Thanks to Ruger Guru and Blackhawk for your comments and information. I feel better now knowing I have a nice rifle but could probably shoot it if I give into the temptation. It is not a presentation piece as it is just standard wood and bluing but is in almost perfect condition with the exception being 3 very small dents (about the size of a pencil lead) in the rear stock wood. It is not pre-drilled for scope bases which confused me until you clarified that it was not supposed to have them as I believe the other one I had was drilled and, in fact, I still have the Ruger bases from it. Apparently the early ones were not pre-drilled and that is probably a good thing to verify age however I bought one to shoot and need a scope for my 68 year old eyes (yes, I am old enough to remember Page, Keith, and O'Conner, but for some reason did not remember, Brown). So I don't think I will mess it up and drill it for a scope base. I may shoot it a couple of times and just hold on to it until I run across someone with a nice .223, which was the caliber I really wanted, that wants to trade and maybe pay a little extra for the providence. The box apparently got lost somewhere down the road but it does have the documentation mentioned. Didn't put my question up here to try to sell it as I really want to own one and I think it is neat that you owned it at one time, Guru. Apparently another owner was John Krukenberg of Ohio (unless that is you) as the letter from Ruger was sent to him. Also you are probably right about his wife signing the letter as his name is typed, then signed, then underneath that signature the initials C. B. appears, which is the normal method used when signing someone's name with permission. One of the articles stated that Brown died May 18, 1990 and the letter was signed April 7, 1990, just weeks before his death, so due to his health or frailty, she probably signed for him. Thanks again for your help.
