RugerSociety.com

Ruger8r wrote: ↑Thu Jun 27, 2024 9:16 am Numbers 11 & 12 were shipped to Mel Torme; wonder where those are. I had read that he was a Colt SAA collector but I didn't know he had a connection to Ruger. Was he acquainted with WBR?

??????

Would be fun to hear the story!!

Jay

I have read where Mel Torme was a fast draw expert. Maybe he wanted a matched pair of Ruger Single-Sixes to practice with.

I believe numbers 11 & 12 are in Skiatook, OK.

Hello Guys,

The #11 & #12 joined my collection years ago. They do have a very interesting provenance, a couple years ago a comprehensive article about them appeared in the RCA JOURNAL. Both are minty and in the boxes with Ruger ivory grip panels. The pair have been displayed several times, and received a Certificate of Recognition from the NRA.

regards, John

Thank you for sharing that Mr. Dougan. What a beautiful and important part of Ruger history as the first consecutive pair of Sixes, and having celebrity provenance. Very cool!
I noticed that the production information in the list posted here does not jibe with yours. All part of the charm of Ruger collecting, I think, and grist for many interesting conversations.
Thanks, again.
Owen

johncdougan wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2024 6:21 am Hello Guys,

The #11 & #12 joined my collection years ago. They do have a very interesting provenance, a couple years ago a comprehensive article about them appeared in the RCA JOURNAL. Both are minty and in the boxes with Ruger ivory grip panels. The pair have been displayed several times, and received a Certificate of Recognition from the NRA.

regards, John

John and Don,
Thank you for posting about these two RSS's.
While most all of the founders of ROCS know the stories of these guns and have seen them displayed,
guys like Owen & myself, plus I'm sure many others newer to Ruger collecting, appreciate the help learning about them.

Jay

Ruger8r wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:40 am I noticed that the production information in the list posted here does not jibe with yours. All part of the charm of Ruger collecting, I think, and grist for many interesting conversations.
Thanks, again.
Owen

Owen,
I used the "production" date information in John's RP&R book, which shows the #12 was made Dec 15th 1953, the first day of Ruger revolver production.
In Don's book "Special Editions of The Ruger Single-Six" he shows the "inspection" date for both in March 1954. I would surmise they are both correct.

Jay

Hello Guys,

The guns were assembled and shipped at different times. They were always a matched pair. Mel Torme believed that they were a gift. Ruger died declaring that he expected Torme to pay for the guns, which he never did. This is all documented in a letter from Larry Wilson who had first hand knowledge of this. Wilson wanted to include images of the pair in Ruger & His Guns, but Bill wouldn't allow it because he was still angry about the whole affair.

I learned about the pair while doing research in 1980 and told Hank Williams Jr. that he should approach Torme, which he did and bought these and a couple other Ruger revolvers from him.

John

Wow, what a great story! And, yes, accommodating us newbies is greatly appreciated, as Jay said.
Didn't mean to hijack the thread but...one wonders if they were friends or only met socially and if bourbon was involved.

Owen,

Man, I'm glad you asked about these two guns!

John,
Thanks for a great history lesson on Ruger & Hank Jr.
I've seen Bocephus in concert a few times and used to buy the cassette's
of his albums back in the 80's..........
In those days, Jr. sang about "Jim Beam Whisky", so maybe him & Mel had a drink over the negotiations!!
Cool to think about.

I hope to keep this thread going and learning as long as possible.

Jay