Just acquired - ‘62 RSSM

[BigPapa53]

I just bought this’62 RSSM at auction. It’s in as new condition and I think it’s not been fired except function testing at the factory. No wear, no fire rings on either cylinder, no powder residue inside when I opened it up. I just got signed up with RENE and I’m waiting on my package. Maybe some of the historians can tell me if it’s something special or just another RSSM. Unfortunately, no box.

These pics were taken before I cleaned it good.

 

[BigPapa53]

I was surprised at the mess inside when I took it apart. The metallic powder and what I think is old, dried up oil. No rust or powder residue. It cleaned up with a rag, some Rem Oil, and a soft toothbrush. Anyone seen one in this shape before?

The hammer screw is really rough. I ordered one from Numrich. Hopefully it will be better.

 

[hittman]

Maybe first time those innards seen light of day in 64 years.
RENE a good choice.
Those only made from 59 to 64 I think. Mine is from 1961.
Nice one to find!
Congrats!

 

[Johnnu2]

RSSM = Single Six two cyls...????
I gotta learn this Ruger speak... :-(

J.

 

[hittman]

You need RENE.
Secret codes there ….. in abundance.

 

[BigPapa53]

RSSM = Single Six two cyls...????
I gotta learn this Ruger speak... :-(

J.

Ruger’s catalog number, Ruger Single Six Magnum. I’m pretty sure it’s actually an RSSMX, which shipped with the .22LR cylinder, but can’t verify since Ruger’s not doing letters right now.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Nice piece.
Great cleanup.
Ya done good.

 

[rugerguy]

Welcome to the forum and you done good, nice piece, and we've seen a few like that with the powder residue , and was different each time some dried bluing salts, some maybe a dried moly lube, was told even a reaction of the aluminum and the anodizing residue, as you show how much is in the grip frame area, nice grips ,it could have shipped with them, never know, then it would be a RSSMW, not sure how they added whichever X and W, at the same time to the RSSM ( magnum and /or 6 1/2 inch barrel ) and your number puts it in the first run, of 1962 so would be a convertible, picture shows the serial number is stamped on the front of the cylinder , ( last three digits) very nice example and when you get the RENE you'll find out other details like the "eagle " rollmarked" on the barrel or not, and their serial number ranges ,all good info,,,sadly the lack of any letters right now doesn't help...as for the cleaning you done very good, we simply used mineral spirits, and soaked over night with the grips removed, kerosene worked as well....yes those old model action screws like you show the hammer screw were very rough, NOT finished , ( the head IS ) I think mainly because they would have then become undersized, cause hammer wobble....the cast parts were too close to the finish sized my guess......who knows that was a LONG time ago, and they still did a very good job with the castings of all their parts, crude, but good, and now today some are using MIM parts, ala S&W..........modern technology. still gotta love them old models though, enjoy it, you got a keeper......

 

[contender]

Good rescue!

Dates to 1962 per RENE.

 

[BigPapa53]

Forgot to post the barrel roll marks.

 

[Jim Walsh]

I’ve got serial number 63347. When I used the Ruger serial number lookup it said it was shipped in 2025…

 

[Mobuck]

That's some pretty nasty stuff coming out of what based on the comments is a very desirable handgun.

 

[Joey]

I have opened up a lot of guns in the last three years, never seen anything like that. As one poster said, probably first time its seen the light of day!
I think I would tear it all down and give it the oil bag treatment. Small parts in a bag blued parts in separate bags to prevent scratching. Then scrub the dickens out of it with soft brush and cotton swabs. Put a drop of oil on the wear points and reassemble. A beautiful gun. Love the grips! You got yourself a keeper!

 

[BigPapa53]

I have opened up a lot of guns in the last three years, never seen anything like that. As one poster said, probably first time its seen the light of day!
I think I would tear it all down and give it the oil bag treatment. Small parts in a bag blued parts in separate bags to prevent scratching. Then scrub the dickens out of it with soft brush and cotton swabs. Put a drop of oil on the wear points and reassemble. A beautiful gun. Love the grips! You got yourself a keeper!

Pretty much what I did. It's spotless now.

 

[Joey]

I’ve got serial number 63347. When I used the Ruger serial number lookup it said it was shipped in 2025…
View attachment 106072

I have an om .41 mag I sent in for a re-barrel. If I put in the serial # it pop's up the year it was sent in. Apparently 63347 was sent in for some reason and the system posts when it was returned. Serial # page shows it as manu in '57.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I’ve got serial number 63347. When I used the Ruger serial number lookup it said it was shipped in 2025…

Now that's interesting. Considering the fact that the gun appears new other than all the accumulated crap do we think it's possible that the gun was "lost in the system" from 1962 until 2025 and then shipped? Unlikely, but with Ruger ya never know.

Sure could use a call to Ruger. Couldn't hurt.

 

[Joey]

63347 is a different gun from what he just purchased. The new acquisition is 334016. Kind thru me at first as well, till I looked at the "new " one.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

63347 is a different gun from what he just purchased. The new acquisition is 334016. Kind thru me at first as well, till I looked at the "new " one.

Geeze, I missed the fact that there are two guns being discussed here. RSSM 334016 would indeed come from 1962.

Right about this time Ruger went to the XR3-RED grip frame from the older XR3. Also, some were shipped with the older "hard rubber" grips and others with walnuts. We see both in this period.

RSSM = .22 Mag only
RSSMX = .22 Mag/.22LR convertible
RSSMW= Walnut grips
RSSMR= Hard Rubber grips
RSSE= Engraved

RENE data

 

[contender]

Jim;
"I’ve got serial number 63347. When I used the Ruger serial number lookup it said it was shipped in 2025…"

Somehow either you looked it up wrong,, or I'd bet the website you looked at is wrong.

That serial number goes to a "Type 1 Roundgate made in 1957."

Per RENE Guide info.

 

[Jim Walsh]

Now that's interesting. Considering the fact that the gun appears new other than all the accumulated crap do we think it's possible that the gun was "lost in the system" from 1962 until 2025 and then shipped? Unlikely, but with Ruger ya never know.

Sure could use a call to Ruger. Couldn't hurt.

Definitely not shipped in 2025. I’ve had it for thirty years or so. Bought used and I believe it’s from the late fifties.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Definitely not shipped in 2025. I’ve had it for thirty years or so. Bought used and I believe it’s from the late fifties.

Yep. Got confused with the other gun. Ignore that post.

 

[Randyzzz]

That is some beautiful furniture! Really unique grain for a factory grip set. Excellent purchase!

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Here are some of its brothers. There are 5 different types in this pile. And all in excellent condition
Looks like you got a nice one.

 

[BigPapa53]

Got the new hammer screw in yesterday. I thought it would be a used screw, but it looks like a new one. There weren’t any threads cut in the red nylock. It was finished well, nice and smooth.

 

[contender]

Sweet!

 

[RC44Mag]

Nice pickup
The dried up whitish stuff looks like very old, dried up WWII Mil issue Lubriplate grease. I use it on my Garands.

 

[BigPapa53]

So, is it something special I need to stuff in the safe or just another RSSMX I need to shoot and enjoy?

 

[JAYDAWG]

Cool gun and nice score!
Enjoy it and shoot it........ why?
It's not rare.
Also, to make it valuable as a collectable, this gun would need to have the 22LR cylinder, original box, and the shipper box.
Even then, the premium would only be a few hundred dollars.
Rugers were made to shoot.
Enjoy!!
Cheers,
JAYDAWG

 

[BigPapa53]

I have both cylinders, no box.

 

[BigPapa53]

Got my RENE package today. What a rich resource. I believe this is my model. Y’all agree?