OM Single Six

[Acorn]

LGS has an clean OM SS ser. # 389xxx. It hasn't been converted and could pass for unfired if it wasn't carboned up on the cylinder face. There is no turn line, the grip frame and stocks are unblemished, with only a hint of blue wear at the muzzle. Unfortunately there is no box or other goodies. Now my question. Should this come with a mag. cylinder? The price is $400 and not negotiable. Not a great price, but, they aren't making them anymore! I'm thinking around 1967-68 as the dob.

 

[WIL TERRY]

IF it has adjustable sights it most definately should have both 22LR/22MAG cylinders.
IF it is a 4 5/8" BBL it is easily worth that price and more.
And so it goes...

 

[Fox Mike]

That number falls into the Magnum series numbers 3000001- 394740. It also could be a convertible. That would puts it as a 1964 model.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

It's likely a convertible from 1964, but if it says "WIN .22 RF MAG CAL" on the left side of the frame it's a "magnum only" gun. These came only in 6-1/2" lengths, and very few were converts.

 

[Acorn]

Sorry I forgot it's fixed sights and IIRC 6-1/2"

 

[Hondo44]

First thing to do is verify which cyl it has: 22 LR with charge holes (no shoulder edge in the chambers) or 22 Mag shoulder in the chambers.

2nd thing: confirm caliber marking on left side of frame.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Quick cylinder confirmation: A .22 magnum round will not chamber in a .22LR cylinder.

A .22LR round will be a "sloppy" fit in a magnum cylinder.

:mrgreen:

 

[chet15]

Acorn:
Your gun would either be an RSSMW (.22 mag. only) or an RSSMX (convertible), so since it has an LR cylinder I'm betting it left as an RSSMX.
By the time your gun was made, the Magnum marking on the left side of the cylinder frame had been long gone (by 340xxx).
Chet15

 

[Acorn]

Quite honestly I never checked to see if it was .22lr or WMR. When I saw it, it was tagged Lr., I don't know if anyone actually checked. I was hoping it was Lr. only and not a convertible. I'm disappointed its not, and somewhere in the past it got separated from the other cylinder, not that I will shoot mags. out of it. It's in jail right now. I'll post a couple pics when I spring it.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

So . . . do you know if it's .22LR or .22Mag??

 

[Acorn]

It's on layaway. I haven't had time to check it out. That dirty word-work.

 

[chet15]

Quite honestly I never checked to see if it was .22lr or WMR. When I saw it, it was tagged Lr., I don't know if anyone actually checked. I was hoping it was Lr. only and not a convertible. I'm disappointed its not, and somewhere in the past it got separated from the other cylinder, not that I will shoot mags. out of it. It's in jail right now. I'll post a couple pics when I spring it.

There are only two known RSSMW that shipped as LR only and they are both factory "seconds" with an "S" stamped on the bottom of the frame and super purple cylinder frames.
Chet15

 

[Acorn]

Thanks Chet. That's why I came to the experts.

 

[wesm]

Not sure if it's a great price or not, but I recently bought a 5-1/2" unconverted one with 22lr only cylinder in very similar condition to yours for $425 OTD. So there is a reference point for you, whether that means I overpaid or not I don't know.

 

[Acorn]

Well either way we're sort of in the same boat.

 

[2sheriffs]

1989 book Single Action Revolvers 1953 63 from Dougan's lists RSSM 22 Magnum serial number range from 300000-342450. They came back later and used the rest for other Single Six Revolvers.
Ron

 

[chet15]

1989 book Single Action Revolvers 1953 63 from Dougan's lists RSSM 22 Magnum serial number range from 300000-342450. They came back later and used the rest for other Single Six Revolvers.
Ron

The serial number range in JD's book is slightly off. Mag. only Single-Sixes are actually known as high as 398349, shipped as RSSMW .22 Mag. only.

Here's a review of the RSSMW and RSSMX.

July 1959...Magnum Single-Sixes introduced at that year's NRA show. These are magnum marked on the left side of the cylinder frame.

1960...walnut grips became standard (RSSMW), although rubber grips could be ordered on a special model (RSSMR) at $1 less.

1961...the Convertible Single-Six introduced. For Ruger's 4-5/8", 5-1/2" and 9-1/2" Single-Sixes (the LR model), the Mag. cylinder was considered the "extra" cylinder. For the 6-1/2" Single-Six (the Mag. model), the LR cylinder was considered the "extra" cylinder. At this time Ruger was still marking the 6-1/2" model with Mag. markings on the left side of the cylinder frame.

By late 1962 only a very small percentage of single cylinder Single-Sixes were being ordered by distributors so Ruger combined the Single-Six Convertible and the Magnum Single-Six Convertible model into one series and just called them all Single-Six convertibles. At this time, the Magnum markings were taken off of the left side of the cylinder frame of the 6-1/2" Single-Sixes and it was replaced with regular Single-Six markings. This happened between 340086 and 340177. However, small quantities of Mag. only Single-Sixes were apparently still ordered by Ruger's distributors. As mentioned, these have normal Single-Six markings on the left side of the cylinder frame yet were shipped as RSSMW .22 Mag. only. Only 13 are known in four different variations so these are rare. But they can only be verified through factory letter, unless you are lucky enough to have the original shipping sleeve (and one minty NIB gun is actually known with a sleeve).

The only gun that conflicts with the info above is an oddball that I've seen #342198 that had its frame marked originally with Mag. markings, and then had the normal Single-Six marking rollmarked over the top. I presume the employee accidently grabbed the Mag. rollmark out of the inventory (old habits are hard to break when procedures get changed). Sadly that gun was lost in a house fire but we have pics of the frame markings around here somewhere.
Chet15

 

[hittman]

$400.00 is a good price around here whether it's a LR only, Convertible or marked on the frame 22 Mag. Especially if it's the 22 Mag marked gun!

The 1990's and their prices are long gone boys and girls. A new in box New Model will run what ..... $600.00? This gun will appreciate a whole bunch faster than anything the factory is churning out today!

 

[Acorn]

So . . . do you know if it's .22LR or .22Mag??

Just sprung it today. The frame is marked .22 cal. So I assume it is/was a convertible that lost a cylinder.
It does have 2 scuffs on the one stock that should disappear with some Tru-oil.
All in all it's a nice little blaster.

Thanks to all.

 

[chet15]

So . . . do you know if it's .22LR or .22Mag??

Just sprung it today. The frame is marked .22 cal. So I assume it is/was a convertible that lost a cylinder.
It does have 2 scuffs on the one stock that should disappear with some Tru-oil.
All in all it's a nice little blaster.

Thanks to all.

It isn't necessarily a convertible.
The factory may be the only way to tell how it was shipped, as RSSMW or RSSMX
Take a peek at the end of the cylinder to see of the last three digits of the serial number are either stamped on the front between chambers or if they are scratched. If the numbers are there, then yes...chances are it did leave as a convertible. But again, only the factory will be able to tell one way or the other.
Chet15