Another 44 flattop? 6'5"

[Hassel]

I just found this:


What am i looking at, and is it a run and buy thingy?

[Dave T]

It would be for me, depending on asking price and my current financial status. What you're looking at is the first 44 Magnum Ruger produced, and to some of us the best one as well. (smiley face goes here)

Dave

PS: I can't make out the serial number so no guess as to year of origin.

[bigbore45colt]

Hassell,

Depending on price, ABSOLUTELY...looks to have an XR3-RED gripframe, which, depending on s/n (which appears to be in the 29XXX range), would be correct for a late shipped gun. This is a very scarce variation that is very desirable to collectors.

Can you find out the s/n from the seller? Then call Ruger and get the ship date (should be mid/late 1962).

Just my $0.02

BB45C

[Hassel]

I'll se what I can find out
For other interested parties, I think I should point out that the gun is in Europe not in the USA. And althou not impossible to ship back to the states it does take some paperwork and similar hassle (Reminds me of the time when i could not import a ruger mini-14 into USA...)

[flattop44]

As Bigbore45colt pointed out, this could be a real scarce/rare hard-to-find gun. The "graying" color of the grip frame tells me that it is probably a correct gun in the #28XXX - 29XXX range. Hassel, you sure keep coming up with some good stuff!! Anxiously awaiting the s/n.
FT44

[flatgate]

Here's a pair of those scarce XR3-RED .44's. There exists one other pair, just one s/n apart from the
two shown here!

Nice find, for sure!

flatgate

PS I had the wrong vintage grips on the upper gun at the time of the photograph. Rest assured that situation has been rectified!

[Hassel]

Unfortunately not mine yet...

[Hassel]

Whooo....
Gun is theroreticaly mine now...
I jut won the auction at aproximately.... $311,5... + shipping and handling.
Still don't know the serialnuber... first time i ever got that nervous about a gun i boughtn on an auction...

[bigbore45colt]

Way to go, Hassel. That is one heck of a potential find! Please let us know when you get it what the s/n is.

BB45C

[Hassel]

And here I wasplaning not to get into Single action rugers at all... (Except for the Nine I got for cas shooting...)
No to get the gun shipped to my gundealer and then exportetd to a third gundealr in norway....
phew... As I said, gave never been that nervous with a gun buy before...