Serial# is V2970. Ok, the "0" looks like to have separately stamped, in line but a little lighter.
Would this have been a way to handle a duplicate of V279? A "D" sure would have looked funny.
Anyone seen anything like this, or have an opinion?
Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
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ElNumeroUno
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radicalrod
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Re: Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
Well we will never see one if you don't post a picture 
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ElNumeroUno
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Re: Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
Ell, I have talked Mr. Findley into posting a couple of pics! On the way!
Re: Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
That is neat!!!
If somebody has a chance to pull the trigger guard off, the identical number should be stamped on the underside of the guard.
With Ruger's serial numbering head having six number wheels at this time, I can see how the fifth wheel may have accidentally turned downward to the number "0". And this would make sense since the blank space on the wheel of numbers should be right next to the "0".
I would need to check some dates, but I do not believe Ruger had a procedure of actually stamping a duplicate gun with a "D" at this time, I think a "V" Bearcat is too early.
Single-Six numbers 138946L and 138946R were in 1959.
Will need to check the dates on the nine 10" .357's numbered A31571 to A31579.
The D181xxx to D182xxx Single-Sixes were in 1961
And our D12417 Bearcat is September 1961
I don't know of any guns with "earlier" serial numbers that were actually duplicated that have a "D" stamp. I know it is a "0" zero there, but... don't believe they were using even a "D" stamp when any of the alphabet guns were being made.
Chet15
If somebody has a chance to pull the trigger guard off, the identical number should be stamped on the underside of the guard.
With Ruger's serial numbering head having six number wheels at this time, I can see how the fifth wheel may have accidentally turned downward to the number "0". And this would make sense since the blank space on the wheel of numbers should be right next to the "0".
I would need to check some dates, but I do not believe Ruger had a procedure of actually stamping a duplicate gun with a "D" at this time, I think a "V" Bearcat is too early.
Single-Six numbers 138946L and 138946R were in 1959.
Will need to check the dates on the nine 10" .357's numbered A31571 to A31579.
The D181xxx to D182xxx Single-Sixes were in 1961
And our D12417 Bearcat is September 1961
I don't know of any guns with "earlier" serial numbers that were actually duplicated that have a "D" stamp. I know it is a "0" zero there, but... don't believe they were using even a "D" stamp when any of the alphabet guns were being made.
Chet15
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ElNumeroUno
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Re: Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
The trigger guard does not have the 0, but I would not expect it to.
2 parts dropped out that I have no idea what they are, or how to put them back! Guess I better find an Instruction Manual!
2 parts dropped out that I have no idea what they are, or how to put them back! Guess I better find an Instruction Manual!
Re: Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
Were the two parts a mall Spring and Plunger? If so they go in the trigger guard and push the bolt/cylinder stop up.
Bill
Bill
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ElNumeroUno
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Re: Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
Yep; that's what they were!
Re: Odd(?} Alphabet Bearcat
The 138946L and 138946R Single-Sixes were made sometime after 12/29/59
"V" letter Bearcats were made about December 1959.
The A prefix 10" .357's were done in November 1960.
The D181xxx to D182xxx Single Sixes were made in the Fall of 1961.
Our D12417 Bearcat was manufactured September 1961.
So the next thing is, if the gun doesn't letter as V2970, can anybody really verify the extra digit was put on by the factory?
Maybe the factory will have something noted on a daybook page? There might be one person you could ask about that. Hopefully somebody can verify it.
I have also seen pics of letter gun I656 which has a letter "K" in the same font as the serial number probably 3/16" to the right and slightly lower than the serial number.
The Bearcat would also fall in line with why I think the Ross variation flattops were also duplicates. Several years ago I started a thread on Rugerforum.com asking for closeup pictures of Ross variation serial numbers. Most had the first digit "1" with little or no variation in spacing to the next digit. All the digits were pretty much equally spaced. But one closeup showed the first digit 1 almost connected to the next digit, which in my opinion tells us the first digit 1 was put on after the fact, probably running the guns through the serial numbering machine again for only the 1 because they are all professionally added (not leaning, not heavier/lighter stamped/double stamped etc.). If somebody would be willing to post pics for me on this thread, I can share those Ross SN closeup pics.
Chet15.
"V" letter Bearcats were made about December 1959.
The A prefix 10" .357's were done in November 1960.
The D181xxx to D182xxx Single Sixes were made in the Fall of 1961.
Our D12417 Bearcat was manufactured September 1961.
So the next thing is, if the gun doesn't letter as V2970, can anybody really verify the extra digit was put on by the factory?
Maybe the factory will have something noted on a daybook page? There might be one person you could ask about that. Hopefully somebody can verify it.
I have also seen pics of letter gun I656 which has a letter "K" in the same font as the serial number probably 3/16" to the right and slightly lower than the serial number.
The Bearcat would also fall in line with why I think the Ross variation flattops were also duplicates. Several years ago I started a thread on Rugerforum.com asking for closeup pictures of Ross variation serial numbers. Most had the first digit "1" with little or no variation in spacing to the next digit. All the digits were pretty much equally spaced. But one closeup showed the first digit 1 almost connected to the next digit, which in my opinion tells us the first digit 1 was put on after the fact, probably running the guns through the serial numbering machine again for only the 1 because they are all professionally added (not leaning, not heavier/lighter stamped/double stamped etc.). If somebody would be willing to post pics for me on this thread, I can share those Ross SN closeup pics.
Chet15.