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M96/44 Deluxe Sporter prototype
M96/44 Deluxe Sporter prototype
In transit to me right now is a two-digit 96/44 in a factory checkered Schnabel fore end stock. It is complete with box, rings and papers and has a few handling marks on the stock but is in excellent condition otherwise. The box end is stamped SAVE with a later shipping sticker applied. It may be part of the dump of "archive guns" from warehouse storage a few years ago. I only have this one photo to share at the moment.
Last edited by Ruger8r on Mon Sep 30, 2024 4:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
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gunman42782
- Posts: 1028
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:27 pm
- Location: KY
Re: M96/44 Deluxe prototype
Serial number? 
Re: M96/44 Deluxe prototype
The SN is 640-00032.
The grip has an unusual checkering pattern. Maybe hand done?
The grip has an unusual checkering pattern. Maybe hand done?
"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
Re: M96/44 Deluxe prototype
Awesome gun right there!!
If I remember right, the gun left the factory in one of their warehouse purges of two and three digit guns.
Evidently the gun got caught up in those instead of being held back as a "concept" gun or prototype.
Chet15
If I remember right, the gun left the factory in one of their warehouse purges of two and three digit guns.
Evidently the gun got caught up in those instead of being held back as a "concept" gun or prototype.
Chet15
Re: M96/44 Deluxe prototype
I think it would be more properly called a Deluxe Sporter concept. I wonder if they started with a standard stock and hand-carve this beauty? The work on the grip is unique - everything is more slim and sophisticated with a sporting comb. The butt is a stippled black recoil pad with a black spacer. It feels just amazing in-hand. Due to our ten-day wait and my FFL's honeymoon closure I won't have it in-hand again until May 31. Bummer!
Here are a few rushed photos at the shop during DROS:
Here are a few rushed photos at the shop during DROS:
"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
Re: M96/44 Deluxe prototype
Standard Model 96 stocks were birch.
The bottom of the pistol grip also has a different shape than the standard Model 96 carbine type.
Neat to see a prototype get out as a regular serial number too! Most are usually 880- prefixed.
Chet15
The bottom of the pistol grip also has a different shape than the standard Model 96 carbine type.
Neat to see a prototype get out as a regular serial number too! Most are usually 880- prefixed.
Chet15
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67stingray
- Posts: 860
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:35 pm
- Location: Iron City, TN
Re: M96/44 Deluxe prototype
It's a shame they didn't follow that pattern when they decided to make the 96's. I would say you've got a special piece there.
Bennett
Bennett
Any day without learning is a day of backing up.
Re: M96/44 Deluxe Sporter prototype
I should have updated this post in 2021 but, because I'm looking back at my notes, I thought I'd bring it up to date now.
In the fall of 2021 I exchanged emails with Bill Rodeschin, Jr., about this piece. Turns out he was running the woodworking machine shop for Ruger in 1997. He remembers the stocks being produced but does not remember the why or how many were made. He identified the checkering as being produced on their checkering machines so they were, at least, checkered there.
He knew the owner personally but only identified him as "fairly high up in the company". The original recipient has no recollection of owning the gun but probably just bought it to maintain his number status, doesn't care for the .44 mag cartridge and most likely sold the gun shortly after purchase.
I just acquired a very nice companion piece, which got me looking back, that I'll post about separately. It's a 96/44 with hand checkered, tiger-stripe wood and a case color lever. It has interesting provenance with an alleged Bill Ruger connection and it's a beauty.
In the fall of 2021 I exchanged emails with Bill Rodeschin, Jr., about this piece. Turns out he was running the woodworking machine shop for Ruger in 1997. He remembers the stocks being produced but does not remember the why or how many were made. He identified the checkering as being produced on their checkering machines so they were, at least, checkered there.
He knew the owner personally but only identified him as "fairly high up in the company". The original recipient has no recollection of owning the gun but probably just bought it to maintain his number status, doesn't care for the .44 mag cartridge and most likely sold the gun shortly after purchase.
I just acquired a very nice companion piece, which got me looking back, that I'll post about separately. It's a 96/44 with hand checkered, tiger-stripe wood and a case color lever. It has interesting provenance with an alleged Bill Ruger connection and it's a beauty.
"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
Re: M96/44 Deluxe Sporter prototype
Cool !!!
thanks for the update
thanks for the update
I do not "own" these guns, I am but the next caretaker