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Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:31 pm
by ShootStr8
Hello Ruger Fans! New here but a life long Ruger Guy! What drove me here is a question about a Bearcat I bought years ago. It's in super 98%+ maybe 99%. Anyhow I'm trying to get a general clarification on my Serial Number 63532. Info I've found say it's a 1966? The Box and Docs say Super Bearcat. Am going to try and include a photo but new here I'm not sure how this will play out?!
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:21 pm
by Rugerologist
I could be mistaken but I believe this is a 65.
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:36 am
by ElNumeroUno
This looks like a Super Bearcat? I don't see the brass trigger guard. In about January, 1966, I bought my wife one for our 1st anniversary; # 66353. so it was likely a 1965 production. She never thought much of it until recently when I told her how much more it was worth than I paid for it-$39.00 if I recall correctly!
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:58 am
by Fox Mike
As was said, it is a '65 model and is NOT a Super. The Supers were all 91 prefix serial numbered and produced form '71 - '74. You have a Super box and an standard Bearcat revolver.
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:23 am
by d findley
If that is an aluminum trigger guard; maybe a "Blackguard"?? If it's steel, must be replaced?
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:35 pm
by flattop44
Agreed, I think it may be in the "Blackguard" serial number range. Pretty sure they are listed in Dougan last book.
Is the hammer a "Wide Spur", kinda looks like it in picture? If so it is a "New Bearcat" hammer someone installed. I am not on big screen or at place to look up info.
FT44
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:38 pm
by Rugerologist
I've been combing through John Dougans book Know your Ruger Single Actions The Second Decade 1963-73 and I'm not finding reference to the blackguard range. My copy is from 1991 though so perhaps this information was added in a later addition or book? I've been trying to find the answer but it's eluding me.
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 3:27 pm
by O M CRAZY
I don't know nothing about Bearcats , sorry. But I like the knife!
O M CRAZY
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:35 pm
by ShootStr8
Thanks guys, should have done so earlier but thought I knew stuff I didn't! So thanks for all the input! Now with what I've learned I hope you'al can help and suggest a value?
This is a Super Bearcat Ser. 91-63532 from 1974. The pistol is all of 99% if you'll consider that all original parts are still with though some are in the box in a bag?! Saw the parts bag before, but never looked very close. Made the assumption that these were parts from a Factory Conversion to add the Hammer Block. Wrong!! A previous owner for whatever reason sent the pistol back to Ruger to have a Wide Top Hammer (along with every internal part and trigger) Installed. As I mentioned all the original parts are with and in the 1974 Super Bearcat 22lr. This 1974 Super Bearcat came according to what I've learned came originally with a 'Blued Trigger Gaurd' as many, most or all Super Bearcat's made from early 1972 thru the end of production in 1974. Info states 37,000 were made with Brass and only 27,000 were made with Blued Trigger Gaurds. Looking at mine under magnification it's very clear that the grinding/buffing striations match from Frame thru the Blued Trigger Gaurd. Ok, all I supply (?)...What's she worth?
Re: Ruger Bearcat Serial Number?
Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 3:18 pm
by ShootStr8
O M CRAZY wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2017 3:27 pm
I don't know nothing about Bearcats , sorry. But I like the knife!
O M CRAZY
Yes that was an amazing old Case XX Kodiak. Leather Sheath with pressed Alligator Skin Pattern. Sold to a serious Kodiak Collector...wanted it..made the preverbal Unrefusable Offer.