Red Label 12 gauge history

[RoninPA]

Good for you Troy, that's a very good looking shotgun.

[flattop44]

Way to go, I really like the wood. Love the deal, lower than you offered.
FT44

[JAYDAWG]

Beautiful......

Cheers,
JAYDAWG

[twriggen]

Should I expect a serial number in the 800 range to be the stainless version? Is there an easy way to tell the difference?

Thanks,
Troy

Besides the blued steel receiver/vs a stainless receiver, plug your serial number into Ruger's serial number lookup page. I think they will show model number and the year it was shipped.
Chet15

The blued versus stainless receiver still confuses me. Since this is #819 the assumption is that it is a stainless receiver, but the gun is blued. Is it just a stainless gun that was blued? Ruger serial number lookup lists it as a model 04101.

Thanks,
Troy

[Brass Frame]

Hi Troy, good job on finding this rare 12 gauge! If you plan to shoot it often, I advise make frequent inspections of the receiver!
I once owned a blued 20 gauge that I used for dog training and some skeet shooting. A hairline crack developed and rather than repairing it, the factory sent me a new stainless steel gun. This one was traded off for a European made 20 gauge that still has a very tight action and fits me better. Brass Frame/Lee E

[chet15]

Scarce gun... blue receiver 12 gauge.
Chet15

[chet15]

The blued versus stainless receiver still confuses me. Since this is #819 the assumption is that it is a stainless receiver, but the gun is blued. Is it just a stainless gun that was blued? Ruger serial number lookup lists it as a model 04101.

Thanks,
Troy

4101 makes it a blue receiver gun.
A lot of the early blue receiver 12 gauge red labels ended up with cracked receivers before they were shipped (maybe before they were assembled). Ruger must have replaced those blue receivers with stainless receivers with the same serial numbers.
The Ducks Unlimited 50th Anniversary 12 gauge guns were actually chrome moly receivers as well, and those go into the 410-04xxx range. With there being 1,000 of those, the DU guns actually outnumber he blue receiver 12 gauge guns.
Chet15