RugerSociety.com

Friends & Fellow Collectors it saddens me to pass along this information - My/Our Good Friend and Ruger Collector Dale Dalbotten passed away Saturday, March 12th. Dale was an avid Ruger Collector and all around GREAT Person. Dale loved Rugers, especially old model Rugers. His soft spot was the .44 Flattops. He was Mr. 44 to most who knew him. He was a mentor to me when I started collecting Rugers and we had some great times at the Reno Show out west and at Tulsa. The drives to Tulsa with Dale are also a great memory. I am truly going to miss our weekly phone calls (sometimes 3-4 times a week or more) and most of all his great knowledge and insight on Rugers. A True Friend of mine indeed. RIP Dale. Please remember his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Below are a few pictures of Dale and some of his Awesome displays.




3 in a row consecutive .44 Flattops

Gary, I share your loss, as Dale and I often discussed .44 Flat Tops and exchanged serial numbers with Dale. Gwen was a frequent companion when I saw him in Tulsa. One had to be quick to find good Rugers at Tulsa, Dale seemed to find them first! Dale helped me confirm my serial number 40 collection with personal communications with the original owner, Dean Purdie of Gopher Shooting Supply. I never met Dean, but treasure his hand written memories of the serial number 40 guns that he once owned. Dale was a friend and a mentor to me as well. I will miss his raspy voice on the phone and the fine Lawrence leather he frequently shared with me. I will miss you Dale. Brass Frame/Lee

That is indeed sad news, he was an old and great friend. He really had fun collecting and shooting old Rugers! I really enjoyed our long telephone conversations discussing old Rugers, he was a wealth of knowledge. I was just going through a bunch of old papers recently and found a lot of old letters where Dale and I used to communicate about guns with each other. I will always cherish and remember my visit to Red Wing years ago, we hit 3 gun shows miles apart in one day!! He got a speeding ticket that day going over 90 MPH!! Dale sure loved to negotiate a deal...that is what he called it but it seemed to me more like taking a beating if he had a gun that I really needed!!
Rest in peace old friend!!
FT44/aka Bill

Sorry to hear about Dale. I had quite a few conversations with him a bought a couple of FT 44s from him in Tulsa. I always enjoyed seeing what he had for sale and looking at his displays over the years. He will be missed!

Bill Cross

I didn't know Dale for very long but I always enjoyed visiting with him in Tulsa. We did not only lose a friend and collector but a wealth of knowledge. May he rest in peace.

O M CRAZY
Vince

I too was saddened by this news. Dale was a true gentleman. He will be missed.