coogs
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,673
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Post by coogs on Feb 20, 2011 19:18:35 GMT -5
Time to reveal another "piece" of the story. In August of 1983, Walter Howe, Special Projects Administrator, contacted one of the soon to be owners of United Sporting Arms of Prescott Arizona. Walter and this gentleman were well aquainted with each other at the time. The gun was pulled off the production line and sent off to Walter for testing. At least 100 proof loads were put through it as well as about 8000 "other" loads. The following letters probably give a better discription of the situation. The Seville now rests with a flock of its distant Ruger cousins! And............I got to say this...........Lee I'm really afraid ya can't have this one!!   United Sporting Arms Seville, Serial #357M-2097  End Label  Note inside of box lid.  Display card from previous owner.  Letter from Ruger explaining it all, signed by Walter Howe, Special Projects Administrator.  Letter to me from previous owner, who at the time was part owner of United Sporting Arms  View of top of barrel, note two pin size marks, Rockwell Hardess testing.  Side view of top strap, also two Rockwell Hardness testing marks. |
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Post by Mark Terry on Feb 20, 2011 22:07:31 GMT -5
Now, that's cooler than the other side of the pillow and quite a catch. Is there more to this story?
Thanks for sharing with us.
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bigkahunasix
.30 Stingray
Life is too short to use plastic guns.
Posts: 101
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Post by bigkahunasix on Feb 20, 2011 22:21:52 GMT -5
Very,very nice Sir.
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coogs
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,673
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Post by coogs on Feb 20, 2011 22:26:31 GMT -5
With Ruger there is always more to the story! I just give out little bits at a time............Kinda keeps 'em comin' back for more..............there WILL be more to follow......................Coogs.
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Post by bigbores on Feb 21, 2011 0:09:13 GMT -5
With Ruger there is always more to the story! I just give out little bits at a time............Kinda keeps 'em comin' back for more..............there WILL be more to follow......................Coogs. Don't make use bring back "water boarding"!... Great story can't wait to read more. |
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Feb 21, 2011 9:03:35 GMT -5
Wow!
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Post by Lee Martin on Feb 21, 2011 19:37:07 GMT -5
Coogs....thanks for posting pictures of the test Seville. I enjoyed talking with you over the phone last year about it. Nice to finally see photos. Quite a piece you have there. Lee www.singleactions.com |
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Post by Charger Fan on Feb 26, 2011 12:01:53 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the story & pics. That's quite a unique gun you've found. Looking at it, I would never guess it's had 10,000 rounds through it.
Regarding the Ruger patent approval stamp on the underside of the box lid, there's an (overpriced) .44 Seville on GB currently with that same stamp. I guess they did this on all the box lids for the Sporting Arms Inc. period of time?
My United Sporting Arms .375 box lid doesn't have that stamp.
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robl
.375 Atomic
These were the good ole days!
Posts: 1,415
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Post by robl on Feb 26, 2011 12:21:12 GMT -5
very interesting, thanks for posting this.
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Post by Lee Martin on Feb 26, 2011 18:02:15 GMT -5
The stamp refers to United Sporting Arms use a transfer bar that's very similar to Ruger's. In fact, Ruger almost sued them over it, but in the end an agreement was made. A lot of folks think the stamp is for the overall design of the gun, which it isn't. Most of the boxes that were marked as such were from '82 - '84. -Lee www.singleactions.com |
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coogs
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,673
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Post by coogs on Feb 27, 2011 12:55:07 GMT -5
Keep your fingers crossed Lee, I am suppose to get that actual "stamp", eventually!!! And like I said, there is a 2nd page to the letter from the owner.........I'll get around to posting that soon......................Coogs.
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Post by Lee Martin on Feb 28, 2011 9:29:59 GMT -5
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