So I picked up a very nice OM Single Six with both cylinders and original box and papers. Looking up the serial number on Ruger's site, it falls in the category of Magnum Single Six, 1964 mfg. Reading Bill Hamm's article on them at Gunblast, the Magnum marked guns were only made from 1959-62. I wonder why Ruger continued to offer what was essentially a Single Six Convertible under 2 different serial number groups.

Andrew, I could be wrong, but I believe that gun was sold WITHOUT a Long Rifle cylinder. Someone added that cylinder.

I had one of those back around 1968 or so, and sent it in to Ruger to have the Long Rifle cylinder added. When it was returned they packed the second cylinder in the flannel bag.

Otony

According to the Red Eagle News Exchange's records, the "magnum only" guns were produced from 1959 thru 1964 . . . 300000 thru about 398349 . . . none known to have been produced after 1964.

Is your frame marked "RUGER SINGLE-SIX WIN .22RF MAG. CAL." or "RUGER .22 CAL, SINGLE-SIX"?

All the "magnum only" guns were 6-1/2" guns. Some were indeed furnished with an extra .22LR cylinder.

In addition, starting in late 1962 Ruger produced the "convertibles" in all the barrel lengths . . . starting at 340259, a number overlap series.

of the serial number. In exactly the same handwriting.

I emailed Bill Hamm about it. I'm sure there's a good answer.

with a completely different serial number stream until 1969. This gun is marked just like a regular Single-Six. I have seen a few Magnum marked ones. Wish I hadn't passed on the last on that was $300(DOH!!!!).

In 1962, Ruger produced Single-Sixes with numbers 187xxx thru 197xxx, 2440xx thru 2443xx, and 340xxx thru 351xxx. There were also "magnum only" guns in there in the 300xxx range.

With Ruger, never say "never".

Edited to add that all this info comes from the RED EAGLE NEWS EXCHANGE'S REFERENCE OF RUGER FIREARMS VOLUME ONE.

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NM

You have a very nice package there.

...a few years ago. The guy asked a reasonable price, but what really sealed the deal was that he documented the scarcity and desirability of the sixgun by displaying a printed copy of Bill Hamm's Gunblast article!

Unlike my brother, I seldom get recognized.

....and I guarantee you will stand out in folk's minds too!

Otony