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RUGER OWNERS & COLLECTORS SOCIETY, INC


"MY FAVORITE .44 FLATTOPS"

BILL HIGHTOWER, NON-JUDGED MASTERS CLASS

Bill displayed his favorite .44 Flattop standbys! He showed us his 6-1/2” low number #51 shipped in May 1957 Then an extremely rare 7-1/2”, #24550, first shipped in August 1960 and then as a “second” in June 1963. It sported an optional set of rare factory ivory grips. Then there was #20708, shipped in September 1959 with a rare 10” barrel with optional factory stag grips. This gun’s original super rare shipping sleeve was also displayed!!

Then Bill began to dig deeper into his big metal box and then he says, Oh My God…I found #723, it was shipped in November 1956, a very rare 1st month production gun. Then low and behold another 6-1/2” 3-digit, #249, which was shipped in January 1957 with factory rosewood grips. Then finally the extremely rare 6-1/2” #29184, it was shipped in September 1962 with the then new XR3-RED grip frame.

It is certainly easy to see why these would be anybody’s Favorite Flattops!! I just hope he will dig into that box a little deeper next year, no telling what he may find!!


RUGER REVOLVERS - A FEW 2-DIGIT SERIAL NUMBERED SIXGUNS"

MIKE WOMBLE, MASTERS CLASS

Mike’s great display featured 6 very rare Ruger revolvers that all have a 2-digit serial number!

  • #26 Bearcat .22 LR, in mint condition with original box, paperwork and shipping sleeve. This fine little Cat was originally owned by Wayne Fleming, the purchasing agent for Brownell's.
  • #26 Super Bearcat .22 LR, also in mint condition and with box and paperwork
  • #25 Blackhawk .44 Magnum “Flattop”, in excellent condition, also with original box, paperwork, and shipping sleeve. This gun was originally owned by Ed Nolan, Ruger's marketing head. The gun wears engraved walnut grips in oak leaf/acorn pattern believed to have been done by Charles Jerred, who engraved guns for Ruger during that time.
  • #26 Blackhawk .44 Magnum “Flattop”, in excellent condition, also with original box, paperwork, and shipping sleeve. This gun was also owned by Wayne Fleming and is adorned with extremely rare factory ivory grips.
  • #26 Hawkeye .256 Win. Mag., as new with original box, paperwork, and shipping sleeve, also owned by Wayne Fleming.
  • #26 Redhawk .44 Magnum, in excellent condition with original box and paperwork.

The display included period advertisements and catalogs, along with period ammunition boxes for the guns on display.

Wow, I am sure that you noticed, four of Mike’s guns have their cardboard original outer shipping sleeves!! What a wonderful display of very rare 2-digit single action Rugers!!


".357 MAGNUMS WITH 10" BARRELS"

LEE SUNDERMEIER, ADVANCED CLASS
AWARDED 2nd PLACE, TULSA ARMS SHOW

Lee displayed eight fine and rare Ruger 10” barrel .357 Flattops.

  • #23156 with 6 groove barrel and hard rubber grips.
  • #A31577 with the letter “A” prefix serial number and 6 groove barrel. This is an extremely rare gun, with only 9 believed made and only two known. This is one of the first examples of a factory Duplicate gun.
  • #31625 with 6 groove barrel in “new” condition with the original numbered box and all papers.
  • #37302 with 8 groove barrel and a small “s” in front of the trigger guard, indicating the gun is a factory second. This gun letters as a “second” and shipped in a BKH-40 box having a small factory sticker over the .44 caliber printed on the box. This gun was shipped and returned to the factory on three different dates.
  • #37345 with 8 groove barrel in a correct BKH-30 box with all the papers. This gun shipped twice from the factory and can be considered an unmarked “factory second”.
  • #37513 with 8 groove barrel in a correct BKH-30 box with all the papers. This gun has profuse gold and copper color streaks in the cylinder frame. It came with an outstanding set of factory burl, walnut grips.

Serial number RCA-00007 and RCA-00008:
A consecutive numbered pair of New Model Flat Tops with 10” barrels and a bright high polish finish, performed at the factory. They were shipped together as a pair to Lee who is the original owner. They were commissioned to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the RCA. A total of 54 guns were made. They remain in new unfired condition in their original box and shippers.

