Actually I sent an email request on 1 April 2012. They answered and stated, and I quote:Dantforth said:Thanks Mike. I guess the Rene guide book needs to be changed to reflect that your revolver is now the earliest which was shipped with walnut grips. All of the info I have about mine would suggest it also came with the walnuts. I was advised by Ruger customer service that records were not available as early as the ship date of my revolver but they were available for yours?? Possibly I should give up the few dollars and get a letter?
Yes! The boxes for the 6 1/2 in Single-Six will only have RSSM as the catalog number for the ones with the hard rubber grips, the walnut grips and the convertibles. Only the Shipping box will have RSSM, for the hard rubber grips. RSSMW for the Walnut grips. And RSSMX for the convertibles, both with hard rubber or walnut. From Jan 1960 till the XR3-RED grip frame started being used the box for the Walnut grip guns would have a sticker on the end of the box saying "WITH WALNUT GRIPS". After the XR3-RED frame started being used all of the grips were Walnut and there was no need to put the sticker on the end of the box. After that the catalog numbers were RSSMW and RSSMX. Although the box still had RSSM on it that catalog number was not used after the XR3-RED grip frame started being used.Fox Mike said:
Dantforth said:I have already done that. Put a WTB on this morning. I also called Ruger customer service. They advise that this revolver predates any model number information they have but they were able to tell me it left the factory in July 1959. So, while I assume the walnut grips were original from the factory, I have no difinitive proof.
Dantforth said:Well, I was like a kid in a candy store when I retrieved the Ruger envelope from the mailbox just now. I will post a photo of it later. I will quote from the letter verbatum "Our records indicate this Single Six revolver was shipped in July 1959 as model Single Six, caliber .22 Long Rifle/.22 W.M.R." In the same letter they have the serial number correct as 300780. How sad is this? Is there nobody at Ruger who knows anything?? I was hoping that they would give me the Model designation as RSSMW showing it indeed came from the factory with the walnut grips and if not at least as RSSM. I was shocked to see no model number at all and that they did not even have it as .22 W.M.R. ONLY? Any suggestions?
Dantforth said:Well, success at last. This morning I received a telephone call from Linda. She explained what had happened and apologized. Linda advise that I would be receiving a correct letter containing manufacture date, shipping date, model number as shipped and model designation. Ruger Customer Service!! She also sent her e-mail address and phone number for future reference. I am pleased with her professional response.