single-six birdshead

S

scubavol

Bearcat
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
7
I just brought a .22 cal. single-six with a 3 inch barrel and a birdshead grip. I can't find this in the Ruger catalog. Is this a special issue or out of production gun. I really like the gun and will appreciate any information anyone can share with me.
 
It says Ruger New Model .22 ca. single-six. I found one listed on one of the online gun sellers as a special edition Talo model with ivory grips and two cyclinders. Mine has black grips and I only have the LR cyclinder; however, a cyclinder could be missing as I brought the gun at an auction. The seller indicated that only 450 were made like the one he is selling and he has a minimum bid of $820. This gun seems to be a bit of a mystery.
 
Yep, special edition a couple(?) of years ago. There was a pretty extensive thread (or threads) about them when they were introduced. Of course, I can't find them now...

"Whitebird" version w/faux ivory grips was first edition. "Blackbird" version w/black grips was the second edition, after the first sold very well.

Here's one thread, if I find one of the longer ones, I'll post you a link.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=178683&hilit=birdshead
 
Thank you, after looking at that post I may have done good. I paid $400 for the Blackbird.
 
Does any one know how many Blackbirds were produced and what the oirginal cost was?
 
Welcome to the Forum!
It appears you did quite well. I do believe about 450 of these guns were made. (looking at the other topic posted.) Since it was a Special Distributor issue, it won't have a price listed in the catalogs.
Now, if our esteemed RENE editor/publisher chet15 sees this thread, I'm sure he can add much more to it. Keep a check here, as he doesn't get to visit her daily. It can be a few weeks before he sees something.
 


There was a short window of opportunity to acquire one of these, and unless you were connected with an astute FFL that got on the list right out of the gate, they weren't very available. Seems to me it was $500, new.

WAYNO.
 
Thank you all for the information and help. I bought the gun at an auction that a local dealer holds twice a year. He puts 500 to 600 gun through each auction and the guns come from several different sources including guns taken by law enforcement. I am going to see if he has a record of where got this gun. I am curious as to how a limited production gun like this got in the auction. I do not have the magnum cylinder. Does anyone know if a cylinder for other single sixs will fit the Black Bird?
 
Both the White and Black Birds were TALO guns and sold through their distributor network. We got 7 of the initial White batch and sold them for $550.00 each.

When the Blackbirds came along we got 10 and sold them for the same price.

I had a friend leaving to work in Alaska for the summer and he convinced me to sell him our last White Grip Gun (catalog# GKNRBH-3F-I) which happened to be my wifes gun. Figured we would be able to get another batch. When no more were to be had I suffered greatly until Heilman put one up on the forum which I bought without a second thought and made my wife happy again.

The Blackbird (catalog# GKNRBH-3F) sales were the same, sold out at the distributor level in one day, but no one was talking me out of the one stashed for the wife.

And yes both models came with 2 cylinders

 
Congratulations you made a good score. Don't let it go those guns are extremely hard to replace.
 
I remember someone here had a bunch for sale for $450 or $550 each, I kick myself for not buying one :cry: :cry: ....or several :x :x :x
 
NZshooter said:
I remember someone here had a bunch for sale for $450 or $550 each, I kick myself for not buying one :cry: :cry: ....or several :x :x :x
Click to expand...
Yep, member ACRYLICTNK sold a few here.....myself included :)
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=110867

018.jpg
 
Here is an example of how good your purchase was:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=385046692

Have fun with your new birdshead!
 
I am fortunate to have a "Blackbird". Production on these was 650 I believe. Found mine about a year ago NIB for $500 OTD. At the time I thought it was a little high,
but now I'm really glad I bought it.

Still haven't shot it, but probably will this spring. They are really neat little guns, I consider myself fortunate to have one.

Kudo's on your find,
Shorty
 
Thank you everyone for all the information about this gun. I was fortunate that no one at the auction knew the value of the gun so I was able to get it at a good price. I look forward to shooting it as it is really a good feeling gun.
 
Those are some of the sexiest single-sixes in my opinion. Now, if they had only put in a bisley hammer......

reakin
 
Been thinking hard about selling my Blackbird. I think its been shot, but not by me. It's in super condition, like NIB but since I'm not the original buyer, I will not promise that it hasn't been shot. If I do list it, I will not gouge anyone with an incredibly inflated price, but I do want a fair market price for it. Now I've been fooling with guns for 50 years and I know how pricing goes, I'd like to make a little on a piece like this, but I don't want to take advantage of anyone either.

Do you fellow forum members think 15% above what I gave plus shipping would be fair?

Making up my mind ~ many thanks,
Shorty
 
mojo.

relieve yourself, I'm still thinking.

NZshooter,

I am not an FFL holder, but I have the option of shipping through an FFL. Still thinking.

Shorty
 
Fellows I better put this to rest. It snowed again here in southern Ohio this weekend and I had some cabin time. Got the Blackbird out and played with it. Sorry, but I don't think I can part with it after all. My wife said it looked good in my hands, that's something, because she doesn't comment on my Rugers that often. So it went back in the safe and this summer ~ I promised myself I'd shoot it!

Thanks to the following guys for the interest...................
stubbfarmer
transalp1961
mojo
NZshooter

and bigbore45colt for his info and help.

Hope there are no hard feelings guys, I just can't let it go.
Many thanks to all,
Shorty
 
Shorty Jenkins said:
I don't think I can part with it after all...I just can't let it go.
Click to expand...
It's the right decision, a very cool variation of the Single Six that will probably never be made again.
 
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