The first SS Rugers

Production wise that is. What & when was the first one?

1975 info shows stainless available in these;

- 5.5" & 6.5" Single Six 22 only
- 5.5" & 6.5" Single Six convertible
- 4.6" & 6.5" Blackhawk in .357
- All Six series, Security, Police Service, & Speed

My Dad bought a stainless Single Six convertible (6.5") way before 1975--1974, or maybe even 1973. It just showed up at the LGS one day. He had it BEFORE it was written up in the magazines, and I noticed that his SN was hundreds lower than the magazine test guns. I always wondered how the LGS got such an early one.

Any Ruger SA made before 1973 would be an OM, and there are no known factory OM Ruger SA's. Without delving into the books, I'm thinking 1974-1975 would be the right date.
Snake, do you have that gun still? And if so, have you gotten a letter on it from Ruger?
If it was a prototype,, or early sample one,, it may be valuable!

contender said:

Snake, do you have that gun still? And if so, have you gotten a letter on it from Ruger?
If it was a prototype,, or early sample one,, it may be valuable!

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My son has it, with box and all paperwork. No, we've never gotten a letter on it.

I Have A Ruger 357Mag. Stainless With Ser.No. 131751.

Hi, while discussing this can someone tell me the first stainless semi auto 22? Thanks Ken

Sorry this question should be under the other catagory

Snake, would you give us at least a partial serial number on that gun, please.

Curious minds, etc.

:mrgreen:

contender said:

Any Ruger SA made before 1973 would be an OM, and there are no known factory stainless steel OM Ruger SA's.

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I believe that's the actual situation.

JMHO

Get Wood said:

I Have A Ruger 357Mag. Stainless With Ser.No. 131751.

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If you check that gun should have a prefix in front of that serial number. It should be 32 or higher.

Kandy Kisses said:

Hi, while discussing this can someone tell me the first stainless semi auto 22? Thanks Ken

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The first Stainless Auto was The Stainless Signature Model RST-4S About 5000 made

This, a high s/n stainless low-back, 151-15xxx was made in 1974. My guess would be that earlier stainless models were made in 1973.

Ale-8(1) said:

Snake, would you give us at least a partial serial number on that gun, please.

Curious minds, etc.

:mrgreen:

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Love to! I have it written down someplace...just have to see if I can find it...or will have to ask my kid next time he's in town.

Bottom gun s/n 150-953xx. RENE says it's from 1974.

Last Six Series 1973 gun was 150-64960.

I don't know how folks survive without RENE. :lol:

Street, There Is No Prefix No. And It Is A 3 Screw...

Get Wood said:

Street, There Is No Prefix No. And It Is A 3 Screw...

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That gun (131751) would have been from mid/late 1968, and there's essentially no way it would have been stainless from the factory.

There is the possibility it has been refinished in one of the aftermarket "stainless" treatments, however.

Got a picture?

OK
Seems SS goes back to '74 at least, and with a Security Six.

I think Hittmans SS low back is the first one of it's kind I've ever seen.

I had a guess that the first stainless would have started with a Single Six or a BH. Maybe not.


I suppose I could have asked my initial question in the collectors section, but this was just a mere curiosity.

Ale-8(1) said:

Snake, would you give us at least a partial serial number on that gun, please.

Curious minds, etc.

:mrgreen:

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Haven't found it or heard back from my kid yet, but I remembered I had some pics of it on the computer. Zoomed in on the SN but it's not 100% clear.

On two it looks like the SN is 62-939XX or maybe 62-935XX. On the third it looks like it could be 62-439XX.

Best I can do at the moment. Any help at all?

Snake, it's a New Model from 1973 or 1974, depending on the actual number . . . the earliest New Model of the Super Single Six.

Earliest known stainless numbers are 62-55535 to 63-93214.

Above info from the RENE Reference of Ruger Firearms.

Ale-8(1) said:

Snake, it's a New Model from 1973 or 1974, depending on the actual number . . . the earliest New Model of the Super Single Six.

Earliest known stainless numbers are 62-55535 to 63-93214.

Above info from the RENE Reference of Ruger Firearms.

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So I guess it's not 439XX, then. (Or if it is, it's REALLY early).

Ale, if you want to email me, I'll email you back the raw pics and you can see for yourself what you think, but I'm not openly posting full SNs.

SnakeACP45 at aol dot com.