Rare Ruger's.

[tom black]

Fellows what would some of the more rare Ruger single actions be? Thanks.
Tom Black

 

[bisleyfan41]

The one that pops to my mind is the stainless 357 Max. I believe 6 were made, 3 were destroyed leaving 3 in existence. Rarest I can think of.

 

[BlackEagle]

"more rare" is pretty vague. There are variations and subgroups where there may be only one or two known examples or where examples are very difficult to acquire like factory engraved Single Sixes. Then there are larger groups like top condition Old Model Flat Tops, factory brass gripframed guns, low or special serial numbers and many more that are attainable for normal people, but are priced a good deal higher because of their collectibility.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

How much time and money ya got?

I guess the classic old models would include factory engraved Single Sixes, 10" barrel flattops, 7.5" .44 flattops, factory chrome or nickel Super Single Sixes, factory brass frame Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks, boxed Lightweight Single Sixes, verifiable black trigger guard Bearcats (not Super Bearcats), Bearcats in the 1xxx serial number range, any of the 1-2 digit serial number guns, 4-5/8" barrel Super Single Sixes, long grip frame Super Blackhawks, 6.5" barrel Super Blackhawks, white boxed Super Blackhawks, non-prefixed serial number .357x9mm convertible Blackhawks especially in the 4-5/8" barrel, XR3 frame guns with factory stag and especially ivory grips, high polish .357 flattops, case hardened .357 flattops, factory second "S" stamped guns, duplicate serial number "D" stamped guns, mis-marked guns, guns with non-cataloged but verifiable barrel lengths or other features, non-INC barrel .41 Blackhawks, XR3-RED flattops & other late-shipped guns with mixed chronological features, and on and on.

Then with New Models, the list is probably longer but the values are not as high (yet).

 

[EarlFH]

How about the one remaining 15" Blackhawk, still in existence. There were two made, and one has been cut to 10" since. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know the caliber, but believe it was a 357 Mag.

EarlFH

 

[BlkHawk73]

The Euro exported 21" (?) revolvers aren't too common either.

 

[flatgate]

Books, my man, Books!

Join the Red Eagle News Exchange!

Ruger and His Guns by R.L. Wilson

Ruger Pistols & Revolvers by John Dougan

Plus 20 some odd more that aren't quite up to date.

"Long" grip frame Super Blackhawk

Boxed 10" .44 Flattop

"late shipped" .44 Flattops with XR3-RED grip frames

Old Model .45 Blackhawks with Factory installed brass grip frames

Hawkeye w/box

Early, "Type I" Flatgate Single-Six with original box.

"Factory Engraved" Flatgate Single-Six

These are just a drop in the bucket. The Real Collectors have the nice stuff.....

flatgate

 

[americal]

Tom If those Rugers that Flatgate just posted ------- were sold you could buy yourself A NICE brand new car with $$$ to spare :shock: I like the XR3 4&5/8's and 9&1/2 RSS's they are getting hard to find :!:

 

[joe812]

Wasn't there a one of a kind given to Elmer Keith?

 

[radicalrod]

The 15 inch Flat top is a 44 and I did get a chance to hold it once :shock: :shock: :shock: I also have held the case colored BKH3's WMG mentioned......sure is some AMAZING STUFF found at the T town show....I almost sold my soul trying to own that 15 inch gun :lol: :lol: :lol: OH well I have a few on that short list :roll: :roll: :roll: see ya RR.

Hey Americal, or a REALLY AWESOME USED CAR :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[EarlFH]

The 15 inch Flat top is a 44 and I did get a chance to hold it once :shock: :shock: :shock: I also have held the case colored BKH3's WMG mentioned......sure is some AMAZING STUFF found at the T town show....I almost sold my soul trying to own that 15 inch gun :lol: :lol: :lol: OH well I have a few on that short list :roll: :roll: :roll: see ya RR.

Hey Americal, or a REALLY AWESOME USED CAR :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hey, RR,
Just for information, what was the asking price at the time? My soul probably wouldn't be worth enough, anyway.

EarlFH

 

[flatgate]

Wasn't there a one of a kind given to Elmer Keith?

Elmer got some very interesting examples. One that comes to mind is a prototype of the Super Blackhawk. Two were produced. Elmer's is "unknown" but the other is alive and well and is not too far from here.....

Elmer's good friend, Judge Don Martin, received prototype .44 Blackhawk s/n X3. I've never heard what exact gun Elmer received.

flatgate

 

[seeemmiss]

That fifteen inch 44 flattop would sell for somwhere around $15,000 to $20,000 even in todays market. I think the last time it sold someone needed a new truck!! Remember there is only one. The other one was cut down by the factory to a ten inch gun.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think it qualifies as rare, but do any of you guys know how many Redhawks were made in 357 Mg.?

