What constitutes a Flat Top?

[Bob Wright]

I've been guilty of calling the original, and New Model, Single Sixes Flat Tops. Now I see some folks being called to task for doing the same thing.

I guess I figured a Flat Top as opposed to the grooved top strap of so many revolvers without target sights.

So, this being the case, that is, the Single Six is not a Flat Top, then what, pray tell, is it? My meager knowledge of that series of revolver revolves around the terms as Single Six and Super Single Six. And, I believe there is/was a Vaquero Single Six?


Bob Wright?

 

[Ale-8(1)]

It's generally accepted that the original .357 and .44 Blackhawks with the flat top straps are known as "flattops". Those made after the introduction of the protective "bumps" around the rear sights after about 1963 are not. The Super Blackhawks were introduced with the "bumps" and were never "flattops".

Some folks called the early fixed-sight Single-Sixes "flattops" but this is not commonly accepted within the community.

There was a model variation of the New Model Single-Six that had the frame and sight configuration (and I think the fake case-hardening) of the originals that are occasionally referred to as "Vaquero Single-Sixes" although Ruger didn't market them as such.

 

[Lee Martin]

I consider the OM 357s, the 50th Anniversary 357s, the NM 44 Specials, and the 1956 - 1962 non-Super 44's to be flattops.

 

[Lee Martin]

...forgot the limited run of flattop 41 Mags. That said, I'm sure I'm forgetting one or two flattop models.

 

[RugerHound]

I consider the OM 357s, the 50th Anniversary 357s, the NM 44 Specials, and the 1956 - 1962 non-Super 44's to be flattops.

The OM .357 revolvers came in "Flattop" and "Protected Sight" versions, so it would be confusing to some to lump all the OM 357's into a single category.

 

[Lee Martin]

Good point. I meant to say the OM 357's without humps.

 

[RugerHound]

Double Post

 

[Sugar River]

Don't forget the current crop of 45 convertible flat tops.


Pete

 

[Wyandot Jim]

So, this being the case, that is, the Single Six is not a Flat Top, then what, pray tell, is it? My meager knowledge of that series of revolver revolves around the terms as Single Six and Super Single Six. And, I believe there is/was a Vaquero Single Six?

Well they are "Ruger Revolver" real early or "Ruger Single-Six"
Non drift adjustable rear sight "New Model Single-Six" might look like a Baby Vaquero but not called that by Ruger. If they would have wanted it to be called a Vaquero it would be stamped so on the frame. :wink:

 

[Lee Martin]

How about we say any Ruger with a top-strap profile like this?

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Good idea, Lee. A picture always helps.

I did completely overlook all the recent New Model centerfire flattops that have been and still are being produced. I was only addressing the original Old Model versions.

When the term "flattop" became a common descriptor of the early Old Model centerfires, there was a tendency to use the same description for the early, drift-adjustable-rear-sight Single-Sixes in the same manner to enhance the interest and desired value of the old Sixes, particularly by those not closely familiar with the Ruger lineup. A certain amount of "marketing" was employed, and we still see it today on the gun sales sites.

 

[RugerHound]

The Single Six old models came originally with Drift Adjustable sights such as the photo below shows: (These are sometimes referred to as "Fixed" sights, but that's a bit of a misnomer IMO) As you can see, the topstrap is not flat... The Old Model Single Sixes with this style sight are known as RSSxx, while the protected sight models were Super Single Sixes. (See next photos for a protected sight configuration)

The Old Models had two configurations - The original "Flat Top" and the more modern "Protected Sight" configurations. Here's a photo that shows a side by side comparison of two Old Model Blackhawks. Note the similarity between the Single Six topstrap which has angled edges & Maggie (the top gun in the photo) which is a Protected Sight Version. The gun below is an Old Model Flattop.

Then there are the real "Fixed" sight models such as the Vaquero, some New Model Single Sixes and other DA revolvers. The photo below is of a GP 100 true Fixed Sight revolver:

And yes, there are New Model flattops, New Models with Protected Sights, New Models with Drift Adjustable sights and New Models with Fixed sights.

 

[flatgate]

A certain amount of "marketing" was employed, and we still see it today on the gun sales sites.

Well said, and, IMHO, some plain ol' "lack of knowledge" is frequently encountered.

