SS-32L

[ElNumeroUno]

Complete with box, manual, RCA Certificate, and RCA shipping box.seria# 157-164XX.
Visiting with a gentleman at the Kerrville Gun Show today.
Who can help him out with just what it is?

[RoninPA]

Well, don't want to seem to being snide but the RCA certificate completely describes it. Other than saying it was a military contract with Ruger to supply both Speed Sixes and Police Service Sixes (which may be marked just Service Six) inboth 2 3/4" and 4" barrels. These were issued to air crew members and the lanyard was used to secure the gun to their flight gear so as to not lose them during their mission. Some may also have been issued to security forces (MP's and AP's) and again the lanyards were attached to their duty belts to keep them secured. Note the manual is marked TM xxxxxx. "Technical Manual" is the way the military marks their operating and maintenance manuals. Note on the manual that at the bottom it shows the NSN (National Stock Number) of the model. Anything the military/government buys has a stock number assigned to it to be able to manage it. In this case the first 4 digits (1005) is the Federal Stock Code for firearms with calibers up to 30mm. The rest of the numbers breaks it down further to the actual item.

[ElNumeroUno]

Ron,
Thanks. The RCA Certificate was 40 years ago. Thought maybe you experienced Double action collectors had figured out more since then.
I sure don’t know anything.

[chet15]

These are overruns to the U.S. marked model. There were many times more marked with the U.S. than without, though the U.S. marked model will always bring bigger $.
Chet15

[RoninPA]

Thanks Chade, I forgot to add the statement. I have one that has the US markings and one that doesn't.