Ruger Old Army .45 Black Powder Cap-and-Ball Revolver, 7.5 in Barrel, Adjustable Sights, 1972
Ruger’s Old Army is a robust, investment-cast, all-steel cap-and-ball revolver, and this 1972 example combines classic design with practical features. It has a 7.5 inch barrel, a silver-tone brushed steel finish, and fully adjustable sights with a pinned ramp front blade. The unfluted cylinder is marked "FOR BLACK POWDER ONLY," and the revolver retains the three-screw Old Model style frame and under-barrel loading lever with spring-loaded rammer.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Details: This firearm is in solid shape. It has various cosmetic imperfections, scratches, blemishes, and finish loss.
What’s Included
- Nylon holster
The Old Army’s all-steel construction reflects Ruger’s investment-cast approach, delivering a sturdy percussion revolver built for repeated use with black powder. The frame, cylinder, and barrel share a matching silver-tone brushed steel finish, complemented by walnut grips with Ruger medallions.
Its 7.5 inch barrel pairs with target-style sights: a fully adjustable square-notch rear and a pinned square-blade front on a ramped base. This sighting setup supports precise elevation and windage adjustments.
The cap-and-ball system features an integral under-barrel loading lever with a spring-loaded rammer for seating projectiles. The unfluted six-shot cylinder is clearly rollmarked "FOR BLACK POWDER ONLY," underscoring proper use with black powder charges.
Control and safety elements include single-action-only operation with an external hammer, cylinder safety notches, and a half-cock notch. Period-correct markings include the top-of-barrel rollmark "STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A."