Found in Pawn Shop - Have questions

[Ron101]

Found a .22lr Single Six (3-screw) in very bad shape at a pawn shop a few days ago. It was rusted up pretty bad on the outside, and I had no idea what the internals looked like, but the price was good and I wanted to see how well I could clean it up.

The revolver was not functioning correctly and after tearing it down, I was surprised to see that the internals looked very good, no rust at all and the bore is like new; the only thing wrong with it was that the hammer plunger was broken. Being the impatient person that I am, I made a "new" plunger out of a dowel pin using my trusty old Dremel, just to be certain that that was indeed the only problem. Put it in - and VOILA....everything works as it's supposed to. Have new plunger on order at this time.

Here are the questions that I have. First of all, it's either chrome or nickel-plated (my best guess is hard chrome because it seems to have a bluish and not yellowish tint to it). From the research I've done, it doesn't look like Ruger made these like that (unless I'm so lucky as to happen across one of those few chrome-plated collectibles that Ruger actually did put out (RugerForum.com :: View topic - Chrome Single Sixes). But - I'm never so lucky, so I really doubt that. I just got a call back from Ruger today, they state that they do not have any info on the gun except that it was sold Dec. 1954. They "do not have the original invoice on file" is about the only information they would give me.

It is a very low serial number, (9727) and I was wondering - after cleanup and eventual replacement with a Ruger hammer plunger, how much this thing is actually worth.

Also, if not an originally chrome-plated gun, would it be worthwhile to send in to Ruger to have replated? I talked with Ruger customer service department this morning about a possible re-finish and they could not give me an answer on whether they can refinish a "plated" gun.

If anyone has sent a firearm to Ruger to get re-plated, does anyone have any experience with having sent one in that has pitting? How good of a polishing job do they do to try and remove the pitting before being plated?

Also, do they give the original parts back? This one does not have the transfer bar safety, and from what I've read, if I ever did send this to them, they would automatically replace parts for the safety "upgrade".

Here's some pics of it. It cleaned up OK, looks far better than when I picked it up. But it does have quite a bit of pitting on the cylinder, on the end of the ejector housing and on the topstrap. If the plating that was done is not original, it was done very well; the adhesion is excellent, there is no flaking whatsever, just the blackened areas where the rust had eaten it's way into and pitted the metal.

And yes, I know the grips are in horrible condition; but that's easy enough to fix.

Appreciate any info you guys can give me on this - thanks in advance.

 

[flatgate]

My guess is that Ruger won't touch it unless you get it "stripped". Ask around your town for a "bumper chroming" shop. They might be able to "un-plate" the poor thing. Is that a 4 digit s/n I see? Ask Ruger if it was plated by them. Most unlikely, but, one never knows. I see "period correct" components, i.e. base pin latch, ejector button, skinny trigger. The grips would NOT have been installed by the Factory at time of production but they ARE the correct items that were listed in Ruger's catalog as "owner installed" accessories. NICE!

I have one, too, but it's in a wee bit better condition....

I found it at a Wyoming gun show and just had to have it.......
Of course it doesn't "letter" but it's fun to have.

flatgate

 

[Ron101]

My guess is that Ruger won't touch it unless you get it "stripped". Ask around your town for a "bumper chroming" shop. They might be able to "un-plate" the poor thing. Is that a 4 digit s/n I see? Ask Ruger if it was plated by them. Most unlikely, but, one never knows. I see "period correct" components, i.e. base pin latch, ejector button, skinny trigger. The grips would NOT have been installed by the Factory at time of production but they ARE the correct items that were listed in Ruger's catalog as "owner installed" accessories. NICE!

I have one, too, but it's in a wee bit better condition....

I found it at a Wyoming gun show and just had to have it.......
Of course it doesn't "letter" but it's fun to have.

flatgate

Yes, serial is #9727.....and Ruger stated that they could not give me any information on the plating.

