Another interesting Mk-2

[fredrx]

This pistol was recntly sold at Cowan's auction:

SN 210-71771. Stamped "United States Property". Sold for $920. Factory says it went to a distributor -- not a gov't agency. Purchased by some gov agency on the open market for test/eval perhaps?

 

[Snake45]

We had MK Is for match shooting in the USAF. IIRC they were marked US PROPERTY or UNITED STATES PROPERTY much as this MK II is.

My guess would be that this one is a contract over-run, or one from a cancelled contract or order, that Ruger then put in its normal distribution channels. I've heard of such things happening from time to time.

 

[1gunsnotenough]

Just wished it was mine.

 

[RPM Enterprises]

I would guess the gov. agency stamped it not the ruger factory. I have a RST4 that has U.S. stamped above the serial number and on the top of the receiver it has the flaming bomb (what ever you may call it) arsenal stamp. Same thing I think it was done after the fact.

 

[chet15]

I would guess the gov. agency stamped it not the ruger factory. I have a RST4 that has U.S. stamped above the serial number and on the top of the receiver it has the flaming bomb (what ever you may call it) arsenal stamp. Same thing I think it was done after the fact.

Yes, kind of a "pseudo-collectible" because it didn't leave the factory that way. So, rarity/value would be in the eye of the beholder.
With all those MK-678G's made in the mid-1980's, it is surprising that the govt would need to purchase more guns...and off the secondary market at that.
I think one also has to beware of guns marked like this. There are "unscrupulous" fellas known to have the actual stamps to do this work, and anyway, it wouldn't take much for somebody to have one made.
Would be tough for me anyway to pay much of a premium for something that could possibly be faked.
Chet15

 

[bigbore45colt]

Ran across a US marked RST4 today, s/n D323XXX. Parkerized with the flaming bomb on top of the frame and "U.S." above the s/n.

I will call Ruger on it on Monday and find out what they say. I thought it interesting that it was a D gun and one in the RST s/n range, not the Target s/n range...

BB45C

 

[fredrx]

Ran across a US marked RST4 today, s/n D323XXX. Parkerized with the flaming bomb on top of the frame and "U.S." above the s/n.

I will call Ruger on it on Monday and find out what they say. I thought it interesting that it was a D gun and one in the RST s/n range, not the Target s/n range...

BB45C

Matt - Does it have fixed or target sights?

 

[bigbore45colt]

Fixed sights...it definitely looked like an RST4.

BB45C

 

[rugerguy]

make sure the receiver is NOT marked 'Mark I:" as years ago, Bannermans had a bunch of them , took the target barrels off and put on standard auto barrels and sights, others came in had the barrel 'stubs' threaded for silencers and were sold as military surplus, again, the barrels & sights were changed by the distributor...back then we never paid attention and just sold off the "parts"..........some were blued, and some were parkerized also.....some 'US" marked and some NOT.......AH yes, those were the days of the $17.50 German Lugers, sold on the back pages of comic books and match book covers...nice find Matt interesting to see how they report it........

 

[bigbore45colt]

Dan - Nope, not marked Mark I...straight up RST4..??

BB45C

 

[chet15]

The D323xxx range is "Standard" auto all the way...and the only "D" guns known in that range are 4-3/4" barrels.
Sounds goofy to me...the military purchasing Standard autos off the secondary market for use for ??? To each his own I guess, but I'm still thinking "BUYER BEWARE". Seems to be more of these showing up recently, and not in years past. ??? :roll: ??? I just hope these aren't a product of the almighty dollar.
Chet15

 

[radicalrod]

I have an early RE MKI with a small US marked on top.....KOOL but can't get much info on it......see ya RR