The display also includes an original advertisement and introductory catalog from 1959. Displayed are factory letters or RCA Certificates for each gun. A 1959 Distributor Price Sheet lists all Ruger Firearms and accessories available to the public that year. Factory stag and ivory grips were mounted on several guns and vintage holsters for 10” barreled guns, were displayed as well.


"THE BEAUTIFUL .357 FLATTOPS - THE FIRST YEAR"

TOM BRADEN, ADVANCED CLASS

Tom’s fine display had an example of each of the 100 serial number blocks made in the first year of the Blackhawk .357 “Flattop” production. #113, #202, #331, #416, #568, #645, #771, #803 and #999!! Each of these fantastic 3-digit guns had its proper box.

One wore rare factory stags while one extremely rare factory ivories and one optional varnished walnuts. Also displayed was a 1955 Ruger catalog, an undated Single-Six instruction manual with its very rare .357 Blackhawk insert and a period warranty card. Advertisements from the August and September 1955 Issues of the “American Rifleman” magazine were shown. An original cardboard split top shipping carton was displayed along with its box, oil wrap and tissue paper. Each gun included proper box.

Finding a high condition .357 Flattop is pretty hard to do. It was Ruger’s first centerfire revolver and most of them really got a lot of use. I salute Tom for working to find such beautiful Flattops for his collection and bringing them out for us to view and enjoy!!


"RARE RUGER LAMINATED 10/22s, 1981-2002"

CHARLES & DEB DAVIS, ADVANCED CLASS

Charles’s great display included a “One-of-a Kind” gift from Ruger along with its test target! Also shown were extra Medallions from Kittery, factory “Used” second and rare Duplicate serial numbered Laminated 10/22s.

These beautiful laminates sure make for a very interesting and colorful display.


"THE FIRST RUGER"

DON FINDLEY, NON-JUDGED MASTERS CLASS

Don showed us the 1st Ruger Standard Auto, serial number 3! Along with the pistol, Don displayed the 1949 papers, a 1949 catalog and Bill Ruger drawings. The original blueprints for the 1949 pistol sight were there too. Then for all to behold, the 1949 Original 1st year FFL for the Ruger Company!! True history!!

This is one great historical display! We are very fortunate to have a Member, who just happens to be ROCS Historian, who has such outstanding guns. I only hope all who missed it can get to see it someday.


"THE RUGER 10/22, BORN IN 1964"

RADICAL ROD KIRIAN, ADVANCED CLASS
AWARDED 3rd PLACE, TULSA ARMS SHOW

Rod said that this display was made up from his accumulation of 10/22 goodies. Said that he liked “things” not just guns!! And I tell you, he has some really good “things”!!

He had the original sign used by Strum, Ruger & Company at the 1964 NRA Annual meeting. Rod 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.


"RUGER BLACKHAWK OLD MODEL .44 FLATTOPS"

VINCENT CARABETTA, NON-JUDGED MASTERS CLASS

Vince’s great display consisted of an example of the 8 major types and most sub-types of the Blackhawk .44 Flattop. Two special Flattops that were shown was a “S” BKH40 with 10” barrel, Super Blackhawk non-fluted cylinder and XR3-RED grip frame. Then there was a BKH46 with 6-1/2” barrel with the rare XR3-RED grip frame. Examples of the different boxes for the 6-1/2”, 7-1/2” and 10” were displayed along with the different types of ejector rods and ejector rod housings used on these guns. Different factory grip panels of Black Hard Rubber, Walnut, Stag and Ivory were shown. He also displayed the different types of ammo that could be used in these guns….44 Russian, .44 S&W Special and .44 Magnum. Period advertising, instruction manuals with parts lists, warranty card and complete packaging including the outer cardboard shipping carton supported this fine display.


"RUGER HAWKEYE"

BILL HAMM, NON-JUDGED MASTERS CLASS

This display featured two NIB low number .256 Winchester Magnum rolling-breach block single shot Hawkeye handguns. Hawkeye # 15 and #19. Hawkeye #19 belonged to Pete Kuhloff, a friend of Bill Ruger and Guns Editor for “Argosy” Men’s Magazine.

