Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

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plat1
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Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by plat1 »

I got this heavily customized .44 magnum flattop at auction back in July. It was manufactured in 1958 according to rugers website.

Anyone have any ideas on who may have done the work?


As far as work done to it, it’s obviously had the grip frame replaced. From the tool marks on the frame it was made machine from a block of brass rather than being cast or modified from another gun.

The vent rib was added and the top of it and the top strap of the frame have been checkered as one piece. The front sight was custom made as well and mounts in the vent rib.

The hammer spur was cut off and then the larger custom spur welded on and checkered.

Rear sight is a micro sight (which would be factory?)

Everything on it is fitted very well, action is smooth and the trigger is very nice. I’ve shot it a bit and it shoots quite nice though is shaving a little lead. I’ll be investigating that more the next time I’m at the range though I think it is from some tool marks at the forcing cone and may need a little work there.

I am figuring the work was done either when the gun was new or more likely the early 60s.

Because I can’t help but tinker, it’s most likely going to get new sights. I’ll custom make a new front with either a brass or gold bead or with horizontal gold bars. The rear will be replaced with a Bowen target sight. I’ll keep the originals with the gun, but I intend to shoot the gun (and hunt with it) and prefer a different sight.

In the auction pictures I could not see any of the checkering work. When I unwrapped the gun at my local FFL I got a great surprise when I flipped it over and saw it. I’ve got a form filled out for a ruger factory letter sitting on my desk at work for whenever I get around to sending it in. I’m hoping that it might give me a starting point on trying to discover who did the work

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flattop44
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by flattop44 »

I have no idea who did the work but its a cool looking revolver. The brass grip frame has a Bisley shape to it. Happy to hear that it shoots well too. Oh,.happy that you have joined us.
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gunman42782
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by gunman42782 »

Certainly is a unique Flattop! I have never seen one like it.
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plat1
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by plat1 »

flattop44 wrote: Sat Sep 24, 2022 6:26 am I have no idea who did the work but its a cool looking revolver. The brass grip frame has a Bisley shape to it. Happy to hear that it shoots well too. Oh,.happy that you have joined us.
FT44
When comparing, it has a closer shape to a Keith no 5, though a bit larger.

I took the grip frame off shortly after posting. This looking for any sort of marks under them, unfortunately there none
flattop44
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by flattop44 »

Agree with you on the grip frame being closer to the Keith #5 shape. Did you look under the ERH, sometimes they put their mark there.

Bill
plat1
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by plat1 »

I’ve had the ejector rod housing off and didn’t notice anything marked there but I wasn’t looking. I’ll check tomorrow evening and see if I may have missed it.

I’ve got an RW grip frames brass no 5 frame that I’m fitting to a new model. It is smaller than this one. Honestly I’d say the shape is close to the Keith no 5 frame but the size is closer to a ruger bisley

Edit: I checked under the ERH, no markings there unfortunately
Last edited by plat1 on Tue Sep 27, 2022 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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T.A. Workman
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by T.A. Workman »

Welcome to the forum & one heck of a first post I might add !!
I don't know who did the work, but IMO he had very good taste. Beautiful handgun you have there.
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Dobegrant
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by Dobegrant »

Cannot help with who might have made it, but it is a really neat revolver.
Blackhawk41
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by Blackhawk41 »

Wow, that's a beautiful and unique piece! Is it still in an unconverted state?
plat1
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Re: Any ideas who built this 1958 .44

Post by plat1 »

Blackhawk41 wrote: Mon Jan 16, 2023 9:20 pm Wow, that's a beautiful and unique piece! Is it still in an unconverted state?
Yep, unconverted, and there is no way I’d ever send it back for conversion. I’m actually considering using a 3 screw .30 carbine as a donor to build a .45 colt that matches it. Haven’t completely convinced myself yet though.
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