RSS 1959 Manual Variations?

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deserttrans

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Need some help on the different variations of the 1959 Single Six manuals. I thought there was three or more. Also some more valuable than the rest. Help and comments are appreciated.
 

contender

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Unless I'm wrong,,, there are 4 variations of this owners manual. One is just dated on the front, and the other 3 have date codes on the back or inside. I just can't lay my hands on mine at the moment, or I'd give you better details.
 

deserttrans

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Thanks contender. What you posted does ring a bell in this ole head. I remember the date on the front only one. I thought the others had some different dates or codes on the back.
 

contender

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I stand corrected. In 1959,, there is a manual dated on the front "Revised 8/1/59."
I was thinking of the "Combined Instructions & Parts list for Ruger Revolvers" which lists the Single-Six, the Single-Six Lightweight, the .357 Blackhawk, & the .44 magnum Blackhawk. That manual has 4 different ones that appear the same. All of those have; "Revised March 31, 1957" on the cover. However, there are 4 different dates. One, has no extra date, the other 3 have date codes on the back. They are; 10/57, 9/58, & 2/59.

If you are looking at that manual, then as I first said,,, there are 4 different ones.
 

street

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Looking at Dougans Book he shows Instruction sheet dated "REVISED MARCH 31, 1957" as being in use from March 1957 to August 1959. The next Instruction sheet is dated "REVISED 8/1/1959" which as in use from August 1959 through 1963. As for any variation of these he doesn't show.
 

chet15

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There are several different dated 1959 Single-Six manuals. The first are of course dated 8-59. I don't have my notes in front of me right now so my months might be off but there is a 3/61 and I think the other is a 7/63.
These code dates are found on the back or inside of the manual.
Chet15
 

deserttrans

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Thanks Chet, three that I have are 8/1/59 with these codes on the back RP-10M-3-61 and
G 20m9-63. I have the one that is just 8/1/59 and no codes on the back. I am trying to arrange complete packages for RSSM, RSSMX and RSS5X and RSS4X. Just trying to get the right manual, warranty card and hang tags to correspond with the serial numbers and ship dates.

ie. No later manuals, cards and tags matched with earlier revolvers. Manuals are my only hold up at this time. Thanks to everyone again.

Ron
 

chet15

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Found my notes...
There are five different 1959 Single-Six manuals....
1. Revised 8/1/59 with RP-20M-8-59 on the back
2. same, with RP-10M-3-61 on the back
3. same, with G-5M 7/63 on the back
4. same, with G20m 9-63 on the back (this rare one is a must for anybody who has an "S" Lightweight).
and #5....a lot of you won't know this one....is a four choice manual with "Revised March 31,1957" on the front and RP-20M-2-59 on the back.
Chet15
 

street

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Hashknife Hartley said:
I've got one of the four choice ones with RP-20M-2-59 on the back, are they rare or something and what did they originally come with?
HH
It looks as if it was made for all Single-Sixes made from Aug. 1959 to March 1961. Which is a 1 1/2 year total production for Single-Sixes. I would say somewhere around 33000 to 34000 thousand Single-Sixes made in that period.
 

chet15

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Yes, as Street said.
And I can add that if you have one of the earliest production 4-5/8" or 9-1/2" Single-Sixes, early 7-1/2" or 10" .44 or early 6-1/2" or 10" .357, then you need that manual with those guns!!
Chet15
 

chet15

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Well...to at least 8/1/59, which is the next known date.
Chances are the 2/59 manual may have carried into August 1959 a little bit, but no way to prove unless somebody reports actual examples.
Personally, I wouldn't go into August 1959 with a 2/59 manual.
Ruger had a reason for reprinting their instruction manuals, and when something new had to be put in those for a new printing, the remainder of the old printing may have went to the burn barrel (I can see price increases on parts being one such scenario for this).
Chet15
 

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