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

Help Support Ruger Forum:

Joined
Dec 11, 2002
Messages
8,966
Location
Ohio , U.S.A.
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...

arst-4300153serang.jpg





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


rss9163183rt.jpg


rss9163183serial.jpg





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


BC-4alphM-638serial.jpg



and 'alphabet' Bearcat, in the "M" letter series,638, but alas, NO records for this gun, it was "scrapped by the factory ??........" :roll:
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2002
Messages
8,966
Location
Ohio , U.S.A.
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:
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2002
Messages
8,966
Location
Ohio , U.S.A.
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

Buckeye
Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Messages
1,055
Location
Rugerville,WA. U.S.A.
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
09calendar009.jpg
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2002
Messages
8,966
Location
Ohio , U.S.A.
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

Hawkeye
Joined
Jan 22, 2001
Messages
5,993
Location
Dawson, Iowa
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
 

radicalrod

Hunter
Joined
Jan 9, 2004
Messages
3,567
Location
Bowling Green, Oh
I shoulda bought the pair RD 18 picked up the D and NON D BC4.....Russ ya know I want them :D :D :D what's it gunna take :lol: :lol: :lol: see ya RR.
 

contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,142
Location
Lake Lure NC USA
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

Buckeye
Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Messages
1,055
Location
Rugerville,WA. U.S.A.
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

Hunter
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
2,456
Location
Vinton, VA
RPM Enterprises":3uun6fsk said:
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.
 

Latest posts

Top