Bearcat Question

[rceeod]

Thanks to all of you again for a great forum. I spent many hours this last weekend reading many of the forums.

One subject I didn't see was the use of Serial Numbers on parts in Ruger revolvers.

My 1961 vintage OM Bearcat has the serial number stamped on the inside surface of the trigger guard. Are all Bearcats marked this way? Was this a practice used only on Bearcats? My Sigle Six and OM Blackhawk are not marked like this,

Any other revolvers that had multiple locations for serial numbers?

Thanks for the info.

 

[Richbaker]

Convertibles have the last 3 digits engraved or stamped on the Magnum cylinder...

 

[flatgate]

Yes, the Old Model Bearcats had the trigger guard "match polished" to the receiver assembly prior to being anodized. They were "numbered" to the receiver so they could be mated after anodizing.

I've not removed a trigger guard off of one of my New Bearcats but would assume they are also numbered.....

Current production Ruger's with carbon steel grip frames also have the last three digits of the serial number "scratched" on them so they can be assembled properly after bluing.

Thank You for the kind words about our forum. We have a great group of Members and they are "what make the Forum what it is!"

flatgate

 

[rugerguy]

Flatgate is correct as to the trigger guard being numbered to the frame (gun) for the old models, but this "match polish" was done on the steel ones (Supers) from what we recall, and were told many years ago, as the trigger guards we've had and replaced at the shop years ago, came 'anodized (brass/gold) from the fatory, NOT numbered, and had to be "fit" internally to replace any broken or damaged ones we worked on.......NO, we did NOT "renumber" this part to the gun, no need to back then, only if parts were to be "blued" then, these would be marked to "keep alll the same guns' parts togther, and onot mix them up with others, didn't make any differnce for screws and springs, ONLY the "fitted" parts......frames, barrels cylinders,loading gates...............bottom line it goes against the principles of any successful bluing operation, to NOT polish unlike metals ( materials) in this case aluminum, and steel at the same time, causes problems in the polishing wheels, and carries over to the bluing tanks, will contaminate and RUIN a bluing salt solution (bath) the castings came close enough to the finished 'fit' for the most part, yes, I'd venture the first bearcats may have been polished (filed) to "fit' inthe begiing but as we can see, there was LOTS of issues with the finish both in bluing, as well as anodizing of the early Rugers,look at at ANY early 'aluminum parts' as well as their 'casting materials', thats when we got into talks with various plant managers back then, as we were tring to refinsh Rugers ( as well as other makes and models) in our business then...called Cleveland Bluing Company..............

 

[chet15]

 

[rugerguy]

Gee, "parts bins........" (JD< can you see them.....?)


too bad the black and white photo does NOT proove the guards are either "anodized ' already , nor numbered..............the ones on the right are lighter colored,but a few are darker.....primitive photography & bad lighting........
we were told years ago, by the plant mgr (Mr Howe) they were anodized, when I asked for Jeff M back then................and ours came from the parts department, anodized and un-numbered...............