To answer the OP's questions.
Each gun will get a separate letter. Each letter will cost $10.00. The form you fill out is very simple, and can have (6) guns per request on the page. Ruger asks for;
Firearm Type; (check one of 4 boxes,)
Model marked on Firearm, if any;
Serial number;
Caliber;
Additional features
When the letter is done, they currently give you the following; Model info; (such as BKH-36) The month & year it was built, the month & year it was shipped, and the location it was shipped to.
They occasionally list a few details if it's easily found in their information.
But I do disagree with gnappi where he says; "don't add a whit more interest or value to these guns," ! To collectors,, quite often, just defining the model can mean a LOT of difference in value. Example; If a person wants to buy a gun, such as an Old Model, .41 magnum Blackhawk, with a brass frame,, (these are quite rare,) the letter showing the model "BKH-41B" is MUCH more valuable than a "BKH-41". To a collector a BKH-41 is worth about $950.00 while a BKH-41B is worth about $5500.00.That makes a $10 letter worth about $4500.
Now I used an extreme example here,, but it proves a point. Sometimes the $10 letter can be well worth it.
I had a gentleman who came to the OGCA/ROCS show in 2022. He & I discussed his OM .357 that he said had a brass grip frame. I strongly suggested he get the $10 letter. In 2023,, he came back to the show, came directly to me, and showed me pictures of his gun AND his letter. It lettered as a brass framed gun, AND it was also a bit later that the current records we collectors have for them. The letter not only confirmed the gun shipped as a brass frame,, but added to the information base we collectors use to help folks with their guns.
Once you get the letter(s) if there is a gun that was a limited production run for a distributor,, sometimes we can find the details on that, and help a person know more about their guns. Ruger doesn't release production numbers,, but sometimes we've been able to get information from the distributors on some models as to how many they ordered. If a distributor,, say,, Lipsey's orders a run of a model of 500 guns. Ruger will often run a small percentage of guns beyond that number in case of a return, a defect or whatever. So there may be 550 of those guns built.
In short,, getting the $10 letter is often a good idea,, AND it does add a little to many of us even if the model isn't rare or collectable.
Correct
