T.A. WORKMAN
Hunter
Gentlemen,
In my original post on a Ruger GP-100 Proto-Type, serial #880-00009 a forum member ask me to share the results of my request for a letter from Ruger, so here it is I think you will find it interesting.
If you did not read the first post, here's the link if your interested} http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=219341&p=2191635#p2191635
September 15, 2015, I finally got around to sending a request to Ruger Records for letters on four revolvers, one of which was for Proto-Type GP-100, serial #880-00009. I received a message on my phone from Linda at Ruger records on September 30, 2015, requesting me to check the serial number again on the GP-100 and to call her back and confirm it. I dug the gun out of the safe and had it in hand when I returned her call, I confirmed to her that #880-00009 was the correct serial number and that I was holding it as we spoke. There was a short pause before Linda said, "Ruger's records do not show that gun as ever leaving the factory", after a long pause on my end I gave Linda all the info on how I had acquired the revolver. She in formed me that with out a shipping date from Ruger to another FFL that she could not issue a letter, but told me she would talk to her boss and get back to me.
October 1, 2015, I received a message on my phone from Mr. David Olsen, Ruger Records requesting me to call him back concerning some questions he had on the Proto-Type GP-100. He left me his direct personal number. I returned David's call and described the revolver in great detail to him as he had no idea what it looked like, I told him "This revolver was where Ruger should have stopped with the GP-100" and we both chuckled. I then told him what I knew about the gun and how I came to acquire it in detail, he responded by saying he wanted to do some more research and that he would get back to me.
Later in the day David called me back and informed me that the records on this revolver were, "Rather Grey" and there was nothing showing that Ruger ever shipped the gun out. He then ask me if I would ship the gun to Ruger so they could inspect & verify that it was in fact a factory gun, we might then be able to get it lettered. I told David that my biggest concern was that when Ruger got the gun back, that I might not get it back!! his response was immediate "I guarantee you will get your gun back" I had come to trust David through our talks and agreed to ship the revolver to Ruger. David then ask me if I minded sharing with him what I paid for the revolver, I told him around $800.00 with shipping and FFL fees included, he was amazed and thought that that was a great deal, I told him that my max bid on the gun however was $1,500.00 which he agreed was in line, and then told me he was going to insure it for 2K.
October 2, 2015 Ruger had the UPS truck pick up the revolver at my home the next day and shipped next day air.
October 5, 2015, David called to say that he had received the gun chuckled and simply said "WOW"! It was apparent to me that David was impressed with the gun. Then he surprised me and ask me if I had noted the two piece grips on the gun I said no and then it dawned on me the grips them selves were proto-type's also! remember this gun was hand built in February 1985, the GP-100 came along in 1986. I gave David the ultimate collector's compliment, "good eye David" we both laughed.
David ask me if I would do him a favor and allow Ruger to ship my gun back to me through my FFL dealer rather than directly to me via UPS. He explained that by using my FFL dealer we would finally create a ship date on the revolver and he could then issue a letter, he also let me know that Ruger would pay all FFL fee's and shipping and even called my dealer and took care of everything. This also allowed Ruger to clear up their records also.
October 7, 2015, Ruger shipped next day air insured for 2K to my dealer in my name. October 8,2015, dealer received gun from Ruger and I was surprised when I picked the gun up but I'll let the pictures tell that part.
October 9, 2015, David called to make sure I had the gun back and was happy, I told him that I was and he told me my Ruger letter's would go out this week. I thanked David and Linda for all their help in getting the gun lettered, and I could tell that David was very happy that he had been able to help me, we shared several interesting calls over this endeavor.
I wanted to share this with the forum just as it happened for every one to enjoy.
Terry
Ruger Proto-Type GP-100 #880-00009 with Ruger Letter,
Provenance,
Revolver & Goodie Package, note the two checks lower right, Ruger reimbursements for FFL fee and a refund of my $40.00 dollar check for the four hand gun letters,,
The Total Package! Revolver, new Ruger plastic case for a GP-100 with a Custom Printed end label, shipping carton, Ruger Letter and the very important shipping slip!! Remember when I started this request I only had the gun nothing else!!! :wink:
In my original post on a Ruger GP-100 Proto-Type, serial #880-00009 a forum member ask me to share the results of my request for a letter from Ruger, so here it is I think you will find it interesting.
