Who has the oldest, nicest Ruger Standard Red Handle?

1743 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by arcticruger, 2 mo ago

Tony Hudson

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2021

Mine is a 1950 with serial number 11063. I think its in excellent condition with the original box.

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SGW Gunsmith

· #2 · Oct 26, 2021 (Edited)

Excellent!

So far, looks like you do.

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Theo98

· #3 · Apr 13, 2022

Tony Hudson said:
Mine is a 1950 with serial number 11063. I think its in excellent condition with the original box.

Very nice, Tony...Looks in great condition!! With that SN, appears to be a Type "7" Red Eagle, of which 1350 were produced (see attachment)!

Little late to the thread. Just read of Dennis Wood's passing (Obituary)...may he RIP!!

My Ruger Red Eagle (see thread HERE) still doesn't have an original 1950 Standard box, but I did obtain an original 1949 Standard Operating manual! To date, haven't shot and won't...saving as a collection piece to pass on to my eldest son one day!

There are 3559 prior Ruger Standards to mine (a March 1950 Type "2"-now recognized as the rarest "Production Type"). I know earlier iterations are out there (probably most with collectors), but I'm very happy I had the opportunity to obtain this one!!

Ted

Rectangle Font Material property Parallel Pattern

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Tony Hudson

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 13, 2022

Theo98 said:
Very nice, Tony...Looks in great condition!! With that SN, appears to be a Type "7" Red Eagle, of which 1350 were produced (see attachment)!

Little late to the thread. Just read of Dennis Wood's passing (Obituary)...may he RIP!!

My Ruger Red Eagle (see thread HERE) still doesn't have an original 1950 Standard box, but I did obtain an original 1949 Standard Operating manual! To date, haven't shot and won't...saving as a collection piece to pass on to my eldest son one day!

There are 3559 prior Ruger Standards to mine (a March 1950 Type "2"-now recognized as the rarest "Production Type"). I know earlier iterations are out there (probably most with collectors), but I'm very happy I had the opportunity to obtain this one!!

Ted
View attachment 15630

Hi Ted
Your Ruger is a beauty for sure. Would love to get my gloved hands on that one...lol. Really appreciate the info and letting know the types. I too wished I could find a nicer box for mine. It's very worn but at least I have it.

Tony

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MarkII Fan

· #5 · Apr 17, 2022

Long time lurker but finally a newly registered member here. I was searching for a birth year, 1953, one but finally picked up a 1950 Red Eagle, serial 4847. That makes it a Type III, 5400 produced. I wasn't looking for a mint example ($$$$$) but a well worn shooter piece ($$) which is what I got. Holster wear and a bit of superficial rust speckling but will clean up nicely. Major scare was the mainspring pivot pin had walked out into the frame but I got it back with lots of receiver on wood whacking which enabled me to get the mainspring assembly pulled. I've done a detailed strip on it and plan on replacing springs, firing pin and extractor. I also need a new safety and will see if I can fit a Volquartsen sear and hammer bushing. Parts on order and look forward to plinking with a mechanically restored 1950 Ruger. I'll leave the exterior as be. Adds character and a testament to it's use over the past decades.

SGW, Sarona Gun Works, Dennis Wood was the expert on Ruger Mark series. Actually conversed with him a few years ago when I sent in a frame for some work. Put out many a post when he was on Rimfire Central and also I see here. The guy knew his stuff when it came to Rugers.

Between RFC (Rimfire Central) and Ruger Pistol Forums I've picked up quite a bit of knowledge. Also the book "Encyclopedia of Ruger, Semi-Automatic Rimfire Pistols, 1949-1992" by Chad Hiddleson has a wealth of info and pics on the MKI and II pistols. Several years ago, as a newbie owner, I was ready to chuck my first MKII out the window when I couldn't figure out how to reassemble it. Now I feel pretty confident in replacing/fitting components and fixing any problem encountered with them. One early Standard, five MKIIs and two MKIIIs in the safe and counting. Don't plan on getting a MKIV, I like the old school stuff.

