Welcome to immediately’s Photo of the Day! Right here we’ve got a prototype Ruger SP101 attributed as Invoice Ruger’s private sidearm, documented by a letter signed by Kurt Vogel, who was Invoice Ruger’s grandson via marriage to his daughter. The serial quantity prefix “880” is confirmed by Ruger as designating manufacturing unit prototypes. Invoice Ruger based Sturm, Ruger & Firm in 1949 with Alexander Sturm and constructed it into certainly one of America’s largest firearms producers. Ruger was a hands-on designer who stayed concerned in product growth all through his life. He died in 2002, and this SP101 would have been certainly one of his private carry weapons in the course of the mannequin’s growth and manufacturing.
The SP101 was launched in 1988 as Ruger’s small-frame double-action revolver designed for hid carry and private protection. Constructed on a wholly new body dimension between the older Safety-Six and the tiny LCR, the SP101 was engineered for power and reliability with trendy manufacturing strategies. The total-length ejector rod shroud and five-shot cylinder in 9mm Parabellum made it compact however succesful.
Chambering the SP101 in 9mm was uncommon for a revolver on the time. Most defensive revolvers had been chambered in .38 Particular or .357 Magnum. The 9mm model required moon clips for extraction however supplied ammunition compatibility with semi-automatic pistols and doubtlessly higher feeding reliability than rimmed cartridges in some circumstances.
The prototype designation “880” confirms this was an early growth gun relatively than commonplace manufacturing. Ruger would have carried manufacturing unit prototypes to check them in real-world circumstances and determine any points earlier than full manufacturing. Engineers and firm founders carrying their very own prototypes was commonplace observe within the firearms trade.
Most of our POTDs make the most of pictures from our pals at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms public sale in the USA. Take a while to browse their current auctions – who is aware of, perhaps you’ll discover a piece of historical past to take dwelling!
“Prototype Ruger Mannequin SP101 Double Motion Revolver Attributed as Invoice Ruger’s Private Sidearm.” Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/1049/1783/prototype-ruger-model-sp101-revolver-attributed-to-bill-ruger. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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