Aluminum Frame Flatgate Single Six?

[gmartinnc]

Is this for real?
http://www.armslist.com/posts/2069218/greenville-north-carolina-handguns-for-sale-trade--ruger-single-six-lightweight--tri-color---1950s-rare-1st-single-six-ruger-made

 

[DeletedMember58]

Yes

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, and many were made in four variations also some "seconds" shipped after production ceased, much later in the mid '60s.

These are called the 'tri-color' for obvious reasons and also had aluminum Martin hard-coated cylinders. I won't bore you with all the details but later versions were all blue with alum cylinders and then steel cylinders. The 'Tri-Color' I have is the same rare version that you referenced, only 500 IIRC made with round ejector knob and flatgate. I'd hardly call that one great condition but I've seen a lot worse! If it was 'great' shape, it would be worth 4 figures and more in original box.

Left side:
Top two are lightweights; 4th w/ steel cyl and 'Tri-Color" below it:

 

[SAJohn]

The May edition of the American Rifleman contains an excellent story on the history of the "light weights" by Don Findley.

 

[gmartinnc]

The May edition of the American Rifleman contains an excellent story on the history of the "light weights" by Don Findley.

Since I started getting the electronic version, I never read American Rifleman anymore. I honestly didn't know about these.

 

[rugerguy]

yessir, you could have gotten them in a "second"................





or an earlier 3 digit, not a "second" with the original 'Martin coated cylinder........




they're out there.............. 8)