Early(ish) Mark I Target questions

[onlyabill]

I have an early Mark I Target that I think was manufactured between 1962 and 1965. It looks to be a T678-W. I have gone through Mr. Hiddleson's "Encyclopedia of Ruger Semi-automatic Rimfire Pistols, 1949-1992" but can't get a definite confirmation/manufacture date for it nor confirmation it is what I think it is. Looked on the Ruger site but apparently they don’t have Mark I serial numbers available (anymore?). Any confirmation or other information is much appreciated, thank you.

It is/has:
- blue barrel/frame
- 6 7/8 tapered barrel
- non-tapered slide ears
- walnut grips w/left thumb-rest
- left grip has a black (no neck feathers) Ruger medallion on a silver background
- trigger is silver, no “stop screw”
- rear site is an adjustable “Micro” site
- front site is fixed with a sharp angled cut
- left side of receiver says:
RUGER (two lines high) followed by:
22 CAL. LONG RIFLE (line 1)
AUTOMATIC PISTOL (line 2) followed by (two lines high):
MARK I
- right side of receiver says:
STURM, RUGER & CO. (line 1)
SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A. (line 2)
- serial numbering is about 2.40mm high, serial number is 6 digits long: 301XXX

The magazine is:
- black with shinny silver base
- right side window
- button spring slide
- small circle cutout near bottom of window
- the spring is topped by what looks to be a dark gray or black rubber follower

[contender]

Deleted because it was wrong info.

[rpm enterprises]

20240506_193849.jpg (47.59 KiB) Viewed 292 times

[contender]

Dern Rick,,, you got me. I looked at the wrong chart. My info was on the Standards,, NOT the MKI targets.

My mistake. (And it's what I get for looking up something when tired.)

RPM's info is the correct info.

[rpm enterprises]

From now on Ty I will be your backup. LoL. Hey I did just pick up 7 of those wranglers I've been looking for. And I did find one of the others I just need to call them tomorrow.

[onlyabill]

Thanks guys!

So this pistol having a serial number of 3012XX, that makes it 62?

If I might ask, what do the [*] and [**] (single and double asterisks) next to the serial number ranges indicate?

Again, thanks all!

[rpm enterprises]

* some targets are u.s. in this serial range ** both standard and target models in this range *** random blocks of numbers within standard models.

[Rickkling]

For the incredibly meager sum of 10.00, ruger will send you a nice letter stating manufacture date, where it was originally shipped and might be able to confirm it’s a T678-W. I got 8 of em a few months ago, and I’m waiting on 9 more.
Money well spent in my opinion.