Any ideas who built this 1958 .44
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:25 pm
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
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