Some Rare Rugers

 Happy Ruger Day everyone!

Today we are going to look at some of the rarest Ruger guns ever made.

This list could get really long and in doing research I kept unearthing more and more guns with special chamberings or options that made them rare. So here is a list, not comprehensive, but interesting none-the-less.

There were at least two 44 Carbines that left the factory with engraving, serial numbers 44 and 111, both engraved in 1962.

Ever seen a Ruger old model Flat top in .44 Magnum with a 15" barrel? Two were made, serial numbers 5000 & 5001. #5000 was cut down to 10" later and only 5001 remains.

Another one off is the smooth bore 10/22 rifle, wearing serial number 102222 (coincidence??). Built in 1968, there has never been an explanation from Ruger as to why this one gun left the factory without rifling. I would guess that it was done on purpose, considering the serial number.

There were two Ruger pistols that featured factory engraving, both done in February of 1956, Standard model serial number 109000 and Mark 1 serial number 71000, both were factory display guns.

Some experts will tell you that the Ruger Hawkeye was only produced in .256 Win Mag, but supposedly one of them was chambered in .357 SuperMag (357 Maximum).

There were two No.1 Creedmoor rifles made, both with custom checkered stocks and engraving. One was for Bill Ruger and one for John Amber. Bill Ruger's personal rifle is shown below, in 45-70 with a half-octagon 34" barrel.

There were six stainless Blackhawks in .357 Maximum produced, three were destroyed, which leaves three. This one is the only 7.5" .357 Maximum Stainless Blackhawk left in existence.

Only three 357 Blackhawks left the factory with engraving, the one below was serial #100, it was built for friend and associate Jack Behn. Behn owned the tool & die company that built the tooling for Ruger in the early days. The other two engraved Blackhawks were serial numbers 3203 & 3204 which were for Bill Ruger himself.

There were five 44 Blackhawks that were factory engraved, serial numbers 500 & 600 were engraved and given to actor Hugh O'Brian, the other three, serial numbers 1976, 2165 and 7498 were factory display guns.

Over the years Ruger filled a lot of contracts with law enforcement, one was to the Western Australia Police. The guns in question were the Ruger Speed Six in .38 Special. Some of the guns, going to the tactical division (think SWAT) team got the same guns only with a shorter barrel and chambered in .357 Magnum, but instead of stamping .357 Mag on the barrel the WA Police decided to have "W.A. Police" stamped on the barrel. 

Reasons for this are supposedly to prevent gun envy among the rank and file, but I believe it is due to the feminization of Australian men. Further proof is that once the WA Police switched to autos, the revolvers were destroyed rather than sold to the public or exported to America. The example below came from the Ruger factory collection and is believed to be the only one left in existence.

Only a few 10/22s left the factory with engraving (work performed at the factory or on behalf of the factory). Two of them were done in 1971, one to Bart Skelton, son of gun writer Skeeter Skelton, the other to gun writer RL Wilson. Bart's was a standard 10/22, while RL's was a Deluxe Sporter. The tops had floral engraving; the side had their name engraved. The serial numbers were just a few numbers apart.

Then there was the 5 millionth 10/22, engraved and given to the 4-H Shooting Program, who sold it at auction in 2008.

There have been a few others, like this one for the USA Shooting Team

Here is one of Bill Ruger's personal Mark 1 pistols, it is chrome plated, believed to be the only one ever done this way.

The 9mm Pilorget SS-92 Security Six prototype, five of the Pilorget revolvers were made, four were Service Six models like the one below and one was a Security Six.

The guns had a unique extractor design for 9mm Luger cases.

What have I missed? Comment below if you know of some really rare Rugers.