A number of years ago I picked up a well-used OM 3-screw Ruger Blackhawk in 357, here in Virginia. While holding on to it, I read up on the 44 Special and the Perfect Packing Pistol by gunwriter John Taffin and got the bug for one. I sent the Ruger to Hamilton Bowen to have him work his magic. He did so much work that it cost me $4000+ for the just the metal work. That included upgrading or replacing every part to handle the 44 Special. He also did some fancy work on it to make it unique. The grips were an extra $700+ and made of dark English Walnut. The work was done by Rowan Custom Grips, recommended by Bowen as Rowan was a student of Roy Fishpaw and Fishpaw was no longer making grips. Just by looking at the handgun you can see that a vast amount of work was performed and the list of work would fill a page. It was a complete custom re-build of an OM and still in the OM configuration, which means it is a five shot with a sixth empty under the hammer. There is not a ding or mark on it. The cylinder has never been turned, the gun never fired, the hammer never cocked and the loading gate never opened.
I have the original work order, emails and written request for the handgun work, but lost the work order from Rowan for the custom grips in a recent move. I have lost interest in the Perfect Packing Pistol over the past two years and it has been sitting in a safe since I had it built in 2017. It needs to go to someone who will use and admire it more than I have.
Available in the Springfield, VA area for a F-T-F at $4500. If I have to ship, it will be $4600 to cover shipping and insurance. I must ship to an FFL and they must accept from a private person. I accept cash, MO and personal checks. No trades or PayPal. Yes, it is a lot of money, but it is a lot of gun and a one-of-a-kind build by the best of the best gunsmiths and grip makers. Contact me with any questions.
Everyone should own a Bowen conversion in their lifetime, I did. I had Mr. Bowen build a .44 Special on a 5" Pre '27 Smith & Wesson. It was a joy to shoot and a top shelf example of the best gun craftsmanship available.
Beautiful revolver. If I may suggest, I'd list that over on the Ruger Forum, there you will find a better audience (looney) for this unique opportunity.
Beautiful revolver. If I may suggest, I'd list that over on the Ruger Forum, there you will find a better audience (looney) for this unique opportunity.
