Ivories with a Story
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2026 2:29 am
Wow ..Ivories make a revolver POP
I found out some interesting history on this set of ivories! They belonged to Roy Melcher:
Roy Melcher was a highly regarded, longtime engineer and gun designer at Sturm, Ruger & Co. who worked directly with
Bill Ruger Sr. and was considered one of his last remaining key "hands" in bringing designs to reality.
Key details regarding their association include:
Key Designer & "Hand": Melcher was responsible for turning Bill Ruger’s ideas into tangible designs, particularly in the later years when Bill Sr. was limited by arthritis.
Major Projects: Melcher contributed heavily to several iconic Ruger firearms, including the Security-Sixrevolver series, the Mini-14 project, the 77/22 bolt-action rifle, and the M77 Mark II.
Return from Retirement: He was called back from retirement by the company around 2003 to re-tool the Mini-14 production line.
Final Contribution: His last major achievement was designing the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, a project he worked on just before his death from cancer, which coincided with the start of its production.
Melcher was known as an accomplished designer in his own right, often bringing a hands-on approach to the company's manufacturing and design processes between 1968 and his passing.
I was fortunate to get the grips from another Ruger Forum member who was a personal friend of Roys. He had admired these grips on Roys personal Single Six. Roy battled cancer and began, sadly, selling his collection in the fight. The Ruger forum member bought these grips not only because he had admired them on Roy’s Single Six but as a friend wanted to help Roy and the family. Roy passed December 20,2010 having worked at Ruger from 1968 until his death.
I found out some interesting history on this set of ivories! They belonged to Roy Melcher:
Roy Melcher was a highly regarded, longtime engineer and gun designer at Sturm, Ruger & Co. who worked directly with
Bill Ruger Sr. and was considered one of his last remaining key "hands" in bringing designs to reality.
Key details regarding their association include:
Key Designer & "Hand": Melcher was responsible for turning Bill Ruger’s ideas into tangible designs, particularly in the later years when Bill Sr. was limited by arthritis.
Major Projects: Melcher contributed heavily to several iconic Ruger firearms, including the Security-Sixrevolver series, the Mini-14 project, the 77/22 bolt-action rifle, and the M77 Mark II.
Return from Retirement: He was called back from retirement by the company around 2003 to re-tool the Mini-14 production line.
Final Contribution: His last major achievement was designing the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, a project he worked on just before his death from cancer, which coincided with the start of its production.
Melcher was known as an accomplished designer in his own right, often bringing a hands-on approach to the company's manufacturing and design processes between 1968 and his passing.
I was fortunate to get the grips from another Ruger Forum member who was a personal friend of Roys. He had admired these grips on Roys personal Single Six. Roy battled cancer and began, sadly, selling his collection in the fight. The Ruger forum member bought these grips not only because he had admired them on Roy’s Single Six but as a friend wanted to help Roy and the family. Roy passed December 20,2010 having worked at Ruger from 1968 until his death.
