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you guys are starting to take the "fun" out of collecting................. [/quote]

I completely agree. As a matter of fact, flattops are not flattops, they are Blackhawks. Three screws or old models are not three screws or old models, they too are Blackhawks. So there!!!!!!!!!!

Lets just pile them all together and forget the names and modifications.

Sorry.........You are incorrect. A Flattop is just that. If you do not have the book(s), do become advised of the differences. An earred model Blackhawk is not a Flattop, whether Old or New Model. There is a rather vast difference.

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SPLITZ
NRA BENEFACTOR
Arizona Arms Assn Life Member & Past President,1981/'86
RCA, and RCA Field Rep Emeritus
Minn Weapons Collectors
Colt Collectors' Assn

Where does it say flattop?? Not on the shipper, not on the box, not on the gun, not even on the manual. It is only a flattop because collectors say it is a flattop due to the original design. Ruge does call them old models in the recall literature but that is about it. As for the Hank Williams Jr special, my letters from Ruger states that is what they are so until Ruger send me something that states they were incorrect, they are what the letters say.

I do have the books which was written by someone other than the original designer. See it is us colletors that determine what is and what is not.

[quote="seeemmiss"]Where does it say flattop?? Not on the shipper, not on the box, not on the gun, not even on the manual. It is only a flattop because collectors say it is a flattop due to the original design.

What is the question, here? "WHAT DOES IT "LOOK LIKE" ? Gee, it has no ears and it looks like a Flattop......................Suggest you find another battle to fight. BTW, go off and look at the Anniversary FLATTOPS, please.
Like Larry the Cable Guy sez about his weird cousin............."He ain't got no ears"......Neither does a Flattop, no matter what the damn label sez......

_________________
SPLITZ
NRA BENEFACTOR
Arizona Arms Assn Life Member & Past President,1981/'86
RCA, and RCA Field Rep Emeritus
Minn Weapons Collectors
Colt Collectors' Assn

.......... ( must be cabin fever........)

now this makes NO sense at all.........so for ME, as my cousin Porky says...

"Thats all folks.................."

_________________
Dan

NRA Benefactor

Some folks just ain't happy unless they're unhappy about something.

All I am saying is my letter from Ruger says the 41 "flattops" are Hank Williams Jr models and I see nothing but this post that says otherwise. I do know EXACTLY what a flattop is. I also know Ruger called the anniversary guns "flattops". The name comes from the lack of the protected sight "ears" as you have said. The name was created by collectors in the begining and would not have been called "flattops" by Ruger unless there was a collector following.

The reason for all of this is why attempt to discourage the "Hank Williams Jr" theory? Let it be!!!

As for you Mr. Hawkeye #28. Go have another drink. It is going to be OK.

You know, it occurs to me that you have a letter, a gun you must enjoy(I assume) and an opinion about both. Soon, we are told that Ruger will send you another letter, about your gun, the 41 magnum. Better rest up, as then, upon receiving that second letter, you will have further decisions to make about your gun, and it's history. Hope you are up to the task........Some of this proves one of the NNW theories. That is the one that notes "bizarre" takes strange forms when it comes to opinions, though each of us is entitled to those personal observations...........Enjoy the first letter and don't allow yourself to become too confused by the second. Both will focus further on your 41 magnum Flattop.......... Good thing the weekend is coming. ATB,
Mike

_________________
SPLITZ
NRA BENEFACTOR
Arizona Arms Assn Life Member & Past President,1981/'86
RCA, and RCA Field Rep Emeritus
Minn Weapons Collectors
Colt Collectors' Assn

TOUCHE Mike!!!!!!!
Plus 1

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Life Mem.MOPH
Life Mem.USMC
Clyde "Jug" Johnson - Sixgun Man

There's a previous, lengthy thread discussing this matter. One post within it is the following, somewhat abbreviated . . .

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I am new to this forum, but just had to put in my $.02 worth.
As the president of Williams Shooters' Supply, the lack of notification on these guns is my fault. Ruger produced the 0868 sometime in the past (I haven't asked when.... yet). They were offered to me along with some other discontinued items. They first arrived in our warehouse on September 16th. In all honesty, they were an afterthought. They were a special make up gun for a very famous Ruger Fan. After we received the initial 40 units, Ruger offered us another 36 units early last week. As of 5pm Central time today we took an order for the last 4 units. We currently have another 200 units on order, but no idea of the delivery date yet.

_________________
Kent Williams
President
Williams Shooters' Supply, INC
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From this I take it that perhaps Mr. Hank Williams, Jr. might have requested that Ruger make him a "special" gun. This is not unheard of. It is not unlikely that Ruger decided to make a "few" while they were at it. It is also not unlikely that those involved referred to these as the "Hank Williams guns" as they were processed thru manufacturing, and thus did the nomenclature stick. Once something gets started it's hard to stop it.

I can also see that Hank might not appreciate all this fuss, and Ruger is likely attempting to smooth things over. The letters mentioning the Hank reference will no doubt become collectors' items, particularly if accompanied by any "correction" letters that may be forthcoming.

Interesting episode.

Totally JMHO, of course.

Thanks Ale-8(1). That's exactly as I remember it. I have my opinion now and my curiousity has been satisfied, but will leave opinions up to others.
I'm pretty sure I know why Ruger has issued their statement.
I will say however, that for the sake of our hobby and RF and everything associated with Ruger collecting....I am very serious in the view that we all need to respect Ruger's statement on the matter!
Chet15

Seems like those with one gun and two letters, WIN! Oh, heck, these are New Models, anyway........

_________________
SPLITZ
NRA BENEFACTOR
Arizona Arms Assn Life Member & Past President,1981/'86
RCA, and RCA Field Rep Emeritus
Minn Weapons Collectors
Colt Collectors' Assn

Yep the new model BS rises to the surface. That is why I said that in thirty years the letters might matter. Right now they mean absolutely nothing. So are the days of our lives.

a lot of chest beating over what is still a extremely cool gun, on a neat format(flatop) who the hell cares what the genesis of this is, I am tickled to have one and in the future whatever it becomes known as I believe it extremely collectible and neat as hell. Let me know what it is when all the dust settles. IMHO sa

I'm with singleactioon. What's the big deal? Does having some connection to HWJr make it better? I for one could care less - Don't particularly care for the man myself. Still, seems to some having that connection is some chest-beating need for some.