# 17 Rugers

[JAYDAWG]

The November 1996 Gun Journal had a picture that covered the front & back covers of four #17 Rugers, the 357 Flattop, 44 Flattop, 44 Super BH, and the Hawkeye. Attached are pics of the covers and a short write up about the cover guns.
I am lucky enough to recently have become the next caretaker of the Hawkeye and the Mahogany cased Super. I can hardly believe my luck!
The Super is pictured in John Dougans Vintage Years book on page 275.
Curious if anyone remembers this, what they might know about the two gentlemen who loaned these for the photo, or any other thing to learn me up about the provenance of these two I have. And of course if the 2 flattops are out there

Any and all help is appreciated.

Cheers,
Jay

[gunman42782]

Congratulations! That is awesome!

[T.A. Workman]

Jay,
As the old adage goes "Your Living Right"
Great scores!
Terry

[Hawkeye28]

Great posts! ...........BTW, I do not know if I have number 3 of the rare mahogany case on the right of the photo, or number 2,.......whichever, there is one here in the RSSE's cave...... It seems quietly happy here. Last, SN 17 was assigned to Judge Anderson, noted as head of the defunct Ruger distributor, California Wholesale.........the 44 and 357 Flattops lived with Ralph Kempf, and the Super and Hawkeye were with Wes Durkle, at the time of my copy of the Low Serial Number Assignee listing, 4/15 2007.
Footnote,************* A little birdies sez Terry W may have become the recipient of the late Ralph Kempf's "stuff" so one may inquire of him regarding the Flattops...........Just an idea of course....Splitz

[Coogs]

And the #17 Maximum is..........right here......

[SteveRuger]

Those are Great Guns been a lot of years since I have seen them!
Congratulations!

[JAYDAWG]

Thanks gunman & Terry. I'm a lucky boy for sure.
Coogs....really!?!? I am shocked

Hawkeye, Thank you, very good info for myself learning about the history of what I have, appreciate it very much. Sent you a PM sir.

Steve, good talking to you my friend, and hearing what you knew about their history as well.
ROCS is the best because "old timers" like you are willing to help those of us still learning.

Cheers,
Jay

[Brass Frame]

Jay, I am the happy owner of a "sample" wood case for the BKH 3. It came to me with a factory verified Color Case .357 FT. in the original box and shipper both properly marked. Brass Frame/Lee E.

[chet15]

I think there are three of the .357 sample prototype cases known now, as well as one for a Single-Six.
Chet15

[JAYDAWG]

My good fortune continues.
After posting this, a ROCS member, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted me and offered up the #17 44 mag & 357 mag Flat tops to bring these four back together.
Well, needless to say........UPS showed up today!

Cheers,

Jay