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Tony Hudson

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 17, 2022

MarkII Fan said:
Long time lurker but finally a newly registered member here. I was searching for a birth year, 1953, one but finally picked up a 1950 Red Eagle, serial 4847. That makes it a Type III, 5400 produced. I wasn't looking for a mint example ($$$$$) but a well worn shooter piece ($$) which is what I got. Holster wear and a bit of superficial rust speckling but will clean up nicely. Major scare was the mainspring pivot pin had walked out into the frame but I got it back with lots of receiver on wood whacking which enabled me to get the mainspring assembly pulled. I've done a detailed strip on it and plan on replacing springs, firing pin and extractor. I also need a new safety and will see if I can fit a Volquartsen sear and hammer bushing. Parts on order and look forward to plinking with a mechanically restored 1950 Ruger. I'll leave the exterior as be. Adds character and a testament to it's use over the past decades.

SGW, Sarona Gun Works, Dennis Wood was the expert on Ruger Mark series. Actually conversed with him a few years ago when I sent in a frame for some work. Put out many a post when he was on Rimfire Central and also I see here. The guy knew his stuff when it came to Rugers.

Between RFC (Rimfire Central) and Ruger Pistol Forums I've picked up quite a bit of knowledge. Also the book "Encyclopedia of Ruger, Semi-Automatic Rimfire Pistols, 1949-1992" by Chad Hiddleson has a wealth of info and pics on the MKI and II pistols. Several years ago, as a newbie owner, I was ready to chuck my first MKII out the window when I couldn't figure out how to reassemble it. Now I feel pretty confident in replacing/fitting components and fixing any problem encountered with them. One early Standard, five MKIIs and two MKIIIs in the safe and counting. Don't plan on getting a MKIV, I like the old school stuff.

That's a great story! I picked up a 1962 that I came across in a pawn shop which I only bought because it was my birth year. Wasn't even in the market for one but had to have it. I broke it down, cleaned it up and now really enjoy shooting it.

My 1950 that I purchased last year was at a gun show. The guy that was selling it had brought it in a few times and I was always checking it out and finally decided to buy it after getting him to come off the price some. It's one I'll probably never shoot. I haven't taken the time to break it down. I probably should to be sure it's all there...lol. It supposedly came with the original box but not in the best condition. From what I can tell it looks accurate.
I get out to as many gun shows as I can and I'm always look for them. Sure hope to come across a better looking box for it but if I don't find it I'm not going to worrry about it.

Good luck in the search for a 1953 version.

Tony

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arcticruger

· #7 · 2 mo ago

MarkII Fan said:
Long time lurker but finally a newly registered member here. I was searching for a birth year, 1953, one but finally picked up a 1950 Red Eagle, serial 4847. That makes it a Type III, 5400 produced. I wasn't looking for a mint example ($$$$$) but a well worn shooter piece ($$) which is what I got. Holster wear and a bit of superficial rust speckling but will clean up nicely. Major scare was the mainspring pivot pin had walked out into the frame but I got it back with lots of receiver on wood whacking which enabled me to get the mainspring assembly pulled. I've done a detailed strip on it and plan on replacing springs, firing pin and extractor. I also need a new safety and will see if I can fit a Volquartsen sear and hammer bushing. Parts on order and look forward to plinking with a mechanically restored 1950 Ruger. I'll leave the exterior as be. Adds character and a testament to it's use over the past decades.

SGW, Sarona Gun Works, Dennis Wood was the expert on Ruger Mark series. Actually conversed with him a few years ago when I sent in a frame for some work. Put out many a post when he was on Rimfire Central and also I see here. The guy knew his stuff when it came to Rugers.

Between RFC (Rimfire Central) and Ruger Pistol Forums I've picked up quite a bit of knowledge. Also the book "Encyclopedia of Ruger, Semi-Automatic Rimfire Pistols, 1949-1992" by Chad Hiddleson has a wealth of info and pics on the MKI and II pistols. Several years ago, as a newbie owner, I was ready to chuck my first MKII out the window when I couldn't figure out how to reassemble it. Now I feel pretty confident in replacing/fitting components and fixing any problem encountered with them. One early Standard, five MKIIs and two MKIIIs in the safe and counting. Don't plan on getting a MKIV, I like the old school stuff.

Congrats on the 4-digit red eagle. Definitely a piece of history. And you’re right about Hiddleson‘s book, the early Ruger Automatic Pistol Bible. He also runs RENE (Red Eagle News Exchange) newsletter. Every Ruger enthusiast should have both!

And here’s a 1953 year for a little incentive to keep the hunt going: