< SPF > Single Six KNR4"Liberty"

[bisley32]

It's a stainless 45/8 single six "Liberty",but it was shipped with a 61/2in barrel.Whoever cut it done a very nice job.Comes with both cylinders numbered to gun.No box,just the gun.Would make a geat shooter or carry gun.$550.00 shipped

 

[Hondo44]

What indications are there that it has been cut?


Thx,

 

[bisley32]

A letter from ruger saying it shipped as a KNR6.Thanks,B32.

 

[radicalrod]

Or possibly that the MADE IN THE 200TH YEAR OF AMERICAN LIBERTY is not centered or that the sight covers part of the roll mark....just guessing....but the letter seals the deal :lol: :lol: :lol: RR.

 

[RugerBoi]

:shock: I've handled the pistol, and there is no indication of cut-down on it. It is my OPINION that it shipped in the wrong box. RB

 

[radicalrod]

RB, do you suppose they sent the wrong letter TOO :lol: :lol: :lol: I would think that letter answers the question.....makes a GREAT SHOOTER and looks like a RARE COLLECTABLE :wink: :wink: :wink: and back to the top you go.....RR.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

The story (gossip, FWIW) on the 1976 KNR4 guns is that they were never intended to be produced. But every now and then when drilling the front sight mounting screw hole on a KNR5/6, Ruger went too deep and into the rifling. So to salvage the piece, which may have already been logged into the day book as a 5 or 6 before catching the error, they would cut it back to 4-5/8" for a do-over. This was faster than sending it back to be re-barreled. Updating the record book was low priority and sometimes didn't happen.

The end result was a factory KNR4 that was shipped in a KNR4 box, but logged as either a KNR5 or KNR6 in the records to forever be questionable as to pedigree. But Ruger wasn't making collectibles, they were making guns (and ultimately quota/units/money - shipping product and turning inventory).

Yup... I've got one of these. In it's number-matching KNR4 box. Letter sez KNR5.

 

[radicalrod]

WOW that "story" makes it even RARER.....the same way we got the SC4.....by mistake......RR.

 

[bisley32]

Anybody going to Tulsa that has aKNR4?If so,would you mind bringing it to compare?Thanks,B32.
PS
Thanks for the extra info.Makes things interesting.

 

[bisley32]

Well RR that is how I came into the world also,by mistake!Seems this KNR4 and I may have something in common!

 

[RugerBoi]

:shock: Like I told Rod in a PM, I bought that KNR4 out of an old collectors pile of Libertys because I recognized the value and hung on to it for a few years...In fact, I missed a beautiful 77/22 because I took the pistol home and raided the piggy bank to go back for the rifle and it was gone...The KNR4 in question here is the most perfect "fake" you will ever lay eyes on, so if you get a chance in Tulsa, give it a look. I'm with WMG, a "factory" expediency...And I didn't get here by mistake, I was pried out with tire irons, and tongs, hence my fine features and unabrasive nature...RB

 

[rugerguy]

do not want to burst anyones bubble, but over the years, we ( me,Walt W,Jim K , and Big Ed ) have cut down longer barreled Single Six guns for customers, and yes, some were 200th year guns, as the short ones were rare and the customer paid and got what they paid for and no way to tell the cut down job does NOT look like factory, its done the same way they did it................the ones without a letter are just another "story" and every fiream has a tale to tell, if only they could talk..........and NO the letters are NOT always "right" ( correct) people making things and recording them for other people :roll:
"never say never, and NEVER say always......" :wink:

heck the one sitting here not only has the "letter", it has the RCA cerificate, AND the sale ad from the Gun List years ago, from one of the guys who wrote ONE of the books.......... 8)

 

[RugerBoi]

:shock: So....is this one in the picture a cut down one or legit?? It looks just like the one I bought and sold and got burned on....RB

 

[rugerguy]

kept this one because it has ALL the above we mentioned,letters, RCA certificate, and sales ad...if you had all of that AND you got burned, something is rotten in Denmark or as the grandpa used to say "bought a pig in a poke..." they ALL have stories and without "provenance" as often said thats ALL it is , is a "story"..seen even the best of them get taken......as RR said, at sometime you gotta have a little belief in the people you happen to deal with........had guns over over the years that came from this guy who knew this other guy who worked at the factory and their son , sold them the guns, and again ALL stories...RUGER LORE :wink:
You want to pay BIG bucks for a gun based ONLY on a 'story' ( hearsay) go right ahead, not me.......

besides, if I can remember and recall, and relate to things that our small shops , here in Cleveland ,Ohio had done over the years since the late 60's , early 70's what about ALL the OTHER gun shops around the country,and the BIG boys who been redoing stuff since guns came out, and have done way MORE than I can even imagine, exponentially it can be staggering to the imagination...... :shock:

 

[RugerBoi]

:evil:Well, Dog lips, I've always said I would not go to prison for 20 years for knocking over a 7-11 for the week-day take, and anyone that would take the time to turn a $600 gun into a $950 gun by cutting up and machining and dressing, and fitting, just has too much time on thier hands. And might I add are not too bright...There must be better ways to make $350...As for me I'll just keep trusting my fellow man and 99% of the guys on here that say what they mean, keep to a deal, and talk to you if there is a problem that needs worked out. That's why the check was in the mail immediatly upon hearing of the letter that disqualified this gun....This Forum is still the best place for Rugers and information on the same...RB

