My Word!

[uscra112]

Somebody paid a bundle for this stainless Ruger Old Army. Granted it is N.I.B. but still.....

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/988097312

Well north of $1500 by the time taxes and fees get tacked on.

[georgerkahn]

Good looking firearm, and if I had that much extra cash lying about, I may very well buy it, or one just like it. Sadly, waaay out of reach for my finances... BUT, again, there are those for whom such a purchase is a reality! I know on RARE occasions I get a windfall -- e.g., I sell something; or, others inherit; or, even perhaps win a Lottery -- my hope only being happiness for the buyer and best wishes to him or her with it! Just as a side note, I have recently seen several "snake Colts" (Pythons, Anacondas) which were USED each sell for more than two grand!
geo

[stubshaft]

Worth every penny of it!

[uscra112]

Gee, I bought my own stainless ROA for something short of $300, but it was in 1999. I just can't cope with how things have changed, I guess.

[ddixie884]

Well at least we know for sure what it is worth. It is worth whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay. Since they don’t make them anymore. I guess you just have to pay whatever it takes if you really want one. And a brand new one would be hard to come by since it’s been several years since they made one. This is just all my personal opinion. I’m glad for the buyer and the seller.

[uscra112]

I wonder if the buyer plans to put it away, and in a year or two offer it for twice that price.

[high standard 40]

My, how times change. When those were first released I was the manager of a small sporting goods store. We had one of those in the display case and it sat there forever. Couldn't give it away.

[country gent]

All I can say is a few years ago I went to a local auction house for a firearms auction they had a wildey in 475 no presentation box lips and ammo sold off separately, it did he the manual. At the time on the internet auction sites they were going for $2300.00 with the presentation box 2 clips and some ammo. This one went for a little over $4000.00 said and done. At an auction when you get 2 people who wont "lose" wanting an item the seller really wins. I have seen firearms sell for lose to what you could by them new for at auctions. People used to have an idea if what an item was worth and their limit on it. Now the auction is a contest that some wont lose an item. Ive heard this many times, I won this item

[contender1]

Gee, I bought my own stainless ROA for something short of $300, but it was in 1999. I just can't cope with how things have changed, I guess.

Well, 1999,, and today being 2023, for a total of 24 years,, combined with the inflation, and the fact that Ruger stopped building them,, many people have decided to pay more because they have to.

A serious Ruger collector, even if it is NIB,, (missing the outer shipper,) would only go about $700-$750. It's a fairly common variation from what I could see.

[bedbugbilly]

Well . . . I guess you have to ask how many of them are sitting somewhere that are in "new in the box" condition? Being old, I admit I'm a bit shocked at the selling price, but I.ve seen some of the ROA' that have been rode hard and put away wet that the seller's want a pretty stiff price for. More than one must have figured it was worth it or else it wouldn't have sold for that.

I fully understand the bean counters and why products are dropped, but I have often wondered if Ruger still has the tooling and if they would ever make a run of the ROA again. If they ever did, we might also be a bit shocked on what the would sell for now?

I'm guessing the new owner of the NIB ROA probably isn't going to be shooting it.

Thanks for the post - pretty interesting!

[contender1]

Actually,, finding the ROA in NIB condition isn't too hard. I know of several,, but I also run with the collectors & such.

There are several variations of that gun, and some are quite interesting.

And yes,, with the current market,, I'm sure many folks feel they "gotta have it" and pay more.

But I'd bet a dollar to a donut that Ruger has the stuff to make them again. As we collectors like to say; "Never say never when it comes to Ruger!"

[missionary5155]

And 150 years ago that new Colt 1873 cost a cowboy alot.... but the big boss ranch owner did not flinch one bit.

[armoredman]

I would love a Ruger Old Army stainless...but not at that price, yikes.

[murf205]

My, how times change. When those were first released I was the manager of a small sporting goods store. We had one of those in the display case and it sat there forever. Couldn't give it away.

Kinda' like the Super Birds and Talladega Mopars on the late 60's and early 70's. They sat on the dealers lots for ever and no body wanted them either. Now, they are ridiculous expensive especially with the Hemi. Look at the Ruger Hawkeye. They didn't set the world on fire but now they are like gold.

[Electrod47]

worth every penny of it!

ditto

[bedbugbilly]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so is value.

I'm just "reflecting" here . . . . and I think the problem of being "old" or "older" . . . and I'm talking about myself . . . . is that we remember what things "used to cost". In 1972, when the ROA came out, I was married, my wife and I were halfway through college and I was working two jobs while taking a full load of classes, To say that money was tight would be an understatement . . . . . but we still found ways to do things and have fun. Anyways . . . . I can remember also, when a few years later, you could still buy milsurp bolt actions for under $20 that were piled on tables at gun shows . . . . and I still remember buying several 1861 model rifled muskets in the '60s that were in nice shootable shape . . . . one cost me $35 and the other one IIRC, I paid $40 for . . . . having earned the money by mowing lawns at $1.00 to $1.50 each - yup! Everything has gone up over the years.

Now flash ahead about three generations . . . . what we old ones consider "antique" is totally different than what most younger folks consider "antique" . . . or "collectible. A milsurp rifle that I bought for $15, would now be considered by many as a great buy at $300 by a younger generation today.

I'm not being critical . . . . it's all relevant to the passage of time. One thing is inevitable . . . . as time passes, things cost more . . . markets fluctuate and wages hopefully go up to offset the increase in the cost of living. As far as "collectibles" . . . my Dad always said that, "the value of anything was established by what a willing buyer was willing to pay a willing seller at a given time". Doesn't matter if it's an egg, a cow or a NIB Ruger Old Army.

I think the great thing about it is that someone kept it, never used it but took care of it . . . and someone who really wanted it, was able to afford it, buy it and enjoy it . . . whether it be for collecting purposes, investment or just to have a really good revolver.

[uscra112]

. . . what we old ones consider "antique" is totally different than what most younger folks consider "antique" . . . or "collectible.

So true, and I failed to consider that in my first post. I was running a Honda shop in the early '70s. Bikes I sold NEW are now rated classic collectibles, which makes me chuckle a bit because they really weren't very good. Handling was terrible, and too many parts were 90% junk before the warranty ran out. (Don't let me get started......) But 30-somethings and even 50-somethings of today know nothing of that.

[CastingFool]

I remember when 10/22's were selling on the newspaper, used for $35. After getting tired of seeing those prices I started thinking I should get one. By the time I finally made up my mind, the going price had gone up to $50. A bit more than what I was comfortable with. So I never got one. I do have a Nylon 66, which I really enjoy