 

[flatgate]

Ah, I reread your post and picked up the s/n...... sorry..... mine's 5023 and the plating is so thick that the gun is "stiff" and probably wouldn't fire...

Ruger did have a group, in the 15XXX s/n range, plated and used them as Display Items at several NRA shows back in the day. There are also a few others out there that will "letter" as being Factory plated (by sub-contractors).

 

[Ron101]

Thanks for that info. But I'd have no idea how to even start on trying to contact subcontractors to find out if this gun "letters". I'll just have to assume it was probably an aftermarket deal.

What would you Ruger experts recommend? Would it be worth it to get it stripped (and blued by Ruger)? Is it even worth anything in it's present state? Timing/lock-up are both good and I have fired a cylinder full without any problems (and with a self-made hammer-plunger ).

Do I beautify this or not, that's the question?

 

[Kevin]

My vote? Clean it up. Get it de-plated and re-blued. That top strap is just horrible looking. If you fix it up you will have a great gun with a great story to tell.

 

[hittman]

If it were mine, I'd seriously consider some new grips and shooting it "as is". You can't hurt it or wear it out.

However, if you want to make it pretty, you could contract with Ruger for a re-blue. You'll want to take out the original lockwork so they don't "convert" it for you.

Either way ~ good gun to find!

 

[rugerguy]

I'm with hittman, leave it be and use it, and that IS chrome plating by the way, and would cost way tooo much to get the job done even halfway decently............I've done MANY like yours, some even worse, but the time and money rules out any and all value....now never say never, you may have MORE money than me and the bank together, BUT I know the work involved in what you have there, and you will pass the point of deminishing returns.

Sorry there is NOTHING to research on this gun either, as NO factory or reputable firearms refinisher would have done that kind of work...this was done by somebodies "buddy" down at the bumper shop during their lunch break....AKA "goverment job...." :wink:

OR some back yard "gun plumber" got himself a plating setup for practice??
Practice on his old Ruger before going on to Colts or Smiths... 8)

you see more of this on old guns brought home after "the War" they captured on the field (many traded cigarettes for them ....)

 

[americal]

I like your RSS even in its present condition IF it were mine might buy a pair of Sack Peterson Elk horn grips who is a forum member With a old ruger bird emblem-- maybe take the ones out of your grips on the gun-- just an idea ---make a cool shooter.

 

[mattsbox99]

I say leave it as well...

It would easily be $400-$500 to have it stripped and reblued or re chromed anyway, and there is no way to truly hide the pitting without taking the surrounding metal down and that will show up in the reblue/rechrome anyway.

Enjoy it as is!

 

[Snake45]

I'm with hittman, leave it be and use it...

Me too. Put some new grips on it, shoot it and have fun with it.

 

[edlmann]

It would easily be $400-$500 to have it stripped and reblued or re chromed anyway, and there is no way to truly hide the pitting without taking the surrounding metal down and that will show up in the reblue/rechrome anyway.

The pits can be filled by welding, but this seems to be disproportionately expensive compared to the value of the pistol. BTW, it looks like someone chromed the pistol over the pits, and didn't get all the old rust out of the pits. Rust under plating = further rust.

 

[roylt]

I am not a revolver guy really but I think it has character and vote to keep it the way it is. I would like it in my small "collection" for sure.

 

[jimbo1096]

I'll also put my vote on the clean-up and keep like it is, with new grips of course. You can't hurt it in the condition it's in so shoot and enjoy. If you put enough money in it to 'beautify' it - you may never want to get it dirty again and you would for sure never never get your money back out of it.
Now you have a neat revolver and a story to pass on.
Glad you got the chance to rescue it.

 

[oregon73]

I think it is a GREAT find and if it were mine, I'd probably do nothing to it at all and use it as a paperweight, broken grip panel and all. Neat old Single Six!!!