 

[bigbore45colt]

IIRC, the 15" 44 flat-top asking price when it was in Tulsa was $25K.

BB45C

 

[EarlFH]

IIRC, the 15" 44 flat-top asking price when it was in Tulsa was $25K.

BB45C

WOW!!! :shock: I would think that, it being the only one on the planet, might be the most valuable Ruger there is. Does anyone know of one that might be more valuable?

EarlFH

 

[BlackEagle]

It is hard to attach a price to something that is not for sale. I am sure there are plenty of Rugers out there that fall into this category.

 

[americal]

MAYBE--I can speak for a lot of us --We all enjoy having some hard to find Rugers and we really like Ruger displays and the RARE GUNS-- but I think us Ruger guys just like Rugers for their looks- quality- history -fun of the hunt --restoring-- shooting all kinds of reasons Either you understand what you are looking at when viewing nice rugers or you don't :!: :!: Hope I didn't make a mess of my SPEECH :lol:

 

[chet15]

Wasn't there a one of a kind given to Elmer Keith?

Yes, he got a 4-5/8" .44 flattop straight from the factory, sn 2331 (actually, my notes say 4-3/4"). Its one of only two 4-5/8" .44 flattops confirmed in that length.
Chet15

 

[flattop44]

He offered the 15" .44 Flattop to me in Tulsa for $39k or $36k, either just kinda blows me away so I don't remember which. I also understand that he turned down $25k sometime back...at least that what I have been told....and believe it.

Yep, Rod even tried to sell me his soul at that show but he wanted the money right then, just couldn't wait...he said that the devil wanted it but wanted to pay for it on a payment plan....just never did work out for him!! 8)

FT44

 

[flatgate]

I'd put the engraved .357's and .44's in WBR's collection WAY above Elmer's .44.

How about this pair of "small bores"?

Yes, Virginia, there are some rare Rugers.......sorry to paraphrase the famous Christmas story.....

JMHO,

flatgate

PS How about this old thing. Shucks, it probably won't even fire a cartridge.....

 

[americal]

I wish they would come out with that single shot gun :!: :!: MAN do I ever more so love that simple look 8) I would not care if it was in 410 smooth bore :lol:

 

[tom black]

Hmmm. As bad as Flatgate's Ruger collection is I think I'd rather suffer through the embarrassment of owning it than having a new car and the change for a Happy Meal.
Tom Black

 

[radicalrod]

Hey FT44 aka Bill, I had a deal with the Devil all ready to go when you backed out BUT something about 3K a month payments made me come to my senses I guess I have to be happy with a 10 inch S47 :roll: :roll: :roll: see ya RR.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Wasn't there a one of a kind given to Elmer Keith?

Yes, he got a 4-5/8" .44 flattop straight from the factory, sn 2331 (actually, my notes say 4-3/4"). Its one of only two 4-5/8" .44 flattops confirmed in that length.
Chet15

There are more, we just need to back track an old conversation with Records.............. 8)

 

[flatgate]

Hmmm. As bad as Flatgate's Ruger collection is I think I'd rather suffer through the embarrassment of owning it than having a new car and the change for a Happy Meal.
Tom Black

I never intended to convey the fact that the guns depicted in my post were MINE. The topic at hand concerned "Rare Rugers" and I simply dug though my extensive image files and posted "a few" of what I thought were appropriate subjects. Oh, sure, I have one or maybe two that are kinda nice, but........

flatgate

 

[chet15]

The most valuable Ruger? How about Ruger's first handmade prototype of the .22 pistol built in 1946/47?
2nd place....any of Ruger's light machine gun prototypes from WWII.
But yes, I think those Jerred engraved flattops rank right up there too.
Chet15

 

[Ale-8(1)]

It's all in our heads.

Personally, I'd "value" Elmer's short .44 over those superb engraved guns, but that's because I am such a fan of Elmer and his contributions to the gun world in general . . . and his direct input into the development of the modern single-action.

JMHO

 

[EarlFH]

The most valuable Ruger? How about Ruger's first handmade prototype of the .22 pistol built in 1946/47?
2nd place....any of Ruger's light machine gun prototypes from WWII.
But yes, I think those Jerred engraved flattops rank right up there too.
Chet15

Chet15,
I didn't know that Bill Ruger was designing guns in WWII! :shock:
Are any of the prototypes presently in public hands? Have any of them come on the market, to establish value? Are any pics availablle of these guns? I'd sure like to see them.

EarlFH

 

[flatgate]

EarlFH,

You need to get the story of William B. Ruger! The book is titled Ruger and His Guns. It's been around for many years.

Click Here for info.

flatgate