 

[rugerguy]

wow, you sure have NO idea what the intentions of the reply was, sorry you got YOUR shorts up in a snit.........MY POINT was over the years, folks paid gunshops, gunsmiths or did it them selves to shorten a barrel to use it for their use, and two of our shops were in business during the "1976" year and at that time, there wass NO BIG bucks or anyone knew of a shortage of short barreled or long barreled model availbale, ergo the work was done, the guns sold for $200-300 RETAIL...now years later, there is a known commodity that in fact, there are few of the short barrel actually made during the "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty" and in fact for the LONGEST time, Phil Hardin, down south of us was about the ONLY guy who even collected 200 th year guns.....so pay attention to what is said, how it was said,, and what was intended...as for "Dog Lips" I like to see you say that to MY face,,,,grow up "boi" THINK !!!

Sorry to 'bisley 32' hes' only trying to sell a gun, and at a fair price, and you guys are telling him ( story??) that is may or may not be be something it is not, got to look see, both sides of the coin.............for his asking price that is about the cost of a current "new model" stainless short barrel gun, and certainly a better deal short or long for ANY "200th year " gun...............if its "for real" in the 'wrong' box then a great deal for someone, BUT PROVE IT, which is MY point!! Bisley 32 is NOT 'trying to screw or scam anyone at his price, its a GOOD one!!!
and NO, '"comparing" it,to another gun, will not tell anyone anything, if it was done 'correctly, by the book'............... :wink:

 

[bedrockfred]

you good fellows lost me here, is the gun lettered wrong? cut down? 200 year roll mark not centered? 450.00 or 550.00 or 850.00 dollar gun? someone please explain . i'am a little slow,__bedrockfred___ps- (I will take it!)-- payment sent 10/26

 

[bedrockfred]

if this is still for sale? I WILL TAKE IT!__bedrockfred____pm sent to you B32 thankyou!

 

[bisley32]

SPF

 

[bedrockfred]

payment & FFL mailed Priority today! 10/26

 

[RugerBoi]

Appologies to Bisley32 for me helping to step on this sales post with the battle of the ever present possibility of un-scrupulous gun modifiers. Thank you to Bedrockfred for buying this pistol as my next post would have been to buy the pistol back from Bisley32 after helping with the broohaha. In P.M.'s not seen on here with Rugerguy and Radical, the history and probabilities of getting a ringer were cussed and discussed. And the fact that name calling did not happen, just a misunderstanding of my warped sense of humor was resolved...my shorts never were snitted, all is well in Ruger trading land. RB

 

[mr.deerstalker]

BR,
You off your MED's again?................LOL
scott

 

[bisley32]

No apoligies needed here.I think it actually helped the sale!LOL I would like to add that RugerBoi is a 100% "Stand Up Guy"!It was a pleasure dealing with Greg and I hope we can do business together in the future.People like Greg are what make this a great forum.B32

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

My story was posted only as an FYI for what it's worth. I had no dog in the hunt. I have four early KNR4's in my collection, two of which are Liberty guns, and one of those is the one that letters as a KNR5 but came in a number-matching box with correct KNR4 label. I was pissed when I found out it didn't letter but then started researching these and found out about the legend of the factory error/correction (over-drilling the sight screw holes & shortening the barrels). Still, it does not letter. I bought it in 2001.

My verified Liberty gun shipped June of 1976 and the one that won't letter shipped September of 1976. Their serial numbers are about 5500 apart.

I thought David's price for a non-verified one was very fair. A verified Liberty KNR4 is about a $1K gun w/box, maybe $850 w/o box. I consider my boxed Liberty KNR4 that does not letter to be about a $650 piece. The one that letters has no box.

I should point out that my Liberty gun that letters has the fluted WMR cylinder which is most common. The one that does not letter has the unfluted cylinder and verified Liberty KNR4 guns with the unfluted cylinder are even rarer (I think only about 3 are known) which is why I was so excited to buy it, assuming that it would letter due to having the correct box. If it had lettered, being the unfluted cylinder version, I think it would be about a $1.5K piece (so imagine my disappointment).

Since this sale is done, I think it should be OK to post a related pic. This is one of my non-Liberty KNR4s:

 

[gunsbam69]

Thanks guys :!: I was thinking about running to town to see a show, but you just saved me $7.00 :mrgreen:

 

[bedrockfred]

i just buy what i like, idont c
ollect for resale, and sometimes i do buy the story and get a gun as a bonus! i also like all the ruger info i can get! please keep posting what you know! Thank you bisley32 for listing this for sale!--bedrockfred

 

[Hondo44]

weaselmeatgravy,
I have two KNR4s. One single cylinder star model, not a Liberty. And the other a Liberty with fluted mag cylinder. I purchased both new and have matching #'d boxes with sales receipts. If either lettered as a different barrel length I would not discount either of them since the sales receipt verifies them sold originally as KNR4s.

I would not discount your Liberty/non fluted mag cyl even with the 5 1/2" letter if you have the sales receipt verification that it was sold new with 4 5/8" barrel.

 

[americal]

I enjoyed and learned from this discussion glad gun was bought ,and great guns posted 8) 8) 8)