Serial number question

[unspellable]

Ruger serial numbers seem to have a three digit prefix. 123-xxx... Does the three digit prefix indicate a particular model or some such?

 

[G2]

Some Such.

There are also 2 digit prefix. Usually a Large Frame Blackhawks & Vaquero’s

3 digit prefix is Usually a Medium Frame flattop’s, New Vaquero’s & Single Six’s.

The prefix is Usually the same in a particular caliber

But with that all said there are exceptions thru out, or as some call it,,,

Some Such….

 

[chet15]

Ruger serial numbers seem to have a three digit prefix. 123-xxx... Does the three digit prefix indicate a particular model or some such?

Yes, the prefix "series" represents a particular series of firearm in Ruger's lineup. In 1969 the following prefixes were assigned as a result of GCA '68 which stated that any firearm of a particular manufacture had to have its own serial number sequence... no more starting at the common serial number 1 for a new series and running upward (The Blackpowder Old Army was the exception).

So in 1969 you got the following...
10- Standard and Mark I pistols
20- Single-Sixes, fixed sights (Old Model)
30- .357 Blackhawks (Old Model)
40- .41 Blackhawks (Old Model)
45- .45 Blackhawks (Old Model)
50- .30 Blackhawks (Old Model)
60- Super Single-Sixes, adj. sights (Old Model)
70- M77's
80- Super Blackhawks (Old Model)
90- Bearcats (Old Model)
100- .44 Carbines
110- 10/22 Carbines
130- Number 1 rifles

After 1969 as New series were introduced, they would just pick a unique serial number prefix.
For the 10/22, numbers ran from 110-00001 through 129-99999 then they had to go somewhere else because the #1 rifle was already in the 130- sequence, so 10/22's jumped to 230-00001.
And so on for other new introduced series, or if one series ran out of numbers they would go to the next available prefix sequence.
Chet15

 

[RoninPA]

Here's a smattering of newer ones:
LC Carbine (.45 ACP) has a 930- prefix,
GP-100 (.22, 10 shot) is 198- prefix
MKIV (22/45 Lite) I acquired just has a 9 digit s/n starting with 500xxxxxx (no dash and the gun and the box lable match.)

 

[nm.otter]

Several .17 HMR Single Sixes I know of have 264- prefixes.

 

[chet15]

Yes, there area whole host of prefixes that have been assigned. Ruger pretty much ran out of two and three digit prefixes with a dash so had to go to a four digit prefix without a dash a while back.
Really it all depends what series in in need of another prefix series, then its next prefix up. A while ago Ruger had to go to the 0001- for their 10/22. Now they are up to 0026-. That is 100,000 guns per different prefix folks.
The GP100 recently passed the 1 million mark, completing the sequence 170-00001 through 179-99999, so then jumped to the 198- prefix (because 195- to 197- were the old series Mini-14's and Mini-Thirty's.
There aren't many two and three digit prefixes with a dash where Ruger hasn't had some serial numbering done.
Chet15