Vol. VII No. 1
Ruger’s ‘Old Model’ Single-action Revolvers: A Cautionary Tale of Reproducing Historical Firearms in a Litigious Age
Abstract
In 1953, Ruger released a single-action revolver—patterned after the original Colt Single Action Army. Whilst some changes had been made, this firearm possessed, for all intents and purposes, the handling characteristics of the original Colt design. As a result, the safety precaution was as per the original: the revolver should be loaded with five rounds, rather than six, and the hammer positioned such that it rested over an empty chamber. Despite outlining the recommended carry methods in their instruction manual, Ruger became the subject of product liability lawsuits from purchasers who incorrectly loaded and carried the firearm, resulting in negligent discharges. This article explores the history of Colt-type single-action revolvers in the post-World War II period, analyses the availability of historic mechanical safety mechanisms for double-action revolvers in the 19th and 20th centuries, and summarises the patents on single-action safeties that Ruger had received by 1973. That year, the company discontinued their initial line of Single Action Army-style revolvers—known as ‘Old Models’—for a visibly similar, but mechanically different, ‘New Model’ line of single-action revolvers featuring newly developed safety mechanisms.
Bibliographic Information
Ashley Hlebinsky, ‘Ruger’s ‘Old Model’ Single-action Revolvers: A Cautionary Tale of Reproducing Historical Firearms in a Litigious Age’, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Vol. VII № 1 (2021), pp. 61–76, <https://doi.org/10.52357/armax15225>.
About the Author
Ashley Hlebinsky is the Curator Emerita and Senior Firearms Scholar of the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM), an Adjunct Scholar for Firearms History, Technology & Culture for the Firearms Policy Coalition, and Consulting Senior Firearms Specialist for Hindman-Cowans Auction House. During her previous tenure as Curator of the CFM, she also served as the Project Director of the museum’s multi-million-dollar renovation. In addition to her work with the Museum, Ms. Hlebinsky consults on firearms history for museums, lawyers, politicians, and other commercial and non-profit institutions. She continues to write on firearms topics for various publications, and has appeared in and produced several television programs.