Last week Centerfire Systems posted a bunch of short-barrel revolvers for sale. I bought one of the 2.75" stainless Ruger Speed Six guns. After that purchase, I looked over their list a little deeper and saw a S&W Model 30 listed for what I thought was a decent price, so I pulled out the wallet again and placed another order. Both guns arrived this week and I went to the dealer today to start my paperwork (stupid WA laws).
Not sure where they came from, but supposedly a police agency. One had an ad for Century Arms, which implies importation, but I did not find an importer mark on either gun. My buddy suggested maybe Puerto Rico.
Here is the Model 30 in .32 S&W Long. Looks to be in pretty good shape with some rust spots on top of the barrel and in the cylinder flutes, plus those funky pearly grips. I don't think it has been refinished. It is definitely marked "MOD - 30" in the frame cutout and the SN is 709xxx. I think that should make this a late Improved I-frame gun from around 1960.
For any Ruger fans, here's the Speed Six .357 Mag.
Definitely used with rubs in common places. Wear but no chips or cracks in the stocks. Looks like a great gun! SN is 160-88xxx, so it was made around 1985.
Both are still at the dealer in gun jail, so only the quick picks above for now.
And even FURTHER afield, I made it a three-fer at the dealer:
Rob