I just purchased a gorgeous Ruger Bisely with 7 1/2" barrels and chambered for 44 Special cartridges. Sometimes referred to as the "mistake" shootists gun I am sure many of you are aware of them. For those who are not the following is a quick summary.
John Tiffin and several of his sixgun friends formed an exclusive club of sixgun enthusiasts. In, I believe, 2010, as a celebration of their 25th anniversary they had 100 Ruger Bisley's made with 7 1/2" barrels, chambered for 44 Special with special serial numbers and engravings. Ruger had 94 made when they realized they had not used the special serial numbers agreed to but had instead had used the regular Ruger Bisley serial numbers. This was just before engraving had begun. They had 94 guns completed and ready to be engraved. Once they realized their error/"mistake" they began again and made 100 of the Rugers with the special serial numbers and engravings. The 94 original guns were sold as limited editions. They are called the Shootists "mistake" guns because of the mistaken serial numbers. They have no engravings and, except for the serial numbers, are otherwise identical to the Shootists 25th Anniversary guns. In addition they are the only Ruger 7 1/2" Bisleys chambered for 44 Special ever offered to the public. When put up for sale they all sold in 3 days!
Now, do I shoot it or just put it away?
best,
JimP
John Tiffin and several of his sixgun friends formed an exclusive club of sixgun enthusiasts. In, I believe, 2010, as a celebration of their 25th anniversary they had 100 Ruger Bisley's made with 7 1/2" barrels, chambered for 44 Special with special serial numbers and engravings. Ruger had 94 made when they realized they had not used the special serial numbers agreed to but had instead had used the regular Ruger Bisley serial numbers. This was just before engraving had begun. They had 94 guns completed and ready to be engraved. Once they realized their error/"mistake" they began again and made 100 of the Rugers with the special serial numbers and engravings. The 94 original guns were sold as limited editions. They are called the Shootists "mistake" guns because of the mistaken serial numbers. They have no engravings and, except for the serial numbers, are otherwise identical to the Shootists 25th Anniversary guns. In addition they are the only Ruger 7 1/2" Bisleys chambered for 44 Special ever offered to the public. When put up for sale they all sold in 3 days!
Now, do I shoot it or just put it away?
best,
JimP