10 inch 357 Flattop value

[Big Fred]

I've been offered a 10" flattop 357. I haven't seen the revolver yet, but will in the next few days. The seller described it as a 3.5 to 4 out of a possible 1 to 5, his description not mine. He says most of the wear is on the grip frame with a few marks on the grips. He said it has the Walnut grips, but does not know if they are original. The serial no. is 225xx.

I understand value cannot be determined by this description, but what range would you place it in to somewhat give me an idea?

Thanks for all help.

 

[RugerHound]

That SN sounds like a Type 3 with 6-groove rifling if it's as-shipped. They are pricey! A gun in 95% or better condition could bring 1700-2000 or more IF it's in as-shipped condition. (e.g. Not reblued or modified) If the wear is all in the grip frame & grips, that's a good thing since they are easily swapped out. If the gun has been modified or reblued along the way, that doesn't make it a bad piece, but the collector value will be significantly diminished.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

That's an early gun in the 10" series, likely shipped in July of 1959.

Good find.

:)

 

[chet15]

Big Fred, be sure to let us know the full serial number so we can add it to our 10" .357 database seen in this RF thread...

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=152132

Chet15

 

[Ale-8(1)]

^^ Yes, what he said! ^^

Please!

:) ;) :)

 

[Big Fred]

Thanks Guys for the replys. I will get to see this revolver tomorrow. If I purchase it I will then be able to provide the full serial no. for the database.

This all started because the seller had a Smith & Wesson pre mdl. 18 for sale and I was interested and we started talking and then he asked are you interested in... or maybe in... ect. And then the Ruger came up. I know a little about Smith & Wessons, my first passion, followed closely by Ruger 3 screws, but I'm not really up on Rugers that well.

Is there any thing I need to be looking for, for originality, when I see this Ruger tomorrow? I know what to look for concerning a re-blue, touch-up ect., and proper function. But what about possible parts changes such as; cylinder pin, base pin, ejector rod and housing, rear sight, ect. For reference to look at I have a 1956 357 Flattop and a 1957 44 Flattop that I believe are original.

Thank you for all your help.

 

[Big Fred]

chet15, I checked the link you provided and the serial number of this one would make a consecutive pair with one on your list. This adds more to the mystery of the Ruger.

I will provide the number if I purchase the revolver, but I don't feel right about providing it till it's mine.

Thanks

 

[chet15]

chet15, I checked the link you provided and the serial number of this one would make a consecutive pair with one on your list. This adds more to the mystery of the Ruger.

I will provide the number if I purchase the revolver, but I don't feel right about providing it till it's mine.

Thanks

Well...even if you don't purchase it we would like to know the sn for the sake of other collectors who have provided numbers. This information helps to provide a tiny piece of the puzzle as to how many 10" .357's were indeed made. This just helps the hobby out.
And...nobody knows who has it. And nobody knows who Big Fred is.
Also, if you don't buy it, I'm sure the guy with that consecutive number may very well be interested in finding a mate to their gun.
Chet15

 

[Big Fred]

chet15, I bought the revolver and the serial no. is: 22559.

The gun is somewhat as the seller described. The gripframe is only slightly marked on the edges, I was expecting much worse. The grips aren't bad at all only showing handeling useage, no finish wear and I believe original. The black eagles have no paint missing. The blueing is original and doesn't show much wear, only some slight edge wear and a slight cylinder turn ring probably because the owner didn't know how to handle the 3 screw action properly, but, and a big but, There are a few areas that show pin point pitting. I really don't think the old fellow that owned the revolver could see the pitting. One side of the end of the barrel, one area on the cylinder, the loading gate and it also shows a good amount of blueing loss, and one edge of the topstrap. Thankfully these areas are all somewhat small with the largest being maybe about a half inch. I think the revolver was stored in a holster causing the pitting. All it really needs is a good detail strip and clean, it sat for a long time and is dirty and dusty. All in all I'm very happy, especially with the price.

Thanks all

 

[Ale-8(1)]

And with that serial number it is now the lowest-numbered legitimate 10" gun on record on Bob's List!!!

Congratulations on a superb find.

And thanks for sharing it with us.

:) :) :)

 

[jimbo1096]

WOW!

 

[chet15]

Congrats Big Fred! With the number of guns known in that early serial number block, and how far apart those known guns are from each other, can you imagine that there are reasonably good odds that you may have the very first 10" .357 made??
Chet15

 

[Big Fred]

WOW. I never thought... I'm not usually this lucky.

I am going to sent a letter request to Ruger, I did call and the nice lady said she could not tell me anything because it was to old for her records and I would need to request a letter. What exactly will a letter tell me? I hope it states that it shipped with the 10" barrel. Does Ruger know the barrel lenght it shipped with and will they tell me in the letter?

I've never posted a picture anywhere and just recently bought my first digital camera. I want to take a few pictures and with some guidance try to post them for all of you to see. Can anyone advise me how to post pictures?

Thanks all

 

[Danjet500]

Try here.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=51390

 

[flatgate]

Way cool news! I'm stunned!

I've got one but it's nothing "special".

flatgate

 

[RugerHound]

FG - EVERYTHING you got is special! ;)

 

[RugerHound]

WOW. I never thought... I'm not usually this lucky.

I am going to sent a letter request to Ruger, I did call and the nice lady said she could not tell me anything because it was to old for her records and I would need to request a letter. What exactly will a letter tell me? I hope it states that it shipped with the 10" barrel. Does Ruger know the barrel lenght it shipped with and will they tell me in the letter?

I've never posted a picture anywhere and just recently bought my first digital camera. I want to take a few pictures and with some guidance try to post them for all of you to see. Can anyone advise me how to post pictures?

Thanks all

Congratulations ! Yes, they will tell you how it shipped in terms of model & barrel length and sometimes the grip type. A lot depends on what information is on the invoice.

 

[Big Fred]

Here's pictures if they work. I've spent over 2 hours trying to do this.

Wow, that's the first time I ever posted pictures. And the revolver looks better in the pictures. The graying on the grip frame doesn't show. And the little wavy line showing on the cylinder is not there, it must be my poor photography skills and cheap camera.

What do you guys think?

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Nice photos. A tripod would help with clarity.

Nice gun.

And it looks like you have some "contoured" walnut grip panels, too.

Great score!

:) :) :)

 

[Big Fred]

Ale-8, Ya know I have a tripod too. I use it for my Crony. I'll have to try it next time. Thanks for the tip.

 

[cellar701]

Nice! Ya done good!

I wouldn't let that grayed out grip frame bother me - some folks would take it as verification of vintage Ruger from that era.

 

[Big Fred]

Flatgate, That one is "special" for sure. It's BEAUTIFUL. I have a 1956 Flattop .357 with stags, although they are not factory but are from the period and are nicely aged.

 

[americal]

NICE flattop Fred any decent 10 " flattop is special 8) Glad you were able to get it..... :)

 

[Big Fred]

I recieved the letter from Ruger today and it states: serial no:22559 shipped July 1959, as a model BKH30.

The factory letter is nothing like a Smith & Wesson letter, but it does cost only $10 as a Smith letter is $50.

Thanks again for all help.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Congrats on receiving your letter.

It's good to know they are getting those out to us.

How long did it take from the time you sent in your request?

:)

 

[Big Fred]

It took about a month.

 

[flatgate]

Nice score! :shock:

You made a wise decision, that's FOR SURE!

flatgate