Collecting ?

[1gunsnotenough]

So I've been thinning the heard on a few of my multiples. My question is. What would you put more value in a three digit consecutive set or a single two digit gun. All NIB. Not money value but just collecting desirability.

 

[hittman]

Toss up

 

[TATERARK]

Keep all three!

 

[chilidog]

I would probably prefer the two digit.

 

[arcticruger]

Call me crazy, but in general, for non-prefix guns I'd prefer the two digit. With the prefix serials, I'd prefer the three digit consecutive sets.

 

[contender]

From a collecting viewpoint,, both have their merits. In my mind,, equal values.
If,,, for some catastrophic reason I had to part with one or the other,, I'd decide based upon my plans for doing a display & how one or the other would "fit" in it.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

It would depend on the specific guns in question.

 

[KWend54]

Two digit if it is a non prefix!

 

[thinckley]

a non-prefix, 3 digit, consecutive set would be worth more to me IMHO, again depending on the gun. As much as 10% per gun.

 

[1gunsnotenough]

Basically all the answers are pretty much what I've thought. I've been collecting MKII .22s for years. And have most of the models with several multiples. Majority NIB. To the point not a whole lot to search for. Not to much gets me excited anymore unless I run into a very low serial number and that doesn't happen to often. The ones I questioned are the USST MKIIs. I have a single digit, a two digit and a consecutive three digit set. So I guess pretty much out of boredom I was thinking of moving some. But with your responses and the more I think about it. It would be very difficult to replace them. So I guess I'll hold on to them.

 

[thinckley]

So I guess I'll hold on to them.

That's just plain greedy! :ROFLMAO:

Don't blame you at all.

 

[KWend54]

I will get tarred and feathered for this ….but I live in realville (like Rush Limbaugh use to say lol) ! I know collectors, shooters, writers and Ruger experts don’t consider the prefix after 1968 on a one, two, three digit and call it a two, three digit serial number even with a prefix! I don’t…… lol, to me a one digit is 0004, or two digit 0045… etc! I know I’ll get hate mail, but to me after 1968 it was no longer possible to get a single, double or three digit gun…. darn prefix!
okay … let me have it lol

 

[larry8]

Personally, I don't care what the s/n is. If i like the gun and have a purpose for having it, Ill buy it and add it to my collection.

 

[contender]

KWend54,, you actually have a point if it is discussing models built prior to 1968 that continued until 1973.

But with the introduction of various models AFTER the 1968 GCA requirement of a different serial numbering by Ruger, it's possible to have a 1 digit or 2 digit or 3 digit prefix gun. A good example would be a Vaquero. All Vaquero's are New models, made after 1973, so they have a prefix.
So,, it actually depends upon the models.

As for the collecting of stuff,, and it getting harder & harder to get excited,, not uncommon. Once you get all or nearly all the variations of something,, you can easily get bored. Hard to find items can drive you crazy looking for them.
I choose to expand my thought process to prevent boredom by looking at adding to the existing ones by looking for consecutive numbers,, or special guns owned by important or famous people.

 

[thinckley]

adding to the existing ones by looking for consecutive numbers,

I check every single OM Blackhawk for sale for those consecutive numbers. ;)

 

[Ale-8(1)]

But with the introduction of various models AFTER the 1968 GCA requirement of a different serial numbering by Ruger, it's possible to have a 1 digit or 2 digit or 3 digit prefix gun. A good example would be a Vaquero. All Vaquero's are New models, made after 1973, so they have a prefix.
So,, it actually depends upon the models.

Excellent, excellent comment.

Only point I'd add is that when a new model such as the Vaquero is released with a new prefix number and that prefix number becomes completely filled requiring another "new" prefix, the serial numbers that begin that prefix listing are not actual collectible "single digits". Only those numbers from the initial prefix should be considered s special numbers. JMHO for sure. ;)

 

[twriggen]

Sometimes it doesn't matter if it's a new prefix when you are fixated on a number. Is it worth more? Definitely not, except to me.

 

[KWend54]

Understand what you’re saying…. but, to me if it has a prefix then it can be a one, two or three digit gun! Look at the number…. I see way more than two digits even if the last two are 10! But that’s just me

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Sometimes it doesn't matter if it's a new prefix when you are fixated on a number. Is it worth more? Definitely not, except to me.

View attachment 54459

AHHHHHHHHHH Yes memories of Flatgate/Carl and the 100s ;)

 

[Armybrat]

My brother, a retired bean counter, really was amused to see the serial number on my little Kahr CT380… (1099)

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Sometimes it doesn't matter if it's a new prefix when you are fixated on a number. Is it worth more? Definitely not, except to me.

Absolutely true. All depends on one's specific interest. In the case of 31-00100 we might assume there is a "matching" 30-00100 to search for in the Old Models in addition to just plain #100 at the beginning of the series, and also likely -00100 pieces in the following New Model series 32- 33- etc prefix groups. One could also go after all the "100" pieces in all the other gun models. Just depends on one's desires. ;)

 

[arcticruger]

All that matters is there’s something for everyone. After all there are only so many non-prefix two digits out there. The prefix two digits are as close as most will ever get to a two digit Ruger. And some of them can be pretty cool.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

This post got me to thinking A BAD THING.
Does anybody remember what happened to the pictures that were posted of the 100 S/N guns that the RF members bought for Carl????
They were in a header on one of the forms

 

[Ale-8(1)]

First link I could find . . .

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/serial-100.307027/
SEE BELOW

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Next link . . .

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/ruger-packing-slips-for-serial-100-guns.315839/
SEE BELOW

 

[Ale-8(1)]

And here we go . . .

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/serial-number-100-guns-have-arrived-image-heavy-post.61227/
THINK A MOD SHOULD LOCK THAT THREAD TO PROTECT IT??

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Ale,
Thank you sooooooooooo much. Brings back memories and post of great RF members.

 

[contender]

I read over all the old posts from when many of us got together & gifted Carl with that collection of guns. Looking at the forum names,, I see too many of those folks who helped in this are no longer with us.

But,, it truly shows the respect & friendship many of us felt with Carl. Thanks for bringing it back up.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Not my thing.
I do have a model 60 Marlin that starts with 123456 ...