Also displayed were two Bushnell Phantom period scopes, .256 Winchester Magnum prototype ammunition and standard Winchester production ammo. Catalogs, instruction manual, Hawkeye box, November 1962 “Shooting Times” magazine with the new Hawkeye pictured on its cover, “American Rifleman” magazines with the first advertisements and pictures of Bill Ruger, Harry Sefried and Pete Kuhloff test firing Hawkeye Prototype #X2 rounded out the display.


"RUGER FACTORY ENGRAVED SINGLE-SIXES"

JERRY HERTEL, ADVANCED CLASS

Man, what a fine group of factory engraved Single-Sixes! Jerry displayed a consecutive numbered pair of Jerred Engraved guns, #35551 and #35552. Then he had an extremely rare Jerred “All Blue” engraved gun from the first group of “All Blues”, # 13513. Jerry says that it is 1 of 2 shipped with a Flat loading gate. Then this display was complemented by the Holy Grail of engraved RSSEs, a Spanish Engraved gun, #5110!! This was simply an outstanding display of very rare RSSEs!!


"NON-PREFIX No. 1s"

BYRON & PAT HUNSINGER, INTERMEDIATE CLASS

Byron’s display exhibited eight different rare variations of early No. 1 rifles. The 1V 300 Winchester Magnum is a very rare heavy barrel rifle. His 1BHT .243 with the Target Blocks is also a very rare variation. He also displayed two of the fine Unertl scopes.

Byron sure comes up with some rare to extremely rare No. 1s to share with us!!


"ENGRAVED LONG GUNS OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY"

DAVID LORTSCHER, ADVANCED CLASS

1999 marked the 50th Anniversary in the production of Sturm Ruger Firearms. This was a monumental occasion for Ruger and to celebrate they developed a 50th Anniversary logo. This logo was used on everything from shipping boxes to stationary.

This year’s display from David showcases a group of exceptional firearms that were embellished with this 50th logo.

Three of the Ruger Red Label O&U Shotguns were shown. One in each gauge. It is believed that within the short run of Ruger Trap guns that one or more may have had this 50th Logo engraving. The search to confirm its being manufactured continues and David would like confirmation of its existence should you have information on them.

The Rifles on display were an exquisite pair of Number Ones. Chambered in 45-70, they are a consecutive pair and have exceptional employee grade wood. Turkish Circassian walnut was used on both as it was on all anniversary engraved Number Ones that year.

It is also believed that a few M77 rifles may have had this logo as well but none are known to David at this time.

Memorabilia was also a big part of the celebration that year. Over forty pieces were on display. Some of the rarer and more noticeable pieces are the Cobalt blue wine glasses and coffee mugs. The Zippo lighter is a very rare find as is the Stein. A 50th Anniversary Plate was located just before the show and also on display. David's favorite memorabilia item is the 50th anniversary Afghan.

The search continues for more items and David may expand his collection to all 50th Anniversary Ruger firearms and memorabilia.

David would like to send a special thanks to Mr. Avery. Without his help and generosity much of the hard to find items and info would have never been possible.


"HELL OF A HAND, TWO PAIR AND A 20 YEAR"

TERRY "THE POTATO MAN" WOLOSEK, ADVANCED CLASS

Terry’s M77 display of the M77 RSM MKII or the “Magnum” was simply great!! The M77 “Magnum” was introduced in 1990 and production started shortly after. Early Magnums were serial numbered 780-05XXX to 780-77XXX. In 1992 the Magnums were given their own prefix 750-00001. The highest serial number that Terry has seen was 750-081XX. The last listing was in the 2007 Ruger Catalog. This was the end of the “Real Man’s Rifle”.

The two .300 H&Hs displayed, both marked with a * in front of their serial number, were the only two manufactured. There were approximately 8,500 cataloged RSMs produced, including the following calibers; .375 H&H, .416 Wrigby & .458 Lott. The M77 RS EXP MKII or the “Express” was introduced in 1991 and production began in 1992. There were some early guns with serial number 780-77XXX and a very few with serial number 781-02XXX. Later in 1992 the Express rifles were given their own serial number prefix 760-00001 to 760-014XX. There were only 1,700 Express Rifles produced.

The two .30-06s displayed were 1 of 5 and 5 of 5. They were two of the final five Express Rifles shipped from the factory in 2006. The last listing in the Ruger Catalog for the Express Rifle was in 2002, a very short life for the “Deluxe Cadillac” of the Ruger M77s.


