I need help!!!

[genstuart]

Just bought an old mark 1 (A-54)..
Problem I am having is.. their is a "D" before the 323,XXX serial number.
Ruger tells me they have never produced a mark 1 with any letters before the serial number
and if they take just the numbers... it appears to be approx 1965?
Does anyone have any info on the letter "D"
Or, why my gun would have it??

Any help would be appreciated

**Sorry cannot post pics..she is getting a tune-up**

 

[GasGuzzler]

I thought that meant it was a duplicate serial number.

You may get a better answer in the collector's area.

 

[rugerguy]

yes, you may want to do as noted above, I do recall the 'standard auto' (NOT a MK I ) having "D" (duplicate numbers) in the range you note around 1966, but the MK I "D" guns I thought were in the early #200000 range, a check with Chad and the RENE would anwser that for you..my wife used to collect those but sold all of them off, and she's not here right now ( yes, she still works !!)
Is your gun marked on the right side of the receiver "Mark I" ?? Adjustable sights could have been put on a 'standard' auto by someone.........

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
As Dan noted above, you may or may not have a MKI. Oftentimes, folks think a RST4 is a MKI. It's a Standard Auto. There is where some of the confusion may be.
The "D" as noted is used to mark guns with duplicate serial numbers, to tell the difference between the 2 guns.

 

[street]

What length barrel does it have? Point the gun as if you are going to shoot it and then look on the left side of the receiver and tell us what is stamped on it. This will tell us if you have a MK-I or a Standard Auto.

The RENE list Standard Autos with serial numbers from D323351 to D324283. Your gun seems to fall within that range, so it looks as if you may have a standard Auto and not a MK-I. Again look on the left side of the receiver with the gun pointing away from you and it should say "Ruger 22 Cal. Long Rifle Automatic Pistol". and not have "MARK I" added to that stamping. Let us know.

 

[chet15]

As Steet said, that is probably what you are looking at.
There are also plenty of Mark I (adj. sight) examples that have a "D" duplicate prefix or suffix to the serial number (the D200xxx, D315xxx, 315xxxD and D328xxx ranges come to mind).
If you are looking at getting a factory letter on your gun, Ruger will just need to dig a little deeper into their records.
Chet15