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OK who has the oldest Ruger pistol?

9K views 30 replies 24 participants last post by  tarza 
#1 ·
The thread says it all. Who among us has the oldest Ruger pistol? I'll start it off. Below is my Pop's (now mine) Ruger Standard 22 pistol. Not even a Mark I -- a "Standard." Dad bought it in 1965 during the Watts Riots here in California. It is in like-new condition, and I just started getting it broken in. Again, vintage 1965. Who can top that or come close? Pictures please!

 
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#3 ·
My Ruger's were both made in 2011, so I am pretty sure I am out of the running. But my Uncle has a standard very similar to the one you have pictured. He dated it around 1968. It's amazing how the design has truly stood the test of time.
 
#4 ·
I bought one used, in the mid 70's. It's serial # is 1645XX, so I'm thinking 1958 or '59? It's had over 10000 rnds I've put through it, dont know how many the original owner had done. This gun just keeps on shooting. I've done no work on it, just good cleanings.
 
#5 ·
Redleg your Dad beat me to the gun shop by 6 years, but I've had my Mark 1 for 40 years now.

Still shoots like a champ, although the finish could use a little help.

 
#7 ·
Wow, that is the second oldest Standard I have ever seen (a picture of), mine being the oldest, grin.

Looks like it is still very serviceable. Mine is just starting to loosen up. The action is smoother after about 500 rounds going through her. I ordered a bunch of Mark I magazines from Ruger and the gun likes them fine.
 
#8 · (Edited)
My Single Six. Best I can determine, by serial number, manufactured between '66 and '67. Actually the first handgun I owned all by myself. Paid $40 for it with a "Cowboy" style, low slung, holster/belt rig I gave away. IIRC, in about 1970. Don't shoot her much anymore, but I'll never part with it...
 

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#15 ·
Wow, those are some beautiful pistols and revolvers! Keep the pics coming!

Took our 1965 vintage Standard to the range today and she continues to loosen up.
 
#17 ·
The re-bluing and/or parkerizing sure doesn't seem to have harmed the looks any. Beautiful firearms. In fact yours Standard looks just like mine. My son is getting a brand new SS Single Six for his birthday. His grandson will doubtless someday be shooting it. What a quality firearm!
 
#18 · (Edited)
Here I go opening a 2 plus year old thread, LOL! Looks like I have a slightly older "Standard" Ruger in about the same great shape. My Dad must of bought it around 1964, and was the only pistol he ever owned that I know of. Probably as a home defense gun, believe it or not. I'll try to remember to add a picture later hopefully. Its serial number 2554** which puts it in the 1964 period according to Ruger. :)
 
#26 ·
I HAD a Mk1/standard (not sure) when I was 15-16, one with the red emblem...and sold it.

I bought another with silver emblem, a 1978 model according to the serial number. I believe this is a standard model.

My oldest non-Ruger is a Colt .38 Police Positive that belonged to my wife's great grandfather who was either the police chief or sheriff in Vicksburg MS, from what I can tell it was made in 1908.
 
#28 ·
Don Findley leads the pack on this one. He has Standard Auto #0003 - the first Standard Auto Red Eagle shipped by the factory in 1949.

#3 was exhibited at this year's NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta. Check that out at The Ruger Owners & Collectors Society web site.
 
#29 ·
I see other Single Six revolvers here, so.....why not ? (*_-)

I have a Flatgate #66X, with the infamous 'plum discoloration'. It's on loan to a family member at this time, so I don't have a photo--sorry. I understand that only a handful of these were actually manufactured in the introductory year of 1953, so mine would be circa 1954.

Several years ago at a gun shop in Coos Bay, Oregon I got to see one numbered in the 2XX range, so mine isn't the oldest I've seen.
 
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