Jeff in Cincinnati
Bearcat
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2002
- Messages
- 44
I believe from research I have done that Ruger started out making the RSM with a front sling mount on a barrel band that went through the stock forend. Later, the front sling swivel mount barrel band was moved in front of the stock, and I believe the barrel contour was also changed at that time. I have an RSM that is configured somewhat differently.
I have a SN 780-08XXX .416 Rigby RSM, model 07807, that should date to about 1990 based upon Ruger's website. This gun is like new, and has a very heavy barrel. The front sling swivel barrel band is on the barrel in front of the stock, and oddly is placed right over the "Southport Conn." address line. There is also a barrel band inletted into the stock but there is no front sling mount stud in the stock, just the two screws in brass escutcheons. I looking at RSM images on the internet, I have seen two RSM rifles for sale in the past that have this configuration. While partially covering up the address line with the barrel band makes me wonder about some after factory modification to the gun, the addition of such a barrel band would require also removing the front sight barrel band as well as removing the front sling mount from the forend. I have looked the gun over as carefully as I can (but have not pulled the stock off), and I can see no indications that any such work was performed — everything looks virtually ANIB.
Does anyone know whether the RSM was sold as described above, perhaps as a transition before the later version with the different barrel contour, barrel band and stock was created?
I have a SN 780-08XXX .416 Rigby RSM, model 07807, that should date to about 1990 based upon Ruger's website. This gun is like new, and has a very heavy barrel. The front sling swivel barrel band is on the barrel in front of the stock, and oddly is placed right over the "Southport Conn." address line. There is also a barrel band inletted into the stock but there is no front sling mount stud in the stock, just the two screws in brass escutcheons. I looking at RSM images on the internet, I have seen two RSM rifles for sale in the past that have this configuration. While partially covering up the address line with the barrel band makes me wonder about some after factory modification to the gun, the addition of such a barrel band would require also removing the front sight barrel band as well as removing the front sling mount from the forend. I have looked the gun over as carefully as I can (but have not pulled the stock off), and I can see no indications that any such work was performed — everything looks virtually ANIB.
Does anyone know whether the RSM was sold as described above, perhaps as a transition before the later version with the different barrel contour, barrel band and stock was created?