What gun do I have here?

[unionprez]

Would appreciate some help identifying if this gun is factory issued or it has been redone. It's a Mark I target pistol with a 5.5" bull barrel. It has a deep, rich bluing and all the lettering on the gun is in gold. If it has been re-blued, it was a professional job, very well done. It was produced in 1979. Talked to Ruger and they couldn't figure it out either. I would be grateful for any info, thanks.

 

[WIL TERRY]

it's re-done. You can bet the ranch on it !!!
And so it goes...

 

[hittman]

Talked to Ruger and they couldn't figure it out either.

Makes me think it's a custom or Ruger didn't have enough info to make a determination (we don't either ... yet) or you talked to the night janitor.

Ruger verifies these things by you sending $10 and a letter request; generally not by phone.

Post some pics.
Post the S/N.
What do the gold filled letters say?

 

[unionprez]

Thanks for the responses guys. I talked to a guy from customer service at Ruger, I thought I would see what the educated and experienced minds on the forum thought. I think Wil may be right because there is no warning on the barrel and this gun came out in 1979 (ser.# 315-99xxx), but I saw one on gunbroker that had the same gold lettering and type of bluing. That gun was a mark I target with the tapered barrel and was made in 1965. hittman, the only lettering on the gun says: Ruger 22cal. long rifle automatic pistol Mark I on one side and just the serial number on the other side, both sides lettered in gold. the one on gunbroker from 1965 said it was a commemorative, but I don't think Ruger had any kind of commemorative in 1965. Thanks again for your responses.

 

[hittman]

this gun came out in 1979 (ser.# 315-99xxx)\

There is no 315-prefix MKI; or MK anything that I know of.
Pics are needed.
Without a letter from Ruger ...... it's all speculation.
Did I mention pics are needed?

Hang tight ..... others will chime in that know more than I do.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
There used to be an inexpensive kit where you could add "gold" to the lettering of any gun. I think the brand name was "Bonanza!"
But,, also,, as noted,, by 1979,,, there were warnings on the guns.

 

[unionprez]

Sorry, hittman. My fingers were not doing what my mind was telling them. the serial number is 15-99xxx.

 

[unionprez]

Sorry guys, no idea how to even start posting pictures, not real computer savvy.

 

[Highstandardguy]

Looks like you have a 1979 T-512. What has, or hasn’t been done to it in the intervening 39 years would be anyones guess.

 

[41magnum]

Welcome to the Forum!
There used to be an inexpensive kit where you could add "gold" to the lettering of any gun. I think the brand name was "Bonanza!"
.

Yep, the kits also came in silver and I customized many guns for folks back in my 'smithing days.