mawkie
C&R Whisperer
-A couple of years ago I got an itch for a Ruger MKI. First step was to get schooled on them in general. So I picked up a copy of Don Findley's reference work "Bill Ruger's .22 Pistol". After some deliberation I came to the choice of an early 50's produced MKI. The early models sport black plastic grips and a Ruger medallion insert that's silver and red. Later, after the death of Ruger's business partner Alex Sturm in Nov. 1951, the insert color was changed to black and silver to note his passing.
-I spent the last two years keeping an eye out for just the right example. In the process I found my US military marked T678 but still no Red Eagle. Then last week I pulled up a listing on GB for a late SN range Red Eagle and was able to make it mine for well under $400. With the best Red Eagles now selling in the $500 range I felt this was a good price indeed.
-The SN puts production right around the time of Alex Sturm's death, the end of 1951. According to Findley Ruger sold the last of the Red Eagles from inventory in Feb. of 1952. Condition is VG with just one tiny, thin scratch on the left side of the receiver and some extremely minor edge wear in a couple of spots. The grip medallion is missing some red paint from the center. A solid 95 point example at least. It looks like this one spent most of its time in safe storage, an easy life.
-I spent the last two years keeping an eye out for just the right example. In the process I found my US military marked T678 but still no Red Eagle. Then last week I pulled up a listing on GB for a late SN range Red Eagle and was able to make it mine for well under $400. With the best Red Eagles now selling in the $500 range I felt this was a good price indeed.
-The SN puts production right around the time of Alex Sturm's death, the end of 1951. According to Findley Ruger sold the last of the Red Eagles from inventory in Feb. of 1952. Condition is VG with just one tiny, thin scratch on the left side of the receiver and some extremely minor edge wear in a couple of spots. The grip medallion is missing some red paint from the center. A solid 95 point example at least. It looks like this one spent most of its time in safe storage, an easy life.
