Vaquero style Single-Six article

[chet15]

Well, with the introduction of the Wrangler revolver, we are betting that demand for Ruger's other .22 revolver models will take a serious hit, and believe the Vaquero style Single Six is probably on the endangered list within the next year or two.
So, I am beginning extensive work on an article on these.
One of the biggest quandaries, since so few of these are seen these days, is that we would like to get a closer serial number change of when Ruger moved the "SOUTHPORT" address to the bottom of the barrel, when the NEWPORT address was begun with the word "NEWPORT" in a much larger font than the rest of the rollmark, and when Ruger went to the NEWPORT address with the word NEWPORT in the same size font as the rest of the address. These changes all took place in a very small window between 268-50793 and 268-54905. The changes wouldn't be that big a deal except the rare NR4FL is spread out over those three varieties by only around 450 examples.
If anybody has ANY MODEL of fixed sight Vaquero style Single-Six between 268-50793 and 268-54905, please contact chet15 at [email protected]
Thanks!!
Chet15

 

[ndcowboy]

Wish I could help but mine is 268-6xxxx.

 

[chet15]

Wish I could help but mine is 268-6xxxx.

Maybe you can still help. Does it have blued steel hammer and trigger or are both of those parts polished white (stainless)?
Chet15

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Chad,

NR4-F #268-51219 & 268-51224, both Type III pre-lock, WRM bottom of barrel, 2007, Southport.

NR4F-L #268-51773 & 268-51774, both Type IV Ruger internal lock, WRM bottom of barrel, 2007 Southport.

NR4F-L #268-54487, Large Newport font, Lock, March 2009 Newport.

NR4F-L #268-55055, Small Newport font, Lock, August 2009 Newport.

Terry

 

[chet15]

Chad,

NR4-F #268-51219 & 268-51224, both Type III pre-lock, WRM bottom of barrel, 2007, Southport.

NR4F-L #268-51773 & 268-51774, both Type IV Ruger internal lock, WRM bottom of barrel, 2007 Southport.

NR4F-L #268-54487, Large Newport font, Lock, March 2009 Newport.

NR4F-L #268-55055, Small Newport font, Lock, August 2009 Newport.

Terry

Thanks Terry! That really helps on the Lg. Newport/Sm. Newport change!
Does 268-55055 have a chrome moly hammer and trigger (blued front and back of each) or are they polished white (stainless?)
Chad

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Chad,

NR4-F #268-51219 & 268-51224, both Type III pre-lock, WRM bottom of barrel, 2007, Southport.

NR4F-L #268-51773 & 268-51774, both Type IV Ruger internal lock, WRM bottom of barrel, 2007 Southport.

NR4F-L #268-54487, Large Newport font, Lock, March 2009 Newport.

NR4F-L #268-55055, Small Newport font, Lock, August 2009 Newport.

Terry

Thanks Terry! That really helps on the Lg. Newport/Sm. Newport change!
Does 268-55055 have a chrome moly hammer and trigger (blued front and back of each) or are they polished white (stainless?)
Chad

Chad,
Back & top of hammer is blue,,trigger is polished entirely SS.
Terry

 

[ndcowboy]

Wish I could help but mine is 268-6xxxx.

Maybe you can still help. Does it have blued steel hammer and trigger or are both of those parts polished white (stainless)?
Chet15

Trigger is polished white. Hammer is polished on the sides and blued on the top/back. Hope that makes sense.

 

[rmc25]

I have a 268- model but it is a case colored BNV-224-SI and not NR4-F or NR4F-L #268. Any interest in these numbers?
rmc

 

[chet15]

Wish I could help but mine is 268-6xxxx.

Maybe you can still help. Does it have blued steel hammer and trigger or are both of those parts polished white (stainless)?
Chet15

Trigger is polished white. Hammer is polished on the sides and blued on the top/back. Hope that makes sense.

Send me a PM of the full serial number. I believe the hammers are full stainless now.
Chet15

 

[chet15]

I have a 268- model but it is a case colored BNV-224-SI and not NR4-F or NR4F-L #268. Any interest in these numbers?
rmc

Only if they are in that 268-50xxx to 268-56xxx range. I'm pretty well covered on the Sn's, gotta get the variant changes figured out though.
Chet15

 

[chet15]

If I have enough space in the upcoming November RENE I'll be doing the article on Vaquero style Single-Sixes. If you previously contacted me about adding information to this article with serial number examples you have, please throw those by me again so I can be sure the info is included.
I am particularly interested in the blue locking models in the 268-50xxx to 268-55xxx range.
I would also like to better pinpoint the change from carbon steel hammer with blue front and back to a stainless hammer, as well as the change from the carbon steel trigger with blue front and back to a stainless hammer. And of course a better changeover point for the change from rollmarked frame and serial number to lasered frame and serial number.
Lots of neat info coming in this article!!
Chet15

 

[chet15]

And now, TA Workman has brought to our attention that guns up to at least 268-02087 have an all blue trigger!
Chet15