Unusual finds...........

[rugerguy]

first time we came across one of these, out of sequence? duplicate? large sized serial numbered RST-4's shipped July 1965 per the factory...

OK, then we also got this one Sunday, same show, a "late shipped" RSS9W (shipped May 1962 22 lr ONLY.....)

and then to really "confuse" things, we finally picked up this one , came in at the close of the show...............

and 'alphabet' Bearcat, in the "M" letter series,638, but alas, NO records for this gun, it was "scrapped by the factory ??........" :roll:

 

[flatgate]

Good stuff, Dan. Interesting story on the Bearcat, especially since it's a very nice example!

flatgate

 

[rugerguy]

Yes, we wondered "why" if it was something "wrong" with it or a "second" or "used" but this is NOT the case, the gun is far too nice for that....??it is a the "wrong" box, the box is also an alphabet gun, but it is marked with an "R" 668............gee, maybe they "escaped " from Tennessee.... :roll:

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Had to look up that auto to see what you were talking about. There it is in RENE, 300000 to 301500 as duplicates of T678 guns made in the 1/16" digit days. Nifty!

 

[rugerguy]

yessir, most people have NO clue just what that RST actually is...the large serial numbers threw us when we saw it, just made no sense, and had to make sure the receiver was NOT marked as a "Mark I", and maybe had been rebarreled, nope........thats why I took the picture of the right side of the gun.........

 

[RPM Enterprises]

Dan, Findley and I have had several talks about these RST4's. Here are some notes on those guns.

#300140 shipped RST4
300421 " " RST4
300639 T678
300140, 301060, 300125 and 300639 all shipped as T678's all shipped 1962 on one factory letter.
301146 RCA letter dated 7-30-81 as T678 Aug. 1962
301146Factory letter dated 11-5-88 as RST4 Oct. 1965
301146 Factory letter dated 9-28-87 as T678 Aug. 1962
300522 shipped T678
300514 factory letter shipped as T678 Aug. 1962
300514 factory letter shipped as RST4 June 28 1965
Also letter on 300514 has the name "Bush Caldwell" who ever that may be? It took several attempts to letter 300514 as a RST4.
Also 300037,300841, 300845,300959,300968,300979 and 300966 all confirmed as T678's shipped to RCMP (Canada)

For those who may be a bit confused the 300000 range was for the Mark 1 Target pistols that had the small serial numbers 1/16". The "D" guns (RST4's) that are not marked D have the larger 1/8" sized serial numbers. As you can see from the examples that the Mark 1's were shipped 1962 and the RST4's in the same range were shipped few years later 1965. Also when you do try and get a letter on the RST4's in the 300000 range be sure to tell them it is an auto pistol. The magnum single sixes are also in that range. Finding these variations is what makes collecting interesting.. :shock:

300514

 

[rugerguy]

Thank you Rick, good 'details'............and a very nice example there also.....
yes, this one would'letter' as the RST-4, and shipped as we said in July 1965...very interesting....surprised they did NOT'hand stamp the "D" being they were up to 2 years later ,shipped.....

 

[chet15]

I'm finding there were several instances where Ruger did not stamp a "D" on their duplicates (entire serial number blocks!) and I'm not just talking about those duplicate OM .41 Mags in the 10395 to 10895 range! Details to come in Book 2! I think in several instances the only reason the records show them with a "D" is to keep their serial number listings straight (for less confusion among employees). But they sure didn't mark them all with a "D", and there would have been obvious knowledge of these occurrances before they shipped them out.
Chet15

 

[Ale-8(1)]

So . . . how many collections of "same number, different model" are there? Sounds like an interesting, if unmentioned, collecting field.

 

[rugerguy]

oh it can be done...........

RST-4 and the "D" Mark I , T678...........

just really tough to do it thats all, so many guns, so little time.... :roll:

 

[flatgate]

All you need now is the Lightweight Single-Six!



flatgate

 

[radicalrod]

I shoulda bought the pair RD 18 picked up the D and NON D BC4.....Russ ya know I want them what's it gunna take :lol: :lol: :lol: see ya RR.

 

[jussbad]

Rick

What's the story behind those RCA Buckles? I need a couple more to fill this cabinet up.

 

[contender]

I'll hijack this a little.
Jussbad; I see several missing buckles, but most notable,, the shield type, 30th Anniv one, Is yours the one with or without the "registered" mark?

 

[RPM Enterprises]

Gary, The black finish one I would have to look and see how many made. Seems is was about 250 but don't hold me to it. The other one is a proto type and only one was produced. It has a RCA letter with it and explains that it was awarded for some display. After this weeked "I will be at the drag races all weekend" I will find the info on it and update it... Tyrone those 30 year without the "R" is pretty rare. I will post a pic of the two variations also..

 

[street]

Gary, The black finish one I would have to look and see how many made. Seems is was about 250 but don't hold me to it. The other one is a proto type and only one was produced. It has a RCA letter with it and explains that it was awarded for some display. After this weeked "I will be at the drag races all weekend" I will find the info on it and update it... Tyrone those 30 year without the "R" is pretty rare. I will post a pic of the two variations also..

The Prototype Belt Buckle was won by me at the Monroeville, Pa Gun Show back in the 1980s, I think it was the 1980s, could have been the early 1990s, not sure. I was told that the RCA was going to start selling them, but changed their minds, so this is the only one made. It was giving as a prize at the RCA Collectors show. I sold it at the Harrisburg show in 2008.




All Vaqueros are New Models even the Old Model Vaqueros are New Models.