rarest Rugers

[TINCANBANDIT is back]

OK Ruger experts, inspired by the recent posting of the 15" 44 OM Blackhawk

15 inch 44 Flattop???

Was there ever such a thing???

www.rugerforum.com

What are the rarest Ruger guns.... I remember reading about a 10/22 that left the factory with no rifling what other rarities are out there?

 

[krw]

Who has possesion of the Amber Ruger?

 

[eveled]

OK Ruger experts, inspired by the recent posting of the 15" 44 OM Blackhawk

15 inch 44 Flattop???

Was there ever such a thing???

www.rugerforum.com

What are the rarest Ruger guns.... I remember reading about a 10/22 that left the factory with no rifling what other rarities are out there?

1 of 2 made, and 1 was cut down? Doesn't get any rarer than that.

That 10/22 with no rifleing should have been a production model. Smooth bore garden gun for shot shells. Assuming it cycled reliably.

 

[golferboy426]

I have (via my late dad) a blue and a stainless old Army both with actual documented factory verified 6 1/2 inch barrels. These were made as samples for the Texas Sesquicentennial. Other than these 2, Ruger has never made a 6 1/2 Old Army so both of these are 1 of 1's

 

[contender]

There are quite a few extremely rare, "1 of" or similar guns by Ruger out there. Heck, how about experimental guns,, marked X1 or X2, etc. John Dougan has a few "X" guns. Or how about the only factory cut-away FT .357 that "brassframe" owns & displayed at a few ROCS shows?

Yes,, LOTS of seriously rare Rugers out there,, outside the factory.

 

[golferboy426]

There are quite a few extremely rare, "1 of" or similar guns by Ruger out there. Heck, how about experimental guns,, marked X1 or X2, etc. John Dougan has a few "X" guns. Or how about the only factory cut-away FT .357 that "brassframe" owns & displayed at a few ROCS shows?

Yes,, LOTS of seriously rare Rugers out there,, outside the factory.

Probably some real rare ones still in the factory vault too

 

[contender]

Yeah,, and a lot of us collectors who'd love to be given a chance to get into them!

 

[golferboy426]

I also have what I suspect is a one of 1: A Gold Label presented to an employee as a 20th year employment anniversary gift.

 

[trapperon]

I believe the 5 shot Ruger Alaskan 480 is very rare. Like less than 50 produced.
Ron

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

When we talk about Rare Collectable guns, we must remember that a gun which is an anomaly most often does not
mean that it is Rare or Collectable. JMHO

If you want to see some Rare Ruger's follow this link, check out all the shows. I think you will be amazed at what you see
Also search this forum for the old Harrisburg Show threads.

Ruger Owners & Collectors Society

www.rugersociety.com

KRW , JD owns the Amber gun.
Terry

 

[Dan in MI]

Show me an XGI.

 

[TINCANBANDIT is back]

I have (via my late dad) a blue and a stainless old Army both with actual documented factory verified 6 1/2 inch barrels. These were made as samples for the Texas Sesquicentennial. Other than these 2, Ruger has never made a 6 1/2 Old Army so both of these are 1 of 1's

pictures??

 

[Xrayist]

I would think that the M77 in .416 Taylor and the Ruger No. 1 .458, with I believe either a 16" or 18" barrel would be up there.

 

[eveled]

Until someone shows up with another one. I believe I have the only double struck SR1911

 

[krw]

Show me an XGI.

Ruger sold one years back at auction. Best I remember it brought $10k+

 

[hittman]

Rarest is such a subjective term. Some of the guns mentioned here I'd consider obscure and the next guy may do cartwheels over them.

There's a lot of things that can define rare. Guns marked with "D" or "S" or "U" or " * ". Depending on your definition those are rare or just regular production guns with an oddity. The full auto guns are rare or maybe not if you have a certain license or worked in law enforcement. Guns exported and then brought back with the proof marks. And the list goes on and on.

Part of what makes great conversation and the hobby more fun and interesting,

 

[TINCANBANDIT is back]

Who has possesion of the Amber Ruger?

what is the "Amber Ruger"?

 

[Xrayist]

I think he is referring to the Ruger No. 1 made for John Amber, editor of Gun Digest. It was a 30 or 32" Creedmoor type rifle, tang sight amd in, if I remember, a 416 caliber wildcat cartridge of his design. Engraved, nice wood. It is pictured on the cover of one of the Gun Digest books. Don't remember which yesr.

 

[Ride1949]

The first Single-Six to leave the factory was made in the tool room and shipped in late 1952 or early 1953 to Cole Agee, a well-known engraver of the day. The gun was embellished in a bold leafy scroll with a stippled background. It was plated with silver and gold and inscribed "To John T. Amber With the Compliments of Col. Ruger." That remarkable Single-Six was specially prepared so that it could appear on the cover of The Gun Digest. It was also the first factory-engraved Ruger revolver.

Along with a sense of urgency to produce and ship quantities of pistols and revolvers was the ever-persistent day-to-day process of running a growing business. There was material acquisition, off-site component fabrication, drawing, R&D, marketing, receiving, advertising, new-product development and the perfecting of those already in productionﾑthe list went on and on. Bill Ruger even found time to explore the idea of offering a cased and engraved version of his new Single-Six.

Engraved by Cole Agee, this historic Ruger Single Six enjoys the distinction of being the first engraved Ruger revolver shipped from the Red Barn. It is gold- and silver-plated and carries an inscription on its backstrap that reads: "To John T. Amber With The Compliments of Col. Ruger." The gun also graced the cover of The Gun Digest's 8th Edition in 1954

 

[Ride1949]

The full article "Artistry from the red barn."

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Artistry From the Red Barn: Ruger's Engraved Guns

In the world of Ruger collectors, these rare factory-engraved guns are some of the most collectible of all, and they tell a fascinating story of the early years at Sturm, Ruger & Co.

www.americanrifleman.org