Ruger Gold Label 04602 12 Gauge Skeet SxS Side by Side Double Shotgun, 2005

SOLD FOR: $4304.97

LSB#: 210324DL30

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: Gold Label (Model #04602)

Serial Number: 460-01959

Year of Manufacture: 2005

Caliber: 12 Gauge, 3” Shells

Action Type: Top Lever Break Action Side by Side Double Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger and Ejectors

Markings: The top receiver tang is marked with the serial number, “460-01959”. The underside of the break lever is hand-scribed “1966”. The underside of the receiver is marked “GOLD LABEL / STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. / —U.S.A—” with a gold Ruger phoenix logo in between. The left side barrel is marked on the left side with “12 GA. 3″ CHAMBERS”. The bottom of the barrel lug is serial-matching, hand-scribed “1959”. The underside of the forend wood is marked with an inset gold Ruger phoenix medallion, and the interior of the wood is hand-scribed in chalk “TB / SB / FB”. The buttpad is marked “KICK-EEZ”.

Barrel Length: 28” with Serrated Barrel Rib

Choke: Both barrels are Threaded, Skeet is installed.

Sights/Optics: There is a brass bead fixed to the front of the barrel rib. The top of the rib is serrated to reduce glare.

Weight: 6lb, 12.6oz

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece American walnut with checkered straight grip and splinter forend, fluted straight comb, and brown rubber Kick-Eez buttpad. The left side of the buