Prototype Bisley Single-Six

[chet15]

Before it goes out into cyberspace forever, thought I would post the link to a prototype Bisley-Single-Six that just sold on Ruger auctions.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/937297244
Note the cylinder has a different engraving pattern on it (No Bisley Shooter motif). And the gun is about 5,000 earlier than the first produced regular production guns.
Chet15

 

[contender]

Interesting!

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

That was a steal! Prototypes don't pop up that often.
Terry

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Yes, I wish I'd seen it. Seems like the Ruger Gods are mocking me with that price of $1026 because I have what used to be the lowest "known" Bisley .22 at 261-01026. I had called Records on it 20 years ago and the woman was in a chatty mood, so she paged through the books and said the first Bisley was 261-01000 but that there were quite a few non-Bisley guns logged between 01000 and 01026.

 

[G2]

WMG is your gun equipped with a fluted cylinder?

I have 261-044xx & 047xx both with fluted cylinders. I have it in my notes that BILL (WBR) did not like the rollmark and said ship them with the fluted cylinders.

This gun with the never seen Rollmark, got me to wondering if this was the Rollmark that was not “liked”…

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

No, it is a standard RB22AW with the normal Bisley rollmarked cylinder and adjustable sights.

 

[chet15]

WMG is your gun equipped with a fluted cylinder?

I have 261-044xx & 047xx both with fluted cylinders. I have it in my notes that BILL (WBR) did not like the rollmark and said ship them with the fluted cylinders.

This gun with the never seen Rollmark, got me to wondering if this was the Rollmark that was not “liked”…

It wasn't that WBR didn't like the rollmark, they had a tough time getting that full cylinder scene to impress properly on the cylinder. When people complained it didn't have the Bisley motif like was advertised, Ruger thought they had better make something work on the cylinder.
Also, whether the early gun such as WMG's 261-01026 (and the others around that for that matter) has a rollmarked cylinder on it or not really depends on when the guns were finally assembled. Since Ruger never assembles guns by serial number order, those first hundred RB-22AW's may not have been assembled until well after several thousand fluted guns went out.
Chet15

 

[G2]

Chet15,
THANK YOU for the clarification on the history & details. I sure do enjoy the education.

What do you think the Prototype cylinder was, a BIG “Who Knows“ ?? Another Ruger mystery.

I’m not a collector, more of a enthusiast that seems to accumulate.

 

[collectormzornes]

So was this a prototype for the Bisley cylinder because I think the Bisley 22lr was made for 93 wasn't it? Not sure what mine is serial numbered right off the top of my head but it has the fluted cylinder anyway.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Bisley Single Sixes and Blackhawks started shipping in 1986. The Vaquero was the 1993 big deal.

 

[chet15]

So was this a prototype for the Bisley cylinder because I think the Bisley 22lr was made for 93 wasn't it? Not sure what mine is serial numbered right off the top of my head but it has the fluted cylinder anyway.

This was a prototype for the Bisley Single-Six as it is 5000 to 6000 numbers earlier than the earliest made regular production gun which was 261-01000. The two-page foldout literature that Ruger initially described the Bisley with didn't even have the style of cylinder engraving as is seen on this gun.
Chet15

 

[needsmostuff]

Note the cylinder has a different engraving pattern on it (No Bisley Shooter motif). And the gun is about 5,000 earlier than the first produced regular production guns.
Chet15

Way cool hammer also.

 

[Johnnu2]

Can you tell me what the Light Foundation is (as specified that Ruger supports per that ad in GB)??? Can's seem to find it on Google...

 

[48flyer]

https://ruger.com/news/2018-09-25a.html
he Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out is a unique charity event that combines a clay-shooting tournament with world-class sports, music and entertainment celebrities, an outdoor concert, fine-dining and a large fireworks display.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Light Foundation's initiatives, including various academic scholarships and programs for at-risk teens in Rhode Island, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Louisiana and Massachusetts. The nonprofit's mission is to provide these youths with unique outdoor learning experiences that assist them in becoming responsible citizens and leaders in their communities.

 

[Johnnu2]

Thanks, appreciate the info.

J.

 

[collectormzornes]

This was a prototype for the Bisley Single-Six as it is 5000 to 6000 numbers earlier than the earliest made regular production gun which was 261-01000. The two-page foldout literature that Ruger initially described the Bisley with didn't even have the style of cylinder engraving as is seen on this gun.
Chet15

So I guess they just kept it in House(at the Factory) until it shipped in 1993 or 1994. I was confused because mine shows it shipped in 1985 but it is the 261 prefix gun and this one is the 260 prefix that's where I got tripped up. Thanks for the help