The Ruger Bearcat is a compact, single action revolver chambered in .22 LR, originally introduced in 1958. Designed as a scaled down single action revolver, the Bearcat was built on a smaller frame than the Single Six and intended for casual target shooting, plinking, and small game use. The original Bearcat featured an alloy frame and an unfluted cylinder engraved with a rolling bear and cougar scene, giving the model its name. In 1973, production shifted to the New Model designation with the incorporation of Ruger's transfer bar safety mechanism, and the frame material changed to steel. The New Model Bearcat uses a 6 round unfluted cylinder and a loading gate for single round loading and ejection, consistent with traditional single action revolver operation.

This example is a 50th Anniversary edition, model 00914, manufactured in 2008 to commemorate the fiftieth year since the Bearcat's introduction. The revolver features a 4 inch barrel with a blued finish and "50TH ANNIVERSARY BEARCAT - 2008" marked on the top of the barrel. The trigger guard is finished in gold color, and the unfluted cylinder is engraved with bearcat scenes and features "RUGER BEARCAT" in gold inlay along with gold rings around the circumference at the front and rear of the cylinder. The revolver is fitted with smooth cocobolo grips. Accompanied by Ruger pouch.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
• Model: New Model Bearcat, 50th Anniversary Edition (00914)
• Date of Manufacture: 2008
• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Single action
• Barrel: 4 inches
• Frame: Steel
• Finish: Blued with gold accented trigger guard and cylinder inlays
• Grips: Smooth cocobolo
• Cylinder: Unfluted, engraved, gold inlaid "RUGER BEARCAT" marking, 6 rounds
• Sights: Blade front, fixed rear notch