Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: New Vaquero (05124), Cowboy Fast Draw Limited Edition 542 of 1000
Serial Number: CFDA00542
Year of Manufacture: 2008 / Modern
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action, 6 Shot Fluted Cylinder Revolver with "Old-Style" Vaquero Hammer.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter moon blade. The rear sight is a square notch in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece checkered hard rubber panels with Ruger logos molded at their tops. There are no chips and cracks. Overall the grip panels are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Gloss Stainless
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its finish. The balance of the finish shows very light operational and handling wear. There is a very faint turn line. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions as correctly. Has a transfer bar safety. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Original gray Ruger hard case.
Our Assessment: Introduced in 2008 as a limited exclusive, the Cowboy Fast Draw Association New Vaquero was a purpose-built variation of Ruger’s fixed-sight single-action revolver. Ruger fitted the mid-size New Vaquero with the higher, traditional “Old Model” Vaquero hammer requested by fast-draw competitors, while retaining the reverse-indexing pawl, beveled cylinder, fixed sights, and durable transfer-bar action of the standard revolver. Finished in high-gloss stainless steel and chambered in .45 Colt, production was limited to 1,000 revolvers carrying the distinctive CFDA serial-number sequence, giving this model legitimate scarcity beyond the standard cataloged New Vaquero.
This 2008 example bears serial number CFDA00542 and remains in Excellent condition, retaining approximately 99% of its original gloss stainless finish with only faint operational and handling wear. Its grips remain excellent, the bore rates 9/10, and the action functions as intended. The original gray Ruger case further complements this scarce, competition-oriented variation. Combining limited production, recognizable CFDA provenance, excellent preservation, and Ruger’s proven single-action design, this revolver will appeal equally to advanced Ruger collectors and Cowboy Fast Draw enthusiasts.
