Single-Six Questions, age, value, and possibilities
- Thread starter gregs
- Start date
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
1958 or 1959?
Need pics!
Need pics!
Yes, RENE shows 1958. Should be a 5-1/2" Type I "roundgate" with an XR3 grip frame.
In "pristine" collector condition, $400 or so.
And yes, we'd like pics!
Neat find!!
Projects? I'd just enjoy having a nice 55-year-old Single-Six.
In "pristine" collector condition, $400 or so.
And yes, we'd like pics!
Neat find!!
Projects? I'd just enjoy having a nice 55-year-old Single-Six.
Colonel Daddy
Buckeye
exactly!Ale-8(1) said:Yes, RENE shows 1958. Should be a 5-1/2" Type I "roundgate" with an XR3 grip frame.
In "pristine" collector condition, $400 or so.
And yes, we'd like pics!
Neat find!!
Projects? I'd just enjoy having a nice 55-year-old Single-Six.
And it's always nice to find an Old Model Ruger, any calibre!
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Nice find! It's not too nice to modify is it? Otherwise the sky is the limit.
Are you thinking of spiffing it it up with different parts like stainless grip frame, birdshead grip, wide trigger or barrel shortening?
Or a caliber change?
Are you thinking of spiffing it it up with different parts like stainless grip frame, birdshead grip, wide trigger or barrel shortening?
Or a caliber change?
DGW1949
Hawkeye
Boxhead had one converted to a .41 Spl.
If I had lots of money to throw around, I'd like a 4-5/8" "Colterized" version in 38Spl, nickel plated with ivories.
Yeah, that would do it for me.
DGW
If I had lots of money to throw around, I'd like a 4-5/8" "Colterized" version in 38Spl, nickel plated with ivories.
Yeah, that would do it for me.
DGW
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
I picked up a new model a short time back. It was a convertible but no mag. cylinder came with it and it had been handled and scratched up but shot very little and mechanically very good. I shortened the barrel and ejector housing,removed billboard, replaced sights and did a polish and tune up. I also made a new set of grips for it. Just a fun little shooter and great project.
Have fun!!
Have fun!!
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
I can see Chuck's face in the frame reflection. Nice.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Chuck,
That's just flat gorgeous! What length is the barrel? It's in excellent proportion and the shorter cyl pin of course helps ejection, especially with a 22 mag cyl. Beautiful grips as well.
I had a similar theme with this old model 3 screw boat anchor:
I picked up this one for $200 to rescue and also make some modifications that I wouldn’t do to a nice one in good conscience. It’s a 1967 vintage 3 screw Super single six that came out of Florida and was apparently a coup de gras gun on a fishing boat. But the action was original and mechanically sound. These Rugers are truly almost indestructible.
My objectives:
Make an all steel, flat top and matching proportion .22 to my OM Flat top 44 conversion. I never liked the fact that a 4 5/8” barrel on a single six frame does not look as good as a 4 5/8” barrel on the mid frame or balance as well in the hand.
Modifications:
Cut the barrel: mathematically 4 7/16” is equal to the proportion of the mid frame with a 4 5/8”. But that would be a cut right thru the ERH screw. So I resorted to 4 9/32” which allows for a cylinder change while still capturing the pin so it can't fall out in the field.
Also pulled the barrel and turned it ¼ turn so the rollmark is on the side to match the OM FT. This had two more advantages: it keeps the front sight from covering the rollmark and it allowed me to clean up the course machine tool marks on the front face of the frame so typical on OM Rugers. That in turn allowed me to tighten the barrel another ¼ turn.
Install the NM single six ramp style front sight and with its shorter base it also improved proportion.
Turn down a steel ERH to match the barrel length.
Adapt NM steel XR3 size grip frame with the internal lock by-passed and install a Dave Clements adapter wide trigger, with the ugly web removed. Super SSs weren’t made until after the original Colt size XR3 grip frame was eliminated but the XR3s feel perfect on the small frame.
Adapt a NM Bisley hammer by silver soldering on the 3 notches cut from the OM hammer.
Flatten the top strap and install an original steel Micro sight.
File out all dings, rust pits and polish the steel frame.
About 3/4 done here:
So far I like the polished frame. I have since drilled and tapped holes for the sight and ERH held on in this photo w/tape:
Another shorty old model:
A super ss NM sight has been modified by lowering it to shoot to point of aim after dialing it in at the range. Overall it's only 8 1/2" long. It's no safe queen but rescued to be used and enjoyed. I have about $350 in it including the host gun.
A USFA 'cammed slot' ERH was fitted so the rod button goes around the cyl pin to allow for sufficient ejection rod travel to eject cases, especially 22 mags. It also allows removal of the cylinder pin for cylinder changes in the field w/o removal of the ERH. A dimpled ER was shortened and pointed (to more easily find those 22 chambers.)
The grip frame is a steel short one from the NM 32 Mag single six Vaquero for proportion with the short barrel and for easy packin'. The wide OM SBH trigger fills the wide slot in the NM grip frame. The old model grip medallions and blue screw and escutcheons were used in place of the new style. A flat loading gate was used because they are cool.
This was a 1st variation Lightweight in filthy, sorry shape with virtually no finish left when won on Gunbroker for $195. The original Martin Hardcoat alloy cylinder was apparently replaced with a steel cylinder by Ruger. It took me extensive flat polishing to realign seams and remove anaodizing and dings.
That's just flat gorgeous! What length is the barrel? It's in excellent proportion and the shorter cyl pin of course helps ejection, especially with a 22 mag cyl. Beautiful grips as well.
