RUGER OWNERS & COLLECTORS SOCIETY, INC
ROCS DISPLAY SHOW
INDY 1500 ROCS DISPLAY SHOW
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 13 - 15, 2015
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| "RUGER HANDGUNS & 28 CARTRIDGES" |
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John's very interesting display included examples of Ruger handguns and 28 different cartridges. The display showed each gun with the cartridge named on the cylinder frame, barrel or cylinder.
Each of the 28 cartridges was displayed in a display box at his podium in the order that the guns were arranged on the display board. He also had an accompanying notebook explaining each firearm and its cartridge(s).
This display really drew a lot of public attention and kept John busy answering questions. Everyone seemed to have at least one of those. Good job John.
| RUGER .44 CARBINES |
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Doug brought out eleven of the finest and some of the rarest .44 Carbines that
we have seen. Truly beautiful top condition little carbines!
Included were:
- 44R Fine early 4-digit "Deerstalker".
- 44R NIB Standard carbine.
- 44D Duplicate marked carbine.
- 44SP Fingergroove Sporter.
- 44SPC Extremely rare factory hand checkered Fingergroove Sporter.
- 44X International full stocked carbine.
- 44XC Extremely rare factory hand checkered International.
- 44RS Receiver sight.
- 44RS/S Receiver sight and milled slot for a rear sight on barrel.
- 44YR25 25th Anniversary Carbine.
- 44R Very rare "101" prefix carbine obtained from a Ruger factory auction.
Particularly interesting was the tag attached to its barrel that stated
"4-01-74 1,000 rnds." Obviously a test guns used for "101" series.
Doug displayed a notebook with many of the early .44 Carbine advertisements.
Oh man, what a nice showing of these fast handling, hard hitting little semi-auto .44 Magnum Carbine!! Sure glad that you shared "Ruger's 1st Long Gun" with us and the public Doug!!
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"THE RUGER 10/22 BORN IN 1964"
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Rod's display was made up from his accumulation of 10/22 goodies. Rod said that he liked "things" not just guns!! And I tell you, he has some really good
The "things" included that original sign used by Strum, Ruger & Company when introducing the 10/22 at the 1964 NRA Annual meeting. Rod also had the original hand typed manuscript for the 10/22 owner's manual and a memo to distributors telling them about the new 10/22. He showed the rare clear Salesman sample magazine and more goodies.
Then of course, there were the guns. A beautiful mint condition 10/22 in its original box, #133, that had all of its papers including the original sale banner. An extremely rare complete package!! Also displayed was a very interesting cutaway 10/22 from the Bill Workman collection. Rod noted that the 10/22 is 50 years old and still going strong. Of course, Radical himself was on display in his unique one-of-a-kind Pink ROCS shirt!! All made for a wonderful display!!
| AN EARLY WRITERS GUN - RUGER .357 MAGNUM #210" |
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Lee displayed one gun, Blackhawk .357 Magnum Flattop, serial number 210. The factory letter stated that it was shipped to Don Martin, Solomon, ID, November 1955. Don Martin was a good friend of Elmer Keith, writing the preface and introduction in several of Elmer's books. Don was also the Gun Editor for the "Western Sportsman Magazine". In the December 1955 issue, he wrote a review of the Ruger .357 Flattop using #210 in his article. The Ruger factory used the same review in their 1955 company catalog to describe the 4th model introduced by Ruger. Lee displayed pictures and documentation.
Don Martin also served as a Sheriff and Judge in Idaho frequently carrying #210 as his duty gun. Simply a great historical One Gun display!
| A SPECIAL SERIES |
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My display included seven Factory Engraved Special Series Single-Sixes model RSSE. Displayed was the Spanish Engraved #5100, the 1st gun in the consecutive serial numbered group of 20 guns sent to Spain for engraving at the beginning of Bill Ruger's engraving program in 1954. The NIB All Blue #24394, a Charles H. Jerred engraved RSSE which was awarded Best Ruger of the Show. Jerred engraved #100718 which was one of the last seven Single-Sixes engraved at the end of the engraving program in 1958. Then a Consecutive Triad of Jerred engraved guns; #44933, #44934 & #44935. RSSE #35522 displayed in its factory RSSE presentation case rounded out the display.
