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RUGER
OLD MODEL
ENGRAVED”
SINGLE-SIX REVOLVER
PRODUCED
1954 - 1958
GENERAL
OVERVIEW
Once Ruger's production of the Single-Six was firmly
established in early 1954, Bill Ruger
began developing an “Engraved” gun program for the
Single-Six revolver. The
first group of guns were sent to Spain for engraving around the
end of 1954. Mr.
Ruger also commissioned a talented young engraver from Fulton,
NY by the name of Charles H. Jerred to begin engraving
the Single-Six revolvers. All
of the engraved Single-Sixes had 5-1/2 inch barrels.
The early engraved guns were “Flatgates”
and later engraved guns were “Roundgates”.
The majority of the grip frames were non-anodized
polished aluminum; however, a few of them were finished in
blue/black anodizing. The
engraving patterns had varying degrees of coverage during the
early stages of the program until the “standard
pattern” was finally settled on by Mr. Ruger.
Mr. Jerred engraved about 250 Single-Six revolvers over
about a four year period.
These "Engraved"
Single-Sixes came in a black leatherette display case with a
gold Ruger "Eagle" on the top.
The interior of the case, both bottom and top, was
covered in green cloth. The
guns could be ordered in pairs with consecutive serial numbers.
By mid-1958 the demand for the
engraved model had all but subsided.
The higher suggested retail price of $150.50 for the
engraved model versus $63.25 for the standard Single-Six model
at that time is believed to be the primary reason for the lack
of interest in these guns.
Today these guns are very rare, hard to find, and a must
for the collection of most serious Ruger collectors.
RUGER
OLD MODEL
“ENGRAVED” SINGLE-SIX
REVOLVER
SOME
OF THE
MAJOR TYPES
AND VARIATIONS
Single-Six, Engraved:
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Spanish engraved,
Flatgate,
varnished Walnut grips, fitted display case, 5-1/2”
barrel.
-
Jerred
engraved, Flatgate, varnished Walnut grips,
fitted display case, 5-1/2” barrel.
-
Jerred engraved,
Roundgate, varnished Walnut grips, fitted display case, 5-1/2”
barrel.
The book authored by John
C. Dougan, “Complements of Colonel Ruger”,
is highly recommended if you would like to gain an in-depth
background and understanding of the engraved Ruger Single Action
Revolvers, their serial number listing, year of manufacture,
etc.
Bill Hamm
Read more about Bill on the
"About Us" page.
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The Ruger Owners & Collectors
Society is an active organization for all Ruger Owners, Shooters and
Collectors. Annual Membership includes a ROCS Logo
Brassard, the latest Digest Magazine and an invitation to
ROCS events. There will be two Digest magazines published
every year. For more information and to apply for annual
membership please visit www.Rugersociety.com on
the web or write to ROCS, P. O. Box 1026, Killen, AL
35645-1026. We welcome you!!
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Click pictures for a larger version.
Very rare all-blue
factory-engraved Single-Six, serial #24372 with rare factory
ivory grip panels, in its factory display case.
Very rare all-blue
factory-engraved Single-Six, serial #24372 with factory ivory
grip panels, shown with rare early Ruger patch. This patch is
believed to be an example of the first factory Ruger patch.
Engraving on frame
& cylinder of #24372.
Engraving on bottom of
grip frame of #24372.
Engraving on bottom of
trigger guard of #24372.
Engraver Charles H. Jerred's initial monogram, located
on top of the barrel near the front sight.
Very rare all-blue
factory-engraved Single-Six, serial #24372 with factory ivory
grip panels (bottom center), shown with extremely rare
factory-engraved consecutive pair #44933 (left) and #44934
(right) and surrounded by rare period Ruger paraphernalia.
Engraving on frame,
barrel & cylinder of #44933, one of an extremely rare
factory-engraved consecutive pair.
Detail of engraving on
the screw heads of #44934, one of an extremely rare
factory-engraved consecutive pair. This example is possibly a
sample gun sent to Bill Ruger for approval.
#44934 with engraved
screw heads and aftermarket longer "Premier" loading
gate that probably replaced the Flatgate.
"Standard
Pattern" factory-engraved Single-Six #74390, shown with
its factory display case.
Inside view of factory
display case. You can see where the gun was displayed over the
years from the outline caused by the lack of fading of the
green lining.
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