Books, Laddies, ya' gots to have some books.........

flatgate

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I think this thread is one of the better ones on the subject because of the good pictures submitted.

We do have a pretty well-informed membership, willing to share information, but the recommendation to "buy the books" is still valid. There's a lotta good information out there . . .

 

[Bob Wright]

Aha! yo comprendo!

So it has to be a Ruger, and centerfire, to be called a Flat Top.

Somehow, I sort of surmised that. Just wanted to see it in print.

Muchas Gracias, mis amigos!


Bob Wright

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Well, there was a Flat Top Target in the First Generation Colt SAA line, so we can't forget those, either. They are highly sought after. They were so popular that Colt later brought out a similar version called the New Frontier, of which there is a current version available.

It just never ends . . .

 

[Bob Wright]

Maybe if we adopted the convention of Flat Top versus flat top, with the capitalized designation referring to the Ruger revolver of that type, and the lower case designation applying to all other revolvers not having the grooved top strap?

Bob Wright

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Personally, I'd stay away from the use of the expression "flattop" for anything other than the ones actually having the flat top strap and adjustable rear sight as pictured and described here, including those New Models so built.

There's enough confusion already without adding subtle distinctions.

It's either a "flattop" or it isn't.

JMHO

 

[Chief_10Beers]

...forgot the limited run of flattop 41 Mags. That said, I'm sure I'm forgetting one or two flattop models.

50th Annivervary 44 Magnum FT ...............................

 

[montegomx70]

the top is flat,sorry i had to say it :wink:

 

[RugerHound]

Personally, I'd stay away from the use of the expression "flattop" for anything other than the ones actually having the flat top strap and adjustable rear sight as pictured and described here, including those New Models so built.

There's enough confusion already without adding subtle distinctions.

It's either a "flattop" or it isn't.

JMHO

+10! The terminology is what it is and has been since long before many of us were involved with Ruger collecting.

 

[Bob Wright]

Ya'll have taught me one thing: To keep my mouth shut on the subject when around collectors!

I was calling them flat tops even before there were Rugers.

Bob Wright

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Then you weren't talking about Ruger Flattops.

There's no "right or wrong" here. It's just that the nomenclature has been applied to the early Ruger centerfires since the "post '62" guns came out . . . actually, since the first Super Blackhawks came out in 1959 . . . as a way to quickly identify the originals from the newer versions. It's essentially an accepted part of the Ruger hobby community. "Flattop" was not applied to the early Single-Sixes because there was no need to distinguish them from anything else . . . they were .22 rimfires, not centerfires, and there was no confusion concerning them.

Nothing personal here. The question was asked, and discussed, and answered. It's all good. And hopefully we all know what we're talking about. Hopefully.

All JMHO.

 

[Bob Wright]

We do have a pretty well-informed membership, willing to share information, but the recommendation to "buy the books" is still valid. There's a lotta good information out there . . .

So I went to my books, Shooting Times "Guide to Ruger Firearms" and in an article 50 Years of Ruger Single Sixes by Lane Pearce, I read:

"By 1953 the Ruger Single Six (catalog No/ RSS) was a reality.Reminiscent of the Colt Single Action Army (SAA) revolver, the scaled down Ruger version was chambered for .22 rimfire ammunition. (Short, Long, or Long Rifle) It also incorporated several new design improvements over the SAA. These included a "flattop" frame with a windage adjustable rear sight.............."


Forgive my one more lash at whipping a dead horse.........


Bob Wright

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Pearce's description was intended to differentiate between the contour used by Ruger and the old "gutter groove" in the top strap of the Colt predecessors.

Dougan's marvelous book devotes an entire chapter to "The Beautiful Flattops" and the definitive ongoing Ruger collector publication "Red Eagle News Exchange' (RENE) classifies the early centerfires, both .357 and .44 versions, as "flattops".

Call 'em anything you like. The horse is, indeed, dead.

 

[THE .41 MAN]

Most of you old guys probably have flattops to go with your flattops if'n you have any hair at all!!! :twisted:

 

[Bob Wright]

Pearce's description was intended to differentiate between the contour used by Ruger and the old "gutter groove" in the top strap of the Colt predecessors.

So was mine.

Bob Wright