Need Advice on Old Model Super Single Six Serial Number

[Jonny]

Hello, I'm new to the forum today and need some help already! I am looking at a Super Single Six on Gun Broker that is presented as a "Old Model, Pre-warning" gun, with the serial number 60-58696. I went to the Ruger serial number lookup and no luck. I am not a collector and just want to "replace" a Single Six with sentimental value I lost in a fire years ago. This number doesn't look right to me compared old model serial numbers I have seen in other listings and the numbers shown on the serial number/year page on the Ruger site.

This gun supposedly has the original box and manuals, and from the pictures looks almost NIB but is not listed as such and the box also looks too good for the age. I have been watching other listings and this one looks "too good to be true", but it is listed by a reputable dealer with good reviews. I am skeptical because with only one day left, there are only 7 bids and a high bid of $301.01. Bidding on similar models I have seen had much higher bids at this stage in the process. I expect the bids to ramp up if this is a legit SIngle Six. Since I am not experienced in this arena, I don't want to stumble into an expensive mistake and would greatly appreciate any advice anyone can give me before I enter the bidding on this item. Thanks!!

 

[G2]

That gun is from 1971.
Guns that were built after the 1968 GCA had to have a determined Serial Number, thus Ruger went with Prefix to determine.
Prefix 60 is for a Super Single Six

I was perusing GB this morning and came across that auction. That does look like a nice package. When shippers are present the "inside box" can be really nice.
Interesting that the auction is a Re-List. ???
I added it to my watch list .
No idea why it didn't get traction the first time.
You should read my comments on another thread on this forum and bid.

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/ruger-single-six.316858/
There are pristine packages like this out there, and it would be interesting to hear the story, but usually don't get that.
You will see what I think that is worth,,, and it will be interesting to see what it go's for.

Hope you score it, that right grip panel is a looker. The Grip medallions are what was call Squashed, very typical of later 1971- the end of the old models.
Your situation of re-placement, that would be a home run in my opinion. Maybe a few bucks more but where can one buy a NIB 1971 Super Single Six.

Welcome to the Ruger Enablers Forum. Report back if you score it, and those are some nice pictures so I would screen shot them.

 

[hittman]

G2 nailed it …. Saved me the time!

 

[Jonny]

Thanks very much for the information, I really appreciate it. 1971 is the year my wife bought me this same exact Ruger as a gift shortly after we got married and money was more than tight. It was my first and only handgun for many years. Unfortunately, it was in a fire in our apartment in 1980. I stupidly sent it back to Ruger to get an estimate on repairing and refinishing it, but they said it was unsafe to shoot and kept it! I have been looking for a similar pre-73 for years, but none were exact duplicates or had been transfer bar modified ( I am asking the seller if this one has been modified). While this isn't the original gun, it would help to bring back some of the great memories I had with it in the woods and fields over the years.
I will take a shot at it and see what happens. I have no experience in this type of transaction but if I am fortunate enough to get it, I will post my good luck.
Thanks again for your help.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum Jonny!!!

You have been given good info above. Good luck in getting it!

 

[rugerguy]

too bad about the fire and kindof surprised they did not offer you, an "upgrade", pay a few dollars and get a newer one, let alone how did the insurance company cover it??? hhhmm we refinished ,rebuilt, restored many firearms damaged in fire when we had our shops back in the 70-s and 80s...I even did a few for "passed members" here on the Forum years back, Dan M., from AZ. comes to mind, his old 357 mag flatop was a goner.......... :unsure: :cool:;)

 

[Jonny]

Hindsight is always perfect, but I should have just taken it to a reputable local gunsmith first.

They did offer me a new one at what was supposed to be a discount but it was no significant break. Since it was so long ago, I forget the exact numbers but it wasn't much cheaper than a new one at a gun shop. They did return the original grips which I asked for, they are slightly charred but weren't burned off. I wanted something to remember my trusty hunting and hiking partner.
We were renting a place and all I had was a small renter's policy and the NRA insurance which wasn't much, like maybe $300. All we had left were the clothes on our back (and three small kids) so there was nothing left over to buy guns. I did have the NRA insurance but it was something like $300 or so as I recall. I lost all my guns, worst of all the guns I grew up hunting and shooting with, father and grandfather's guns, etc. that I would give anything to have back. Hard times, but like everything else, they fade away in time and you come out stronger for it.
I won that Gun Broker auction for the 1971 old model yesterday. My sincere thanks to the nice folks here on the forum who gave me the information I needed to make the decision to bid it up. Don't have it yet, should get it by the end of the week. Emailed the seller twice about the transfer bar conversion, they never responded but I went for it anyway. Going to assume it was converted so I'm not disappointed.

Thanks again to my fellow Ruger fans on the forum for the good advice for my first Gun Broker purchase!

 

[G2]

jmn, Jonny ,,, I figured that was you! ,,, it was good to see who the winner was this morning, and now good to hear your confirmation.
It does not have the tail tail signs of being converted. Looking at picture #9/26 the side of the hammer appeared to have a little rust, nothing to worry about, just like new vintage.
GOOD BUY on a GREAT GUN/PACKAGE.

Again I would snag those pictures they are good ones.

Congratulations!!!

 

[Threespears]

Welcome from Wydaho

 

[Johnnu2]

CONGRATS and welcome to a great forum with great people...

J.

 

[Jonny]

jmn, Jonny ,,, I figured that was you! ,,, it was good to see who the winner was this morning, and now good to hear your confirmation.
It does not have the tail tail signs of being converted. Looking at picture #9/26 the side of the hammer appeared to have a little rust, nothing to worry about, just like new vintage.
GOOD BUY on a GREAT GUN/PACKAGE.

Again I would snag those pictures they are good ones.

Congratulations!!!
View attachment 52259

Thanks, got my fingers crossed on the conversion. Will let you know. I was ready to go as high as $700 on it, surprised the other bidder didn’t bump it up at least $50 more at the end
I’m trying to learn the ropes on auctions and not make any dumb mistakes
Going to apply for a C&R FFL soon so I can streamline the process on the older guns I am interested in buying
Looking at your other posts on values for the old model single sixes was a big help, greatly appreciate being able to know where the ceiling is on the current market for them