BKH3 Instructions & part list manual question?

[tommygun]

Since the 2 digit BKH3's were shipped in 1957, is it safe to assume that they shipped with a March ,1957 manual?

 

[mike722]

from what I have seen, they put the current manual in the box when it left the factory..so, if it shipped in say, May 57, it would have the March 57 4-choice manual

 

[jussbad]

from what I have seen, they put the current manual in the box when it left the factory..so, if it shipped in say, May 57, it would have the March 57 4-choice manual

Then there are the 4 choice manuals revision dates to deal with.

 

[mike722]

Thanks GW, forgot about that..about 3 revisions..

 

[tommygun]

Ok, a bit confused here! So does the revision correspond with the ship date in 1957. As far as I am aware there is only one manual used from march 1957 until the 59 manual was introduced.

 

[jussbad]

If you have a couple of 57 manuals flip them over and see the small print at the bottom. One of them most likely has a revision date and some letters printed on there as well.

 

[tommygun]

A new wrinkle! Thanks GW, I knew there was a reason I bought all those manuals from you a while back. I have 4 revision dates 3/57, 10/57, 9/58 and 2/59. I wonder if that is all of them? Sooo, that would indicate for example that guns shipped in January and February of 59 would have had 57 manuals????? Well, I just looked at four 1959 manuals and they are all dated 9/59. So guns shipped before September, 1959 would have had 57 manuals? Hmmm!

 

[jussbad]

I'll check my stash and get the dates/revisions... and post what I have.

 

[mike722]

I have one with a 4/58 revision...

 

[tommygun]

I guess to a certian extent we are splitting hairs. Probably can't insure which manual was actually shipped other than if the gun was shipped before the revision date?

 

[jussbad]

I have the following:

Several with no revision date &
RP-20M-2-59
ISR-20-M-4/58
ISR-20-M-10/57

 

[Ale-8(1)]

As frugal as WBR was, I'd guess they included whatever manual was available at the time of shipping, regardless of the revision date.

JMHO . . . I could be wrong.

 

[street]

There is also another manual, dated 9-1-56!!! It looks like the March 31, 1957 manual on the front page except for the date. It is used for all revolvers shipped from 9-1-56 to 3-31-57. Dougans latest book shows this on page 307, he said it is to be considered rare!!! :wink:

 

[tommygun]

So we have 3/57, 10/57, 4/58, 9/58, and 2/59. I have not looked closely but why so many revisions?

 

[jussbad]

So we have 3/57, 10/57, 4/58, 9/58, and 2/59. I have not looked closely but why so many revisions?

So we can engage in these discussions 56 years later. :wink:

 

[tommygun]

Sad isn't! Actually it is this kind of stuff that keeps it interesting for collectors eh? I smell a display that includes all the "known" revisions!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

So we have 3/57, 10/57, 4/58, 9/58, and 2/59. I have not looked closely but why so many revisions?

So we can engage in these discussions 56 years later. :wink:

Good question, though.

With these "new editions" coming so close on each other's heels, one wonders if there's really any actual difference in content.

Any commentary from those who have seen them all?

:?:

 

[tommygun]

I just looked at 3 of them and the only change that I see is the revision letters and date????

 

[street]

So we have 3/57, 10/57, 4/58, 9/58, and 2/59. I have not looked closely but why so many revisions?

Also as I stated above any gun shipped from 1-1-1957 to 3-30-1957 will have the manual dated 9-1-1956. As for why so many revision?? I think when there is a price change, of physical change to a part or a new model or any kind of a change, maybe even a change in the printer that supplies the manual. Ruger will make new revision. :roll: :roll: :roll: With Ruger you never know!!!

 

[tommygun]

Street, I have a couple 1956 manuals. So now my new project is matching up the right manuals with the ship dates in my collection. Has been very interesting!

 

[chet15]

So we have 3/57, 10/57, 4/58, 9/58, and 2/59. I have not looked closely but why so many revisions?

There were revisions because of two things...either something was changed on the inside or Ruger had to make another print run. No sense making 100,000 instruction manuals if you only sell 5,000 guns.
So basically, the best you can do when putting an instruction manual with a gun is to use what date or revision date would be current with when your gun was shipped...and that is the best you can do.
But its not a tell-all of what Ruger did. Our 91-00050 and 91-00051 Super Bearcats have 9/69 "Bearcat" manuals with them.
Chet15

 

[street]

Chad! You know Ruger!!! He is not going to waste anything. He had them left over and he used them. :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[rugerguy]

no, its quite obvious that when they ran out of manuals on Feb 28,1957, then Sept 30,1957, and Mar 31,1958, and Aug 31,1958 and finally Jan 31,1959, they had to get them 'reprinted' and the print shop dated them per usual,until they "revised" them later on......and on.....and on and had to REALLY Make a change, part number wise or price wise 8) :roll: :wink:

hey , its got YOU guys 'thinking'.........