Ruger Forum

Old Navy · October 1st, 2009, 04:46 AM

That frame change in 71 is, IIRC, when they were first stamped Mk I and why I call the guns prior to that stamp a pre-Mk I model. I have a Standard (what they were called prior to that stamping) that I got new in 1959 and it is not stamped Mk I and I have been looking for a stamped Mk I gun now for 2 years and find that everyone I contacted about a Mk I gun for sale has turned out to actually be a Pre Mk I gun w/o the Mk I stamp, the number of guns stamped Mk I was actually small compared to the other pre Mk I and Mk II guns. But I am still looking.

edlmann · November 15th, 2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Navy

That frame change in 71 is, IIRC, when they were first stamped Mk I and why I call the guns prior to that stamp a pre-Mk I model.

[SIZE="4"]No.

The standard models, before and after the 1971 grip frame change, came with fixed sights and slender barrels.

My 1975 Standard (RST4 #12-952XX) is NOT marked Mark I.

When the 1982 change came, all models, fixed or target sights, were stamped "Mark II".[/SIZE]

bigal · December 21st, 2009, 04:35 PM

You guys have a lot of great info. I have what I think is a Mark I, although it is not marked. The serial #127xxx indicates that it was manufactured in 1956. It has a ported barrel, and competition grips. Could this be a competition model?

Old Navy · December 22nd, 2009, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigal

You guys have a lot of great info. I have what I think is a Mark I, although it is not marked. The serial #127xxx indicates that it was manufactured in 1956. It has a ported barrel, and competition grips. Could this be a competition model?

Target models in those days were stamped Mk I if I am of correct info from other more knowledgeable people. Which let to some people referng to all pre M II as Mk I models.

Old Navy · June 18th, 2010, 06:02 PM

1959 Standard and 1984 Mk II Standard, what a pair. Notice the screw placement and medallions.

Yes both are original grips.

Paladin SWS · December 13th, 2010, 10:42 AM

I've always referred to mine as a MK I. Everybody understands that. It is however a Standard that was manufactured in 1969.

jframe · February 22nd, 2011, 07:45 PM

I'm kinda new to these pistols. Just bought a Mark I that is serialed 80-807xx. According to Ruger, it's 1971. But it appears to have pre-71 grips, because the lower screw on the left side is down low towards the magazine, and the medallion is on the left side as well. Any way to get a more detailed production date? Also, are there any smooth grips in wood available for these?

Old Navy · February 23rd, 2011, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jframe

I'm kinda new to these pistols. Just bought a Mark I that is serialed 80-807xx. According to Ruger, it's 1971. But it appears to have pre-71 grips, because the lower screw on the left side is down low towards the magazine, and the medallion is on the left side as well. Any way to get a more detailed production date? Also, are there any smooth grips in wood available for these?

I have a beautiful set of grips for the model that came in between in my two that was same screw pattern of Mk II but did not have the slide release for last round hold back. I you have one of those Mk I's and IIRC they are stamped Mk I, then for $12 shipping I will send them to you. These grips are finger groove, smooth dark wood. I put the right pannel on my Mk II and they really looked and felt good.

jframe · February 23rd, 2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Navy

I have a beautiful set of grips for the model that came in between in my two that was same screw pattern of Mk II but did not have the slide release for last round hold back. I you have one of those Mk I's and IIRC they are stamped Mk I, then for $12 shipping I will send them to you. These grips are finger groove, smooth dark wood. I put the right pannel on my Mk II and they really looked and felt good.

My gun is made like the pre '71 in the OP's picture above. Will your grips fit that pattern?

Old Navy · February 24th, 2011, 03:12 AM

If a pre 71 frame NO!! It has to be new frame with the Mk II type screw hole pattern, but without the bolt release. I showed them to a friend with one of the early new frame guns he bought new in '72 or '73, but he didn't want them because he's keeping it original for a grandson. The guy still has the box and sales receipt, or he did about 4 or 5 years ago.

tech16024 · March 22nd, 2011, 04:10 PM

Just bein a smart azz lol can delete after some good laughs

Ibseeker · June 2nd, 2011, 05:30 PM

Great info and interesting read. Thanks.

thecarfarmer · August 7th, 2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rugerguy

It can be, but as the grips can be moved off and on and from gun to gun , in some cases, it takes a combination of the grips medallions and the color of the eagle as well as the serial number ranges to know for certain.
The 'red eagle' is ONLY on the early RST-4 and the first Mark I targets ,till 1951, after like serial number 35,000 or so, and the death of Alex Sturm, these eagles were done in 'black' and stayed that way till the new models (late old models) of the early 70's.
In 1999, when the company made the 50th anniversary model RST-4 , they used a "red" background (around the eagle) in the medallions AND the bottom of the magazine. These 'red background' medallions are still being used today on the autos and I'm thinking because each year , they been adding another "anniversary" model of one kind or another (2003) the Single Six. Now 2005 the .357 mag flatop and last year (2006) , the .44 mag flatop came out and they went back to the "Old black eagle" medallions, but these are "Blackhawks", so stands to reason.......
Bottom line , one must still "know" the vintage (serial number ranges used) and the parts that were used during this time, "Normally", I add , as there can and is always "exceptions".

First off, I'd like to say "hi" to everyone; glad to have found this forum!

I have a question about a gun I just found, that caused me to do the searching leading me here - and it happens to fit in w/ this thread.

I just ran across an early Standard w/ black eagle grips; the gun doesn't appear to have been monkeyed with... but who knows what's happened over the last five decades!

Anyway, the S/N is 34XX, which should probably put it in the "red eagle" era, right? Well, a pic is worth a thousand words (and maybe two thousand when I'm the one doing the writing!

), but I don't see where to attach/upload a pic.

Anyway, it's 11:41; I've been snapping and editing pics for the last hour. Work comes too early! Will have to figure out how to post up here - but not tonite!

-Bill

James6591 · August 7th, 2011, 10:48 PM

Welcome from Australia. Great place to be, you will like it here.
Hi Bill.
Post up a welcome in the New User Section, people will see you there.

thecarfarmer · August 13th, 2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James6591

Welcome from Australia. Great place to be, you will like it here.
Hi Bill.
Post up a welcome in the New User Section, people will see you there.

Thanks for the kind welcome!

Now, since I've got off my lazy backside and set up a picasa album...

I'm hoping it'll show up in the pics; the serial # marked on the barrel is 3424. Wouldn't that put this girl in the 'red bird' era?

I've actually got a number of questions about the differences between this gun and my other one (s/n 136XXX); would actually kind of be a derail to this particular thread...

-Bill