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Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 12:46 pm
by RoninPA
I was answering some questions about the Six Series revolvers and that led me to a question I want (NEED
) to see if I can find the answer.
The Six series serial numbers started with 150-00001 (low back frame) and went to (approx) 150-64961. In RENE, in 1974 it shows 150-64961 to 151-21779 (this was the year when the high back frames came to be) and I have a low back with s/n 151-09505 and I have a high back s/n 150-94411 (both probably transition guns).
My question, would they have started the 151-XXXXX frames with 151-00001? I don't think I have ever heard of a Six series with a single, double or even triple digit 151- serial number. Has anyone heard of, OR HAVE a 151-00001 through 151-00999 marked Six series revolver??? If so, is it a high back or low back frame?
Would conversing with Ruger CS maybe be of help? I know they help me a lot with my ongoing compilation of GP100 model numbers/descriptions.
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:38 pm
by 67stingray
Good question Ron, I don't know that I've seen an early 151 prefixed Six, I'll have to do some digging see if I can come up with something.
Bennett
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 12:04 pm
by chet15
RoninPA wrote: ↑Sun Apr 03, 2022 12:46 pm
I was answering some questions about the Six Series revolvers and that led me to a question I want (NEED
) to see if I can find the answer.
The Six series serial numbers started with 150-00001 (low back frame) and went to (approx) 150-64961. In RENE, in 1974 it shows 150-64961 to 151-21779 (this was the year when the high back frames came to be) and I have a low back with s/n 151-09505 and I have a high back s/n 150-94411 (both probably transition guns).
My question, would they have started the 151-XXXXX frames with 151-00001? I don't think I have ever heard of a Six series with a single, double or even triple digit 151- serial number. Has anyone heard of, OR HAVE a 151-00001 through 151-00999 marked Six series revolver??? If so, is it a high back or low back frame?
Would conversing with Ruger CS maybe be of help? I know they help me a lot with my ongoing compilation of GP100 model numbers/descriptions.
Not sure what you mean there exactly, but there was a thread either here or on Rugerforum.com recently that mentioned a 151- prefix low back in Service Six configuration that was rollmarked Security-Six, probably yours (?) and I know of another.
I am of the opinion that somebody at Ruger "probably ???" decreed that all old frame Service Six style revolvers were to be rollmarked "SECURITY-SIX" and all new frame Service-Six revolvers were to be rollmarked "SERVICE-SIX". Otherwise, for the high and low numbers known of such "transitional" revolvers (20,000+ guns between) it seems really strange that a low back Service Six marked "Service Six" or high back Service Six marked "Security-Six" is not yet known amongst collectors.
Is this what you are speaking of?
Chet15
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:11 pm
by RoninPA
Chad, I know what you mean and my high back, 150- serial number is marked Police Service Six, not Security Six like my other 150- S/N (low back) fixed sight models.
Actually my question is: Are there any 151- serial number Six series guns with single, double, triple, or low 4 digit s/n's i.e. 151-00002, 151-00020, 151-00200 or 151-02000?
I have not run across anything below my 151-09505 serial number (which happens to be a LOW-BACK Stainless Security Six). I have a Low Back Security Six (adj sights) s/n 150-88995 and a High Back Police Serice Six (marked as such) with s/n 150-94411, but I have not run across any (low or high back) Six series with serial numbers between 151-00001 and 151-09505.
Hope this makes it less confusing.
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:34 pm
by chet15
I have really limited notes as far as DA's but I do show 151-00037 as being an SS-32.
Chet15
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:56 am
by RoninPA
Well that's a start, I just thought it was odd not to see any Six series guns with s/n's from 151-00001 to 151-09505 in my time collecting them. Guess I'll need to start threads asking if anyone has any of the Six series DA's with s/n's in that range. I wonder is someone has 151-00001 and thinks it's the first one made (and hasn't done any homework).
Maybe I'll give Ruger CS a call this week to see what they might know or can point me to someone to talk to.
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 6:33 am
by chet15
It is a bit unusual since you mention it... but wonder if a lot of those guns in the 151-00000 to 151-02000 was police or foreign contract stuff.
That would explain it. If so, most have those have probably been destroyed.
Chet15
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:39 am
by RoninPA
Agree, that's why I am "hopeful" that Ruger can shed some light on it. I am keeping my expectations low, BUT you never say never with Ruger
I will, of course, keep you in the loop.
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 1:06 pm
by lcats_TX
I have a question, if I may. I have a Ruger Speed-six 3" barrel serial number 162-425xx. I have been reading on here that this gun stopped production in 1987, if that's true. However I joined the NYPD in 10/15/90 and on Gun and Shield day I had choices of revolvers, I chose this one because I was broke and it was concealable. Did this gun sit around for all those years? Just curious.
Luke
Re: Six Series Serial Numbers
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2022 10:00 am
by RoninPA
Luke,
Records show that serial number as being produced in 1988. 1988 is the year that Ruger stopped producing the Six series revolvers. That doesn't mean that Rugers shelves were empty, just that's when they stopped making them. I would be interested to know if on the inside of the crane of that gun there was a 5 point star stamped. If so, that means that it was part of a contract with the NYPD and it had been accepted for issue by the armorer. And yes, it very well could have sat around for a few years before someone wanted it (you).