Medallions

[Switchblade]

I have searched the site and have not found much information about medallions. Does anyone have information on which medallions are correct for different years and models? I'm primarily interested in the old models but any information on them including the new models may also be of interest to other members.

 

[hittman]

Thread 'Ruger medallions'

Dec 9, 2012

Can someone show the differences in medallions. I see some described as "squashed chickens''
but I don't know the difference by sight.

• Acorn
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Ruger Single Action & Double Action Revolvers

Thread 'Subscribe to the Red Eagle News Exchange'

Jul 2, 2008

By popular demand, here is a sticky with info for subscribing to RENE.

What is RENE? The Red Eagle News Exchange (RENE) is a quarterly Ruger collector & enthusiast's newletter with the latest information on Ruger firearms, member articles, new Ruger variations & discoveries, selected recent auction results, classified ads & announcements, etc. New members also get a complimentary copy of the Reference of Ruger Firearms, which has a HUGE amount of detail on models, variations, production numbers, timelines, etc. Updates to the Reference are made every few years and...

• weaselmeatgravy
• Replies: 21
• Forum: Auction Links, Recurring Items, and Other Deals

• 

 

[contender]

Well, there can also be occasional confusion as to which medallions go with certain time frames. This was because as vendors changes or design changes happened,, there was an "overlapping" of types used.

Chad Hiddleson (RENE) also has an older book on the .22 Semi-autos, that has a lot of good info on medallions. The medallions were the same,, in general, for the auto's and the SA's.

But very basic info;
First ones,, recessed phoenix,, that was colored red. Silver outer perimeter. 1949 to early 1952. Semi's only.
Same shape,, phoenix color change to black. Neck shape considered "skinny."
Later on, the neck shape is a little "fatter."
1967 in general,, a medallion was used that has "neck feathers."
1972-ish,, the phoenix was changed. It became raised,, colored silver, and has the SR in the center. The recessed area is black.
And sue to vendors,, there is a difference in what appears to be a "squashed chickens" and a clear sharp phoenix.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Contender pretty well covered it.
There are how ever two different Red Eagle medallions variations, and there was a Gold SR Medallion on
a special run. I forget which model it was....but I know I have one,
Terry

 

[contender]

I tried to cover the main ones.

The gold colored ones,, The Red Label, had one. Then there are the smaller ones for the Bearcats.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I feel like a real moron....
The Gold medallions were on the Engraved 50th Anniversary New Model Flat Top. I just pulled one from a safe to check.
500 were made and were engraved by Master Engraver for Ruger Paul Lantuch. They were also used for the Super Blackhawk 50th
anniversary of Alaskan Statehood Commemorative revolvers, as well as the 20 New Model Engraved Flat Top's from the Studio of Art and Decoration.

Terry

 

[contender]

Dern Terry,,, I forgot about those.

 

[PapaDetail]

Posting some pics of medallions, along with a partial listing of part numbers. Sorry if my nomenclature is wrong. Had some loose medallions and others installed in grips, if I didn't have a loose one.

Got my hands on one of the gold background medallions and got it installed on a pair of Stack Peterson elk antler grips for a Bisley 32 H&R that I found.

Hope this provides some visual references.

 

[Switchblade]

Thank you to all that replied and added information and pictures.

 

[bstrongTO]

Would anyone know of gold medallions by Bob Evans in Ivory? Possibly on a Hawkeye?
Thanks

 

[contender]

An excellent pictorial of various medallions. However,, I think the pics of the "squashed chickens" ones aren't exactly what most of us call squashed chickens. And the only ones we call squashed are the ones with the SR in the center. I'll see if I can get a picture of a set.

 

[Gunny268]

Somebody once posted this and I thought I'd add it to this thread.

Not being one who really pays much homage to the archeological significance of Ruger Medallions, but...If this was a beauty contest...I'd have to vote on this example as the winner.

 

[PapaDetail]

That is the classic!

 

[Cholo]

Here's a decent pic of the squashed chicken on my 3 screw SBH. My cell phone doesn't like up close pics. Ruger could have done so much better. I have no idea why it looks like so much black is missing; it's not.

 

[PapaDetail]

My "Squished Chickens" may be a bit less squished, and while on Super Blackhawk Dragoon grips may likely be from NM guns.

I think that is what the difference is.

 

[contender]

Cholo has beat me to a picture.
In general,, the squashed ones have a very weak "SR" and the phoenix is less defined.

 

[Switchblade]

Thanks to all that replied lots of good information here!

 

[rovergland]

ok cool to know.

 

[rugerguy]

here are some pictures I got time to dig out after I got Momma up to bed......

 

[bstrongTO]

here are some pictures I got time to dig out after I got Momma up to bed......

awesome photo, It seems they filled out from 1950s to today, maybe to much Gumbo?
I prefer the 50’s, it’s sharp and crisp.

 

[rugerguy]

that "squashed chicken"(paraphrased by the late Bob Campbell by the way) was the last of the old models medallions, when they were getting ready to release the "new models" for 1973 and the vendor did a BAD job , literally "squashed" the eagle...

 

[Hondo44]

Yeah! They looked like they were surface ground after casting which gave them razor sharp edges on the bird shape and outer edge of the medallion. Therefore the chrome flashing began peeling and chipping off at the edges.