OM nickel plated Single Six

[Ruger8r]

Were there any plated standard single sixes manufactured by Ruger? There is a 178xxx plated gun with a mag cylinder in very used condition for sale. Can't find any reference to plated S6 revolvers in this SN range.
O

[flattop44]

The only factory chrome plated Single Sixes that I know if were 9 in the 15xxx range. 8 of those were displayed on the famous "Chrome Wheel" by Ruger at NRA Annual Shows from about the mid-1950s into the early 1960s. I have seen several over the years but never heard of any others being authenticated by the factory.
Bill

[Ruger8r]

Thanks, flattop44.
I saw that in the Reference.
So is it possibly a factory oddball that may or may not letter or could it have been plated later by an owner?
O

[flattop44]

Most probable plated after it left the factory. If it looks 100% original and you really want to know, a letter sent to the factory with $10 enclosed will tell the real story. Unless it will factory letter or has some solid provenance that it was an employee gun, etc. the value is just what a gun plated outside the factory would be worth to someone.
Bill

[Ruger8r]

Kinda looks real to me but pretty beat up. Here's the link - the plating has a rosy tint and some streaks. Coming out of Washington State and ends tomorrow with no bids. I can't even right now.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/859894545
Whaddya think?

[Hawkeye28]

Jack Behn, WBR's right hand man, told me on multiple occasions, that on many instances, WBR would direct that individual firearms be taken out of various inventory and taken "across the street" to Superior Plating for work to be done. Such work done on the basis of individual instruction of WBR. Upon my questioning of this practice and any notes to file or additions to the gun's factory records, Behn noted that nearly never were original build records changed or added to, leaving the modified gun's build record and day book data as originally recorded before it went to Superior Plating. The last times I had this discussion were at the NRA Annual Meetings in New Orleans and Reno in the Mid 1980's. Splitz

[Hawkeye28]

You will all note that the subject Single Six also has had a safety parts kit installed. See the hammer face in the pictures. Grips show great use. Does not seem nickel but rather a chrome finish, both of which Jack Behn stated were possible and done at Superior Plating.

[Ruger8r]

Yes, it does look like chrome. And sure looks like it is original to the gun or very close to it. But the cylinders look stainless to me - the mag cylinder must have been fitted when the safety mod was done. Did they keep records of those upgrades?
The grips look like finished walnut which were also off catalogue, I think.
So, did WBR send those to distributors or...?
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[Ruger8r]

Superior Plating in Southport, Connecticut is still in business. Has anyone ever checked with them regarding archived records? They could have a lot of information.
O

[d findley]

Here is an old newspaper ad for Superior Plating.