"A SHOOTER'S COLLECTION OF RUGER.357 FLATTOPS"

WALTER H. (BUDDY) BAILEY, AWARDED 1st PLACE, NOVICE CLASS

Buddy’s display would have made Mr. Ruger proud! Bill Ruger has been quoted as saying that his guns were not made for collecting but for shooting!! This display consisted of several well used and enjoyed .357 Flattops. Included was a beat-up and rode hard old rare variation “Ross Gun” and an engraved gun from 1960 by Phil Hudson.

This was a great display of how these “tools” were meant to be used!! We salute you for a real fine job Buddy!


"ROCK-N-ROLL FULL AUTO"

MIKE KAMLER, NOVICE CLASS
RENE BEST OF SHOW, RUGER MP-9 MACHINE GUN

This was Mike’s first display and it was outstanding!! It is the first time that I have ever seen Ruger Full Auto machine guns displayed and this was a real attention getter!! He had 2 AC-556 Full Auto’s with Suppressors. One was a folder and both had military magazines. Then he contrasted these with two single shot Hawkeye handguns (#10 and #107) and two early No. 1 rifles. Then out front he displayed the Ruger MP-9 Full Auto machine gun, very rare and unique. It’s very limited production initially went only to Law Enforcement. Mike said and I agree, that this gun resembles a combination of a mini-Uzi and Mac 10 for those of you familiar with those two machine guns.

We are looking forward to what Mike will bring out next year. It is really good to see all different varieties of Rugers being displayed to educate the public and a lot of us collectors as well.


"ONE OF ONES"

KEN GOODMAN & SANDY POWELL, NOVICE CLASS

Ken only displayed four No. 1 rifles but wow, they are the only ones that are known! One rifle is the Cover Rifle from Joe Clayton’s book, “The Ruger No.1 Rifle”. It is a 200th year marked .222 Remington. The stock work is by Paul Jaeger and the engraving by Master Engraver Claus Willig.

Another is the Gen. Vernon E. Magee 1A in .32 S&W Long, made up especially for Gen. Magee for a gift from Bill Ruger. Another is a Factory 20 Year Service Award rifle. The 4th rifle was from a trade made by David Wolfe with Bill Ruger. Ruger made up five special rifles for Mr. Wolfe in a trade for an English double rifle. This 38/55 was one of the five. Whereabouts of the other four is unknown.

These are some extremely rare and fine No. 1s. What a way to begin your displaying, great job Ken!!


"REWARD"

STEVE ADAMSON, AWARDED 1st PLACE, ADVANCED CLASS

Steve presented a to-scale remake of the February 1962 “American Rifleman Magazine” Sturm, Ruger Company advertisement entitled “REWARD”. He showed his low number “42” guns, a very early Single-Six .22/22 magnum convertible and a .357 6-1/2” Flattop of that 1962 era. You would have to see it in person to really appreciate what it took to complete it.

Simply a beautiful display and most deserving of 1st Place Advance. Congratulations Steve!!


"RUGER SHOTGUNS"

TOM HUTTON, AWARDED 1st PLACE, TULSA ARMS SHOW

Tom’s FANTASTIC display of 49 Ruger Shotguns covered all the gauges, barrel lengths and chokes. The "All Weather" shotguns were displayed in all available finishes. There were seven hand engraved guns; 5 Red Labels, 1 side-by-side Gold Label and 1 Woodside. Tom also had 5 or 6 machine engraved guns. Three Gold Labels were shown including one engraved by Baron Technologies who is Ruger’s contract factory engraver. There were “All Blue” 12 Gauges, a Ruger Trap gun, “U” marked seconds and a prototype Woodside owned by Roger Barlow. There were 2 of the 19 made “21 Club” presentation guns on display.

Tom said that his best gun was the prototype “Gold Label” O&U which later became the “Red Label”; this gun was engraved by famed engraver Alvin A. White in 1980.

We are real proud that a member displayed these great Shotguns made by Ruger!! Thanks for bringing those out for us and the public to see Tom.





ROCS DISPLAY SHOW

DALLAS ARMS COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION & NRA NATIONAL GUN COLLECTORS SHOW

Dallas Market Hall August 2 - 3, 2014


Write-Up by Bill Hamm

Pictures by Vince Carabetta


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