GP100 in a Red Box

[ColbyToll]

I traded for a never been fired GP100 6" barrel (likely soon to be for sale on here) a few months back and it came in a red plastic box. I had seen black and gray boxes before, but not the red. Does the red box have any significance? I tried looking around but I couldn't find anything. I'd have to double-check, but I believe from the serial number it looks like it was made toward the end of the 2009 run (if that means anything). Any input would be great.

 

[kel ruger man]

PROBABLY JUST A REPLACEMENT BOX FROM RUGER, THE ONLY RED ONE I HAD WAS A ANIVERSARY BOX FOR SINGLE 6

 

[wproct]

I've never seen the red box with a GP100, but just curious, the revolver appears to be a high gloss stainless steel finish in the picture. Is that true? Thanks

 

[ColbyToll]

kel ruger man - I don't think it is a replacement box. It looks like the one that originally came with the gun. It has the correct label with matching serial number.

wproct - The finish is just the standard stainless finish, not high gloss. It must be from the flash.

 

[GP100man]

Sometimes Ruger makes special presentations to people of intrest , wonder if that red box could mean special care ??

Most presentation models are a certian serial #.

 

[ColbyToll]

GP100man - Is there an easy way to find out what the special serial numbers are?

 

[steenroller]

I have seen some of the distributor specials come in different colored boxes. This may be one of those cases.

 

[Kanook]

Must be nice, all the red boxes around me only have stupid dvds in them

 

[GP100man]

No not really , sometimes it`s the 500th of a run or 1,000th a number of that nature .

Inttresting though !! & I like the red better than the drab gray !!

Anyone else have a red box ????

 

[Timbo22]

The only red boxes that I have are for the anniversary 357 and 44 Mag Blackhawks. I have seen the red box for the anniversary Mk 1 as well. I did see a 'left over' red box that was used for a regular blued 357 Blackhawk but it did not have the special Ruger wreath emblem that fit into an inlay on the top of the box. The red box is pretty though.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

The only red boxes that I have are for the anniversary 357 and 44 Mag Blackhawks. I have seen the red box for the anniversary Mk 1 as well. I did see a 'left over' red box that was used for a regular blued 357 Blackhawk but it did not have the special Ruger wreath emblem that fit into an inlay on the top of the box. The red box is pretty though.

Ruger had alot of extra Anni cases and just used them up. I've seen others also, Chet15 has also mentioned this before.

There have also been a few distributor specials that had different colored case's, black and green as well red come to mind.
Terry

 

[cjs1945]

My Mk II, Single Six and Blackhawk 50 th. Aniv. all came in red box so did my NRA-Bill Ruger Mk. II. SR9, 9c, 40 and 40c all cane in black boxes. SP101-22 came in gray box. LCR, LCP, LC9 Sr22p and SR1911 all came in cardboard box. It would have been nice if at least the 1911 would have came in a nicer or more significant box.

 

[ColbyToll]

I just got off the phone with Ruger and I was able to get some information, but not a lot. Apparently there isn’t any specific significance to this GP100 being in a red box. However, the guy did tell me to hang on to the box because the ones that are not the standard color are collectible and worth money. When I told him that the GP100 that came in the box is still unfired he seemed to think that it would add value to the package. Now I just have to decide whether or not to keep it since I already have another GP100. I’ll probably throw it on here and see if anyone is interested.

 

[Sugar River]

A pic of the end label might answer a lot of questions.

 

[ColbyToll]

Here you go. Does this tell you anything?

 

[NormH3]

Must be nice, all the red boxes around me only have stupid dvds in them

Now that's funny right thar

 

[chet15]

First one I've seen. Its neat, but I have no idea how somebody (especially somebody at the factory) can say to hold on to it as it will be worth a lot of $. Not that this won't, but how can the laws of supply and demand for such an item occur if nobody knows about them? Like the other example I heard about recently with somebody saying the early Mark II .22 pistol magazines are worth a lot of $ because they are made differently. Really?
I guess since we've seen pictures of it now, we can see if there are any others out there like it.
Chet15

 

[chet15]

No not really , sometimes it`s the 500th of a run or 1,000th a number of that nature .

Need specifics on this because I'm not aware of it. All of Ruger's 50th Anniversary guns were allin red boxes. And when they ran out of 50th Anniversary guns to put in them (i.e. 50th Anniversary .44 flattop), they put whatever model they had in them just to use them up.
But I am not aware of any 500th serial number or 1,000th serial number of a particular gun having this done to it. Standard models get standard boxes, and when there are extras they go out the door however they can be used up.
So maybe the box manufacturer made a run of GP100 boxes in the wrong color. Or maybe Ruger had intentions of doing a special GP100 model and then gave up on the idea.
Ruger did do a special run of matte finish Mark II's model MK6 as well as a special P89 model for Western Hoegee in the late 1980's that had red boxes, but again these were for the whole production runs.
Chet15

 

[ColbyToll]

The guy from Ruger didn't say that it was worth A LOT of money. He had said to hold onto the box because they are collectible and people will pay extra for the ones that aren't as common. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to sell this GP100 and it doesn't really make sense to me to hold the matching box hostage simply because it is red. Maybe it will be a little perk that might nudge someone to buy it, but I don't think it would make someone overpay greatly for the gun just to get the box.