I had a similar theme with this old model 3 screw boat anchor:
I picked up this one for $200 to rescue and also make some modifications that I wouldn’t do to a nice one in good conscience. It’s a 1967 vintage 3 screw Super single six that came out of Florida and was apparently a coup de gras gun on a fishing boat. But the action was original and mechanically sound. These Rugers are truly almost indestructible.
My objectives:
Make an all steel, flat top and matching proportion .22 to my OM Flat top 44 conversion. I never liked the fact that a 4 5/8” barrel on a single six frame does not look as good as a 4 5/8” barrel on the mid frame or balance as well in the hand.
Modifications:
Cut the barrel: mathematically 4 7/16” is equal to the proportion of the mid frame with a 4 5/8”. But that would be a cut right thru the ERH screw. So I resorted to 4 9/32” which allows for a cylinder change while still capturing the pin so it can't fall out in the field.
Also pulled the barrel and turned it ¼ turn so the rollmark is on the side to match the OM FT. This had two more advantages: it keeps the front sight from covering the rollmark and it allowed me to clean up the course machine tool marks on the front face of the frame so typical on OM Rugers. That in turn allowed me to tighten the barrel another ¼ turn.
Install the NM single six ramp style front sight and with its shorter base it also improved proportion.
Turn down a steel ERH to match the barrel length.
Adapt NM steel XR3 size grip frame with the internal lock by-passed and install a Dave Clements adapter wide trigger, with the ugly web removed. Super SSs weren’t made until after the original Colt size XR3 grip frame was eliminated but the XR3s feel perfect on the small frame.
Adapt a NM Bisley hammer by silver soldering on the 3 notches cut from the OM hammer.
Flatten the top strap and install an original steel Micro sight.
File out all dings, rust pits and polish the steel frame.
About 3/4 done here:
So far I like the polished frame. I have since drilled and tapped holes for the sight and ERH held on in this photo w/tape:
Another shorty old model:
A super ss NM sight has been modified by lowering it to shoot to point of aim after dialing it in at the range. Overall it's only 8 1/2" long. It's no safe queen but rescued to be used and enjoyed. I have about $350 in it including the host gun.
A USFA 'cammed slot' ERH was fitted so the rod button goes around the cyl pin to allow for sufficient ejection rod travel to eject cases, especially 22 mags. It also allows removal of the cylinder pin for cylinder changes in the field w/o removal of the ERH. A dimpled ER was shortened and pointed (to more easily find those 22 chambers.)
The grip frame is a steel short one from the NM 32 Mag single six Vaquero for proportion with the short barrel and for easy packin'. The wide OM SBH trigger fills the wide slot in the NM grip frame. The old model grip medallions and blue screw and escutcheons were used in place of the new style. A flat loading gate was used because they are cool.
This was a 1st variation Lightweight in filthy, sorry shape with virtually no finish left when won on Gunbroker for $195. The original Martin Hardcoat alloy cylinder was apparently replaced with a steel cylinder by Ruger. It took me extensive flat polishing to realign seams and remove anaodizing and dings.
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
Hondo44 & GasGuzzler ,Thanks for the compliments guys. The barrel ended up at just a smidge over 4 1/8" measured from the cylinder face.
My main concern was ejection and wanted enough stroke on the ejector rod.
I had to rig up a mandril to turn that little nub (tenon) back on the end of the shortened ERH. I also had to shorten the ER, ERspring and base pin. I also pulled the barrel and crowned and turned the billboard off on the lathe. A simple if not time consuming project, but aint that what hobbies are all about??
My main concern was ejection and wanted enough stroke on the ejector rod.
I had to rig up a mandril to turn that little nub (tenon) back on the end of the shortened ERH. I also had to shorten the ER, ERspring and base pin. I also pulled the barrel and crowned and turned the billboard off on the lathe. A simple if not time consuming project, but aint that what hobbies are all about??
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
Steve, It was pretty badly scuffed up. I started with 320 grit wet or dry wrapped around a file or pop sickle stick or dowel (depending on what area I was working on) and worked down through the grades of sandpaper until I got to 600 and then I buffed on a cotton wheel using white stick polishing compound. really quite simple,just lots of work. Try to not round over sharp edges, lettering, holes etc.
Oh, I made the grips too. My dad once said, " just whittle away any wood that don`t look like a grip , simple! "
Oh, I made the grips too. My dad once said, " just whittle away any wood that don`t look like a grip , simple! "
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
That's the same way I polish, Chuck.
On previously painted alloy stuff I actually start with 150 but I have to be gentle. I use that just to get the rough areas flattened before 220 then the 320 and so on. I also use round and square wooden dowels. I table works to plan flat sides. Strength in numbers. I'm obsessed with polish....maybe. Now has polished shoe and the TG was touched up to look like a mirror again. Also has polished SS mag release. This is an old pic. Oh yeah....also has polished aluminum butt plate....one of those that cost too much. Buy a ragged one and fix it, right? Always cheaper usually. :shock:
On previously painted alloy stuff I actually start with 150 but I have to be gentle. I use that just to get the rough areas flattened before 220 then the 320 and so on. I also use round and square wooden dowels. I table works to plan flat sides. Strength in numbers. I'm obsessed with polish....maybe. Now has polished shoe and the TG was touched up to look like a mirror again. Also has polished SS mag release. This is an old pic. Oh yeah....also has polished aluminum butt plate....one of those that cost too much. Buy a ragged one and fix it, right? Always cheaper usually. :shock:
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Possibly obsessed with polish...
Hondo44
Hawkeye
GasGuzzler,
Gosh that's nice. It's a bit addictive when you get results like that isn't it?
Gosh that's nice. It's a bit addictive when you get results like that isn't it?
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Lots of sanding. It's fun work. I was looking for a modern pic of a possible local 10/22 with refinished stock and lots of polish considering metal butt plate but I guess I have to get out the real camera.
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