Early Single Six... 1954

Here's an old one I saw today so I snapped some photos. The serial number may be popular with Italian collectors!

That Ruger needs the Flatgate put back.

Hi looks like a Premier gate that gun looks to be in very nice shape was it for sale or in someones collection

Gramps

Would have been much better if those scribbles were inside, hidden by the grip panels, but it's still a really nice old piece. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Nice old Flatgate,, that needs the gate fixed,, and a new g/f that isn't all scratched up. Plus,, it has some of the reddish color peeking out in a few spots,, that many of us find attractive.
I had to look at my list to check that number too!
Nice one!

yeswwir, that is a NICE gun, and appears by the LONGER gate to be the 'Premiere' version...as for the markings on the bottom of the grip a "
piece of cake" to simply remove ( buff out) and hit the flat ONLY with a quick spray of something like Brownells 'Alumahide' , we have done this HUNDREDS of time for folks over the years cheaper than buying another XR-3 frame.......and have even seen recently one the shop north of us did in flat black Cerocoat...looked awesome

Again, that is a NICE gun :wink:

GRAMPS 51 said:

Hi looks like a Premier gate that gun looks to be in very nice shape was it for sale or in someones collection

Gramps

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Hi Gramps,

My friend currently has it. I let him know years ago that it was a rare one. He showed it to me again yesterday and I asked if I could share photos here. I should have tried to take a couple photos outside because I thought I could remember seeing a lightning strike when I first saw it.

Unconverted

Your single six and i were born the same year. Your single six looks to have aged better than me!!

I called Records for fun. It shipped in April 1954. The invoice isn't available though.

And i was born in April, wow, what a coincidence!

BDM1 said:

And i was born in April, wow, what a coincidence!

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Nice!

My old eyes are not as good as they used to be but the medallions in the grips look kinda shiney the 1954 thru 55 were a dull matt finish. J/S
Love the coloring on the frame!

daveg.inkc said:

That Ruger needs the Flatgate put back.

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I see a Premier ejector button as well.
Chet15

I'm not an expert by any means. I thought a 1954 model came with a flat loading gate. I have read where the gates could be swapped out.

Yes, Ruger Single-Sixes came were shipped with flat loading gates up to March 1957.
A company called the "Premier Weapons Company" from California produced a contoured gate and Colt style half-moon button ejector rod as a retro. When Ruger saw that he figured he better get on the stick and put a contoured gate on his gun right from the factory. The public obviously wanted it.
Chet15

I went back and took some photos outdoors to showcase the frame colors. I especially like the first photo.

Big thanks to all who helped out by posting information on this thread.