If you did not read the first post, here's the link if your interested} http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=219341&p=2191635#p2191635
September 15, 2015, I finally got around to sending a request to Ruger Records for letters on four revolvers, one of which was for Proto-Type GP-100, serial #880-00009. I received a message on my phone from Linda at Ruger records on September 30, 2015, requesting me to check the serial number again on the GP-100 and to call her back and confirm it. I dug the gun out of the safe and had it in hand when I returned her call, I confirmed to her that #880-00009 was the correct serial number and that I was holding it as we spoke. There was a short pause before Linda said, "Ruger's records do not show that gun as ever leaving the factory", after a long pause on my end I gave Linda all the info on how I had acquired the revolver. She in formed me that with out a shipping date from Ruger to another FFL that she could not issue a letter, but told me she would talk to her boss and get back to me.
October 1, 2015, I received a message on my phone from Mr. David Olsen, Ruger Records requesting me to call him back concerning some questions he had on the Proto-Type GP-100. He left me his direct personal number. I returned David's call and described the revolver in great detail to him as he had no idea what it looked like, I told him "This revolver was where Ruger should have stopped with the GP-100" and we both chuckled. I then told him what I knew about the gun and how I came to acquire it in detail, he responded by saying he wanted to do some more research and that he would get back to me.
Later in the day David called me back and informed me that the records on this revolver were, "Rather Grey" and there was nothing showing that Ruger ever shipped the gun out. He then ask me if I would ship the gun to Ruger so they could inspect & verify that it was in fact a factory gun, we might then be able to get it lettered. I told David that my biggest concern was that when Ruger got the gun back, that I might not get it back!! his response was immediate "I guarantee you will get your gun back" I had come to trust David through our talks and agreed to ship the revolver to Ruger. David then ask me if I minded sharing with him what I paid for the revolver, I told him around $800.00 with shipping and FFL fees included, he was amazed and thought that that was a great deal, I told him that my max bid on the gun however was $1,500.00 which he agreed was in line, and then told me he was going to insure it for 2K.
October 2, 2015 Ruger had the UPS truck pick up the revolver at my home the next day and shipped next day air.
October 5, 2015, David called to say that he had received the gun chuckled and simply said "WOW"! It was apparent to me that David was impressed with the gun. Then he surprised me and ask me if I had noted the two piece grips on the gun I said no and then it dawned on me the grips them selves were proto-type's also! remember this gun was hand built in February 1985, the GP-100 came along in 1986. I gave David the ultimate collector's compliment, "good eye David" we both laughed.
David ask me if I would do him a favor and allow Ruger to ship my gun back to me through my FFL dealer rather than directly to me via UPS. He explained that by using my FFL dealer we would finally create a ship date on the revolver and he could then issue a letter, he also let me know that Ruger would pay all FFL fee's and shipping and even called my dealer and took care of everything. This also allowed Ruger to clear up their records also.
October 7, 2015, Ruger shipped next day air insured for 2K to my dealer in my name. October 8,2015, dealer received gun from Ruger and I was surprised when I picked the gun up but I'll let the pictures tell that part.
October 9, 2015, David called to make sure I had the gun back and was happy, I told him that I was and he told me my Ruger letter's would go out this week. I thanked David and Linda for all their help in getting the gun lettered, and I could tell that David was very happy that he had been able to help me, we shared several interesting calls over this endeavor.
I wanted to share this with the forum just as it happened for every one to enjoy.
Terry
Ruger Proto-Type GP-100 #880-00009 with Ruger Letter,
Provenance,
Revolver & Goodie Package, note the two checks lower right, Ruger reimbursements for FFL fee and a refund of my $40.00 dollar check for the four hand gun letters,,
The Total Package! Revolver, new Ruger plastic case for a GP-100 with a Custom Printed end label, shipping carton, Ruger Letter and the very important shipping slip!! Remember when I started this request I only had the gun nothing else!!! :wink: