There are some beautiful collector guns in the world. Then, there are guns that transcend the understanding of beauty into pure art. The Jade Vaquero is such a gun. And it was featured in the 2024 SHOT Show auction.
This one-of-a-kind, single-action .45 Colt revolver contains custom features that make this handgun a masterpiece, and just might turn it into a legacy. The handles were made of hand-carved jade, a stone once associated with nobility, and is what gives the gun its name. It is also what gives this handgun a look and feel like no other. The handles are gorgeous yet simple; tough but delicate; and art but functional. Of course, a collector might not want to fire this gun but he or she could.
This 7.5-inch barreled handgun also contains extensive hand-engraving by Paul Lantuch. This piece of art then received 22-karat gold inlayed into the engraving, including the Ruger emblem, to make it truly unique, as well as valuable.
The Jade Vaquero package included a custom wood box wrapped in Nubian goat skin leather to increase the presentation factor. Everything about this gun, in fact, is a testament to craftsmanship and the amazing history of firearm engraving. This includes to where the auction’s proceeds headed.
Benefited Cody Firearms Museum
The auction was a result of a collaboration that included Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., the Ruger Custom Shop, artist Paul Lantuch and Baron Engraving, along with photographer Hunter Elliott of Rangehot, to benefit the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wy. The Jade Vaquero embodies the history of firearms, along with the craftsman who worked tirelessly to create masterful works of art. This means this gun matches the mission of the museum for which it helped.
“This gun is fitting of the Cody Firearms Museum and the buyer truly bought a historic piece,” said David Miles, president & CEO of Baron Engraving. “It could be displayed in the Cody Firearms Museum 100 years from now. We are honored to do our part to help in the education of future firearms owners, along with the preservation of the history of firearms.”
The Jade Vaquero was featured at the Baron Engraving booth (12801) at the 2024 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The auction ended on January 26, the last day of the show. The auction, however, was available to all on GunBroker.com, raising $20,026 for the Cody Firearms Museum. In fact, the Jade Vaquero jumped pretty quickly from its $.01 auction beginnings, with 22 bidders from 16 states vying for this one-of-a-kind revolver.
The Jade Vaquero Specs
- Model: Ruger Vaquero
- Barrel Length: 7 1/2″
- Caliber: .45 Long Colt
- Engravings: Extensive hand engraving by Paul Lantuch
- 22K gold: eagle three-dimensional overlay on the blast shield, with gold inlay coverage on cylinder, frame, grip frame, barrel, and ejector housing.
- Grips: Custom made Siberian jade grip panels
- Serial Number: 58-75092
