ULTRA-RARE S4 SINGLE-SIX

[T.A. WORKMAN]

One of only around 12 known reported! (RENE)

1975 -S4 - Ruger Single-Six .22LR Single Cylinder Revolver, 200 (?) made one year.
Identified by a "Star" stamped in front of the trigger guard on the cylinder frame.

To give you an idea of how Rare they are. An Old Model Collector was once trying to find one and he had two Rare SC-4 Revolvers.
He said he was willing to trade one of his SC-4 Revolvers & he was not asking for any money too boot!!

Complete set of Star Revolvers, S4 -S5 - S6 & S9 / KS4 - KS5 - KS6 & KS9.

Terry

 

[contender]

STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hittman]

Yeah, what Ty said!

 

[hittman]

I’m not a big single action guy but when I am ….. its 4 5/8 barrel that trips my trigger the most.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

While a long barreled SS star gun lives here, sleeping in it's factory white box, I remain enamoured by the Old Model 4 5/8" Single Sixes.........they live here too, guarding the RSSE stable..........Splitz

 

[cab32]

thanks, a trip down memory lane. I had one of these with the star and single cylinder purchased new in Orangeburg SC in either 1975 or 76. It was my first handgun purchase. I was so focused on the gun that when I also bought a hunter holster, I bought a right hander and had to swap it out for a left hand holster the next day. Sold it in 1985 when we had 2 little ones and had to make ends meet. CAB

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

thanks, a trip down memory lane. I had one of these with the star and single cylinder purchased new in Orangeburg SC in either 1975 or 76. It was my first handgun purchase. I was so focused on the gun that when I also bought a hunter holster, I bought a right hander and had to swap it out for a left hand holster the next day. Sold it in 1985 when we had 2 little ones and had to make ends meet. CAB

Sir,
You are the 1st person that I've communicated with that also had the pleasure to have owned an S4.
Sorry that you had to sell her for financial reasons, but I & others have been in that same situation before.
But I am pleased to be able to take you back in time down memory lane.
Best
Terry

 

[WendyZXZ]

Looks like a wonderful find!

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

I can play. Mine has a receipt from May 19, 1976 for the princely sum of $69.95.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I can play. Mine has a receipt from May 19, 1976 for the princely sum of $69.95.

View attachment 6006

View attachment 6007

Beautiful Package!!
I was wondering if you had one? Now I know,
Un believable price,,,outright robbery! Did you get it new or purchase later?
Terry

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Oh, I got it later, in 2013. A bit more spendy than the new price, but not too bad. Came out of a pawn shop.

 

[44Squatch]

I often wonder why I chase Old Models and not these unusual and rare types of New Models … I’m sure yourself, WMG, and Chad can help push myself over the edge one of these days.

Geez, some of these new models are near geriatric in age now.

The collection of the 8 Star models is fascinating … how long did it take you to complete that wonderful accumulation?

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I'm not up on these as a rarity - are they rare just because of the barrel length, or the * stamping? I gave my brother a new 4 5/8" Single Six in about 1978 or '79. He later sold it. Grrrr.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I often wonder why I chase Old Models and not these unusual and rare types of New Models … I’m sure yourself, WMG, and Chad can help push myself over the edge one of these days.

Geez, some of these new models are near geriatric in age now.

The collection of the 8 Star models is fascinating … how long did it take you to complete that wonderful accumulation?

Little over three years, I got real lucky on the S4. A friend spotted it at Gander Mountain (interesting story), paid $699.00, it came in with the box but it accidently got thrown in the trash and was gone.
You are correct in the fact that there are some Very Rare & interesting New Models out there worth chasing.
Best
Terry

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I'm not up on these as a rarity - are they rare just because of the barrel length, or the * stamping? I gave my brother a new 4 5/8" Single Six in about 1978 or '79. He later sold it. Grrrr.

The single cylinder STAR guns were only made one year in 1975 in Blue & Stainless, with the 4 5/8" & 9 1/2" guns being the rarest in both groups.
Ruger tried it again in 1985 only in blue models, these were marked with an "Arrow" or also called a "House" stamped in front of the trigger guard.
Terry

 

[6GUNSONLY]

So it's the single cylinder and * or ∆ that makes it rare, not just the barrel length? Is that right?

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Correct plus the numbers made. Off the top of my head S4-200 made (?) S9-2000 KS4- 900 & KS9-2400. Not sure with out checking my notes on the
the S5-S6 & KS5-KS6 numbers but they are very scarce. Plus they were only made one year! If you rank them in order they would be S4 - KS4 S9 & KS9
as to Rarity. For along time I have doubted that there were actually 200 of the S4 made, but I can not prove different.
Terry

 

[hittman]

Geez, some of these new models are near geriatric in age now.

Yep and I think some of the Six Series double actions are now C&R eligible too.
Well, unless you talk to a local gun store owner I met recently but that’s a different story. LOL

There is LOTS and LOTS to learn about the early NMs.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Interesting fact on production numbers:

For the stainless 9.5" guns, the convertible KNR9 is rarer than the single cylinder KS9.

KNR9: about 1500
KS9: about 2400

Quantities per the RENE Ref.

 

[mhblaw]

What was the purpose, or significance, of the star?

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

What was the purpose, or significance, of the star?

See the stamping on the manual in my picture. It indicates a single cylinder gun, sold only with a .22 LR cylinder.

There are plenty of Single Sixes out there with only the LR cylinder because the WMR cylinder was lost, so the star tells you it is a legit LR-only gun.

 

[G2]

Terry ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!! Thanks for Sharing.

I really like the way you have a custom display,
However this would drive me nuts,
How to put them in the rack.
As you have done, or, Low/High (opposite direction), Stainless/Blue repeat,…

…. ohhhh the madness.

 

[Bigbore5]

My 1971 4-5/8" single six seems to be pretty rare too. Who knew there were so many ultra rare single sixes?

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum BigBore5,, (and neighbor)

Those of us who collect OM Rugers know about the rarer variations quite a bit.

 

[Bigbore5]

I'd say so. You're the one who told me what it is worth!

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

My 1971 4-5/8" single six seems to be pretty rare too. Who knew there were so many ultra rare single sixes?

Welcome to the forum!
Which gun do you have?
RSS4 - About 5,000 made, again what type? Very Scarce
or
RSS4X - 800 to 1000 made depending on what type you have. Rare
or
SC-4 About 197 made - Ultra Rare
S4 About 200 made - Ultra Rare
I have both of those Old Models also, but was never able to find an SC-4.
Got a picture to share?

Best,
Terry

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Nice stuff, guys. Closest I can come is an OM RSS4X.

 

[larryofcc]

KS 4 With the last set of factory Lett grips. Probably my favorite gun. Oh, I have the original walnut grips. Big Larry

 

[rugnelli]

The star was marked on the revolvers that had only one cylinder from the factory.

 

[hittman]

The only 4 5/8 Single Six I have is in the 1350xx serial range. I cant afford those new fangeled shootin irons you youngsters buy up!