Super Rare Bearcat with Box

[IndianCent]

This is one super rare cat. When I purchased it, I had no idea that it was that rare. It came with box and papers as shown in like new condition. I am also including the Jay Scott grips, that are new in box with this sale. After much research I found out that this is not only a duplicate 990... serial number, it is also like two others known with a factory restamped serial number.
In addition to these abnormalities, the eagle found on the barrel does not contain the S&R, it is left blank. Attached is a picture of the paragraph about this variety on page 35 of the fourth addition of "Reference of Firearms, Volume One" written by Chad Hiddleston.

Correction: I just added a picture of an article by John Dougan from his book "Ruger Pistols & Revolvers" page 187. It states that the serial range 990000 to 991198 is an out of sequence run, rather than a duplicate run as described above.

What is included in the sale:

• Bearcat serial number 990803
• The original box
• The manual
• Warranty card
• Copy of the Ruger letter of authenticity
• Original Jay Scott box for the grips
• Set of Jay Scott grips

Price: $ 850.00

I can email more pictures on request, my email is [email protected].

Shipping will be $40 to the lower 48 states only, from my FFL to yours or C&R is fine were permitted. I am not a dealer, payment by USPS money order only.

 

[PapaDetail]

Nice gun! Why do you think this is a duplicate serial number and also a restamp? Just curious and may help add to your listings informaiton.

Thanks!

 

[IndianCent]

Nice gun! Why do you think this is a duplicate serial number and also a restamp? Just curious and may help add to your listings informaiton.

Thanks!

Good question! It not a duplicate run, rather than an out of sequence group assembled in April of 1968 (numbered from 990000-991198). I am attaching the article from John Dougan's book " Ruger Pistols and Revolvers" page 187. Thanks for pointing that out.
Actually Chad Hiddleson suggests that the two restamped guns and mine should have been marked as "S" guns, as they had deficiencies that would describe "S" guns. Here is John's article, I will try to update my ad. Thanks again

 

[chet15]

At some time in approximately April and May 1968, while the 6-digit out-of-sequence 99xxxx guns were being made as were the D98xxx range guns, Ruger was having some sort of issue. Personally, I believe it was the casting anomalies found around the area of the serial number after the final finish was put on (before the serial number was stamped). Shown here left to right are two examples of those goobers around the serial number that did not have the serial numbers ground off. Note also the light stamping of the serial numbers.
The rework guns will often times show signs of grinding through the serial number. Our 990299 has a trough 1/4" wide on the flat surface of the right side of the frame from under the recoil shield/gate area through the serial number. The serial numbers of these reworked guns are also heavily stamped.
So, apparently the guns with the goobers in the serial number area were set aside, and a few months later in October 1968 had the serial numbers ground off and restamped. This time the serial numbers are much heavily stamped. But something also happened between April/May 1968 and October 1968.... Ruger changed the barrel rollmark from an eagle logo that had the SR in the center of the eagle to a rollmark without the SR. This is evidence that the guns were set aside before the barrel address had ever been applied.
Having such drastic measures done to a gun, these should have left as factory "seconds", not unlike the reasoning for why the group of Lightweight Single-Sixes were set aside in 1956/1957 and reworked to be shipped out in 1964/1965.
There are a few reworked 99xxxx guns known and only one D98xxx reworked gun known (D98251). There should also be a few normal serial number guns from 95000 to 105000 that were reworked, but haven't come accross one of those yet.