Rob

 

[toysoldier]

Make it functional, put on some decent grips, and shoot the heck out of it. If it shoots straight, it might be good for some sucker bets. :wink:
Save your money for something worth fixing up.

 

[tazbigdog]

Depends on what you paid for it and what it is worth whether I would fix it up.

 

[Ron101]

Well, I'm going to spend a little more time cleaning it up. Might even throw the parts into a bucket of muriatic acid to see if I can get the plating off. I have been trying to polish the rusted/pitted areas down, but not much effect.

I did take a straight honing stone and was able to clean up the top strap pretty good though.

As for how much money I put into it.....I got it at the pawn shop for $35. Guess I really can't go wrong there.

PS - And yeah, it fires fine. Had it at the range and fired a cylinder's worth of rounds through it.

 

[gramps]

Oregon73 that is heresy!
Ron you only shot one cylinders worth. What gives? wasn't it accurate ? Nice find, and a good price.
gramps

 

[rugerguy]

for $35 you can do NO wrong.......................done well Sir

 

[harley]

I would give you 50$ for it as it sits now. For even that price it is worth sending to ruger to have it stripped and reblued and fixed up.

Life is too short to own a ugly gun

 

[rugerguy]

for $35 you can do NO wrong.......................done well Sir

 

[Ale-8(1)]

IMHO the only way you could go wrong would be to pour a buncha money into that thing.

As an interesting "shooter" it's a real bargain, however. I'd have likely bought it for $35, myself.

 

[44shootist]

Leave it as is , was just reading a article about this gun and it said records show about 118 of these made, and the reason they had them plated by Superior Tibon plating company across the street from Ruger was to solve a Blueing issue the story said the blueing came out a plumb red color so these guns were plated to cover it up.
And then another explaination was, it was a trail run found to cause interference with normal production so it was discontinued.
Either way it might be a rare gun don't mess it up trying to restore it.

 

[flatgate]

was just reading a article about this gun and it said records show about 118 of these made, and the reason they had them plated by Superior Tibon plating company across the street from Ruger was to solve a Blueing issue the story said the blueing came out a plumb red color so these guns were plated to cover it up.


Either way it is a rare gun don't mess it up trying to restore it.

I beg to differ. The revolvers "rushed" over to Superior plating were the small batch of Super Single-Sixes made in the '64/'65 era that exhibited that wonderful "plumb" color we collectors love.

The early Single-Six that's the subject of this thread is simply a "Bubba's Plating Shop" special, no more "rare and/or collectible" than the one I posted above.

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[tek4260]

$35 at a pawn shop? Heck, most pawn shops here want that much for a broken, China made, 1/2" wrench.

 

[44shootist]

The early Single-Six that's the subject of this thread is simply a "Bubba's Plating Shop" special, no more "rare and/or collectible" than the one I posted above.

JMHO,

flatgate[/quote]

I'm just saying what I read, writen by one of you 22 experts, sounds like Rugers record keeping was not to good back then, your right I re-read the artricle and it did say the super 6.

But we don't know that Bubba plated that gun in this post and it would be wise to research it better before trying to refinishing it.

Your just assuming Ruger didn't make the gun this way you need proof,
I have seen old Colts that look like his gun after being left in damp conditions.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

The proof lies in the fact that it's obvious that the plating was applied over a severely-rusted surface, and Bill Ruger would NEVER have shipped that gun in that condition.

This is one case where I feel I'm pretty safe in saying "never" with respect to Ruger.

 

[44shootist]

NO that's not proof, no body would plate a rusty gun, the gun rusted well after the plating, moisture gets under the plating rusts, and pops it loose, remember how the old chrome car bumpers use to do if they were not keep clean and waxed? I think the gun came new plated, show me Ruger records it did or did not that is proof.
Reseach on the facts needs to be done, we are all guessing here without doing that.
And from what I understand ruger didn't keep very good records in the early years.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

There's little guessing from those pictures.

I stand by my statement.

Believe what you like.