US stamped Mark I

[Muley Gil]

My mom has a Mark I target model that is stamped "U.S." on top. I am aware of these, but don't know much about them. Any idea how many were purchased? Serial number is 3046xx.

I shot this pistol a number of years ago and it is, of course, very accurate. One of my dad's best friends passed a number of years ago and left him all of his guns. Jim had been a target shooter in the DC area and had several nice target guns.

I already have his 3 digit .357 Blackhawk flattop and a High Standard Citation.

 

[Bkat]

My mom has a Mark I target model that is stamped "U.S." on top. I am aware of these, but don't know much about them. Any idea how many were purchased? Serial number is 3046xx.

I shot this pistol a number of years ago and it is, of course, very accurate. One of my dad's best friends passed a number of years ago and left him all of his guns. Jim had been a target shooter in the DC area and had several nice target guns.

I already have his 3 digit .357 Blackhawk flattop and a High Standard Citation.

According to Chad Hiddleson's book, and if I'm adding his numbers correctly, there were just short of 5,000 Mark I 6 7/8" target models contracted by the Army. They were produced between 1956 and 1963 under five different contracts. Your mom's gun was evidently produced as part of the final contract for 400 guns, according to your serial number.

Bkat

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Your T678 is a hard variation to find. Few made and few released to general public market........ 8)In "that" serial number range.........Mine lives "there" as well and came from the late Lynn Luger estate via Crosier.

 

[SATCOM]

And many were remodified (welded on silencers etc.) to allow back in civilian hands. This one had barrel, front sight, and rear sight changed from T678 configuration to a Standard configuration. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=358789729 See Mark I stamping?

Nice find!

SATCOM

 

[Hotel1Actual]

I may be wrong, but I believe I saw a Ruger 678 in Korea in 1989.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

And many were remodified (welded on silencers etc.) to allow back in civilian hands. This one had barrel, front sight, and rear sight changed from T678 configuration to a Standard configuration. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=358789729 See Mark I stamping?

Nice find!

SATCOM

Maybe so, but, maybe not. Could have been built as shown due to fulfillment of gov't contract and no "plain" receivers available at the time, so a Mk I was used in place of. Just sayin....... :?:

 

[PALADIN85020]

When I served on active duty with the Army (1961-1963), I shot on a pistol team at Sandia Base, in Albuquerque. Our issue .22 pistols were Mark I 6 7/8" guns. They were accurate enough, but I found it hard to compete with privately-owned Hi-Standard "ray guns." I wished I could have afforded one of those beauties, but they were out of my reach on a lieutenant's salary. As I remember, we ran a test with the Rugers to see if there was any accuracy difference between those equipped with a Ruger factory compensator, and those without them. The test showed that for accuracy, it was best NOT to use the compensator; it opened up the groups by quite a bit.

This gun is an exact duplicate of the gun I was issued, but without the "U.S." stamp. It was produced in the same time period of my service (1961).

And this is what drove me nuts and made me envious as hell:

Sad to say, there was no comparison in features, ergonomics, function or accuracy.

John

 

[SATCOM]

PALADIN85020,

Nice gun(s).

Could you compare the prices between the Ruger and the High Standard back when you were on the shooting team?

Thanks.

SATCOM

 

[RPM Enterprises]

I will have examples of all 6 contracts and some U.S. marked Mark II's at the Dallas Arms show in September on display. I would guess this is the most complete U.S. Auto Pistol display in the country. A rare second contract gun and a Navey Seal gun that letters as a KMK512N. From what I am told only two of these are in private collections :mrgreen: Also a contract 6 gun that only about 9 are in private collections..

 

[PALADIN85020]

PALADIN85020,

Nice gun(s).

Could you compare the prices between the Ruger and the High Standard back when you were on the shooting team?

Thanks.

SATCOM

I honestly don't remember, but the Ruger was free for my use, and the Hi-Standard was WAY above my pay grade. I remember paying $36 in those days for a beat-up war surplus 1911A1, and I had a Ruger standard 6" that I paid $27.50 for a year earlier. I suppose the Mark Is were more, but I don't know how much. The Hi-Standards were probably over $125.00 at that time (1962), but on a monthly salary of $222.30 a month and a family to support, it was really out of my reach!

John

 

[PALADIN85020]

I will have examples of all 6 contracts and some U.S. marked Mark II's at the Dallas Arms show in September on display. I would guess this is the most complete U.S. Auto Pistol display in the country. A rare second contract gun and a Navey Seal gun that letters as a KMK512N. From what I am told only two of these are in private collections :mrgreen: Also a contract 6 gun that only about 9 are in private collections..

I have a Navy SEAL Mark II which was from a contract overrun of those pistols. I'm pretty sure I've posted a picture of it on this forum before. Here it is again. I believe the contract overrun was about 50 pistols, and they were offered only to members of the Ruger collectors organization.

John

 

[SATCOM]

PALADIN85020,

Thanks, that sounds about the right ratio from Ruger lore and old magazine articles.


RPM Enterprises,

That is going to be some display!!!!!

SATCOM

 

[RPM Enterprises]

This gun is one of two known in private collections. It letters as a KMK512N.. The RCA over run guns 84 of them letter as a KMK512B.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Fascinating, indeed, Rick! A very very rare Bird, indeed. :wink:

 

[radicalrod]

OK you guys are going to make me post a pic of my US T514 aren't you :lol: :lol: :lol:







And this is for the non believers.....

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Great gun! and, Yupper, there is that Kim Pritula initialed Vogel signature...........Sure she did all the research. 8) Plus, love those threads on the end of the barrel. Wish the gun could tell us it's "story"............ 8) 8)