according to Gunbroker.

You might get lucky and find a collector who needs a smooth barrel to fill a gap, but I think you are gonna have to search.

I admit I am guessing...I will be interested to see if I am very far off base.

Good luck.

 

[Tallbald]

J-Bar I appreciate your thoughts. I was kinda thinking the same thing. It's a curiosity but I don't know that it's really something super-special except that it's a very accurate beauty. Don

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

The fact that she has no warning is worthy of noting, and will increase the number of potential buyers who may be interested but the wide dollar range the ROA's are going for these days swings far more than any premium value the pre warning status gives you. the $600 to $750 range sounds right for what they have been going for on Gunbroker, however in a LGS that could be a lot less depending on where you are at. There is a limited market for ROA's. Gunbroker is probably your best chance to get top dollar.