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SPECIAL-ORDER GUNS AND SERVICES Bowen Classic Arms is prepared to offer revolvers of greater sophistication and refinement than those featured in our regular catalog. These guns will require more handwork and attention to detail and are available in very limited numbers each year. They may require forging, engraving and other specialty skills that we cannot provide in-house and utilize parts and materials that may be more difficult to procure. Consequently, our special-order guns will require more time to deliver than the usual catalog work, as long as 2-3 years in some cases. The simpler modification-non-standard barrel patterns, tops strap welding, etc.-are not available separately but as options for the packages outlined in the general catalog. Nearly all of these modifications are covered in the book The Custom Revolver in considerable detail (available at http://www.bowenclassicarms.com or (865) 981-8869.
Best-quality Ruger single-action revolvers: These guns have the same mechanical refinements and modifications as our standard, accurized, line-bored guns. The fit and finish, however, is far more refined and detailed, more akin to that found on custom long guns. Each is an integrated package built on 'New Model' guns (including the Single-Six) that includes the following:
Priced from $5995. Options include:
Custom single-action barrels: Several more complex and sophisticated styles are available as options on our regular catalog offerings that utilize custom barrels. Made from both chromoly and stainless. Advise length, taper, caliber, etc., where applicable. Maximum available length is 8 ½ inches. Prices are in addition to standard package prices:
Standard-caliber 6-shot line-bored caliber conversions: While not listed in our regular catalog, we can still offer standard-caliber guns built to the same levels of precision and accuracy as our heavy 5-shot revolvers with all the same mechanical refinements. Cylinders are standard-diameter factory-style parts. Options available per the general catalog. 'New Model' guns are available in most any caliber, including small rifle cartridges such as the .22 Hornet. From $1995; Single-Six guns, add $500. Sedgley take-out cylinder revolver conversions: Based on the 'New Model' Ruger Vaquero (or Blackhawk), this modern recreation of the Sedgley lift-out cylinder revolvers is one of the most unique available. The cylinder is hand detachable (lifts out through the loading gate) and has its own double-action extractor for unloading instead of the usual barrel-mounted ejector rod and housing. Please see the 'Gallery' section of our website for a photograph. The basic conversion features all of the receiver modifications (including the welding and post-weld heat-treat draw), one cylinder, a custom dovetail front sight, a tune-up and rebluing. Available in .38-40, .44-40, .44 Special, .45 Schofield and .45 Colt. Price on blue or stainless gun is $2995. Other options are available per the general catalog. Extra fitted cylinder $1750. Presentation-grade Colt-style single-actions: Bowen Classic Arms is prepared to offer highly detailed and refined revolvers based on either selected Colt (1rst gen. only) of United States Patent Firearms revolvers. No expense is spared and no detail overlooked to produce the finest contemporary single-action revolvers. Only the best components are utilized. Each is fitted and finished to perfection with all exterior surfaces detailed and hand polished just as are our best-grade Ruger revolvers. If necessary, custom cylinders will be utilized to procure the best throat and chamber specification. Custom barrels will be fitted with either traditional sights or our own Colt-pattern dovetail adjustable front sight. As far as possible, new Colt hammers and triggers will be used along with the finest domestic internal parts in order to provide durable, first-class tuning. An oversize, factory-pattern base pin is also fitted. Each is sighted and regulated for Black Hills factory ammo, where available. Barrels (and receivers, if need be) are roll marked. Carbona bluing and color case finish is standard. Screws, pins and triggers are nitre blued. Colt hard rubber or one piece fancy french walnut are standard with ivory as an extra-cost option. All are mated to ground grip frames for the very best possible fit. We can build either Army or Flat-top Target guns. A Light-weight version is also available as are Paradox guns with damascus barrels. Rimfire guns are a possibility. Several of these lovely revolvers are featured in the 'Gallery' section of our website and our book 'The Custom Revolver'. Naturally, engraving in a variety of styles is available. Prices by quotation from $3995. Keith No. 5 revolvers: For the first time, authentic reproduction of the Keith No. 5 are available. Utilizing archival material and United States Patent Firearms Flat-Top Target revolvers, Bisley backstraps, Colt and many custom parts, Bowen Classic Arms has produced a gun as faithful as possible to the original in every respect, right down to the top strap, base pin and latch, No. 5 grip frame and engraving. Each is hand finished and detailed in the best style. The fine engraving by Dan Love is executed in the original pattern with nearly 100% coverage. Paul Persinger produces and fits the carved ivory grips which feature the original Mexican eagle motif. Carbona bluing completes the job along with nitred screws and a color case-hardened hammer. These guns represent an enormous investment in time, research and construction and will be available in limited numbers, no more than one or two each year. $15,000 based on customer's revolver. 5-shot Ruger Redhawks with L-frame style barrels: In addition to the usual 5-shot cylinders, the guns are fitted with a graceful, refined full underlug barrel closely model after the S&W L-frame with grooved rib and an integral front sight base with pinned-in blades. Choice of patridge or Baughman ramp blades. Please see the .454 featured in the 'Gallery' section of our website. Calibers include .44 Mag., .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, .50 Special, .50 Action Express and .500 Linebaugh. Maximum 6-inch barrel length. .44 and .45 calibers guns are available with a square-shouldered rib cut to accommodate Ruger scope rings. All are available with an integral SSK Industries style expansion chamber muzzle brake. Blue or stainless. Priced from $2995. For scoped barrels, add $250. For .50 AE caliber, add $100. Brakes are $195. In some case, we may assess an additional barrel stock charge for caliber and material combinations that are rarely ordered. Please note: L-frame barrels are not available separately, only with 5-shot cylinder conversions. Double-action barrel installations: There are several non-standard barrel installations utilizing common double-action revolver barrels that make for inexpensive but unusually handsome results on both single- and double-action guns:
Fixed-sight single and double-action top strap conversions: Receiver top straps are welded and remachined. Receivers are drawn post-weld and refinished. Various compatible barrel and front sight styles are available. The Redhawk conversion is modeled on the classic S&W M&P much like the M1917. The top strap is welded up and reshaped then rib is removed from the barrel which is filed to round, leaving the ejector shroud and integral front sight base. Two front sight styles are available: either a pin-in or dovetail windage-adjustable front sight blade. Best done on 7 ½ in. blue guns (although stainless guns should be available in the future) with finished barrels from 3 to 6 inches. Done in the usual big-bore calibers from .41 to .50. From $2750 in. .44 Mag.(with stock 6-shot cylinders). Options 5-shot caliber conversions, fancy grips, lanyard rings, etc. We can also provide a wide variety of top straps for both Ruger Old and New Model medium and large-frame guns and the Colt New Frontiers.
These receiver modifications will include all welding, post-weld heat-treat draw, machine work and repolishing/rebluing and are offered as options to regular catalog packages. From about $695.
This is a general outline of the projects that we are prepared to undertake and is by no means a complete list. We will be happy to discuss any project that we view as feasible and in keeping with the nature of our work. Please see our regular catalog for ordering information and terms. Be sure to contact us prior to making as order for any special-order projects because some discussion early on will eliminate a great deal of confusion let us clarify what is practical and available. Thanks for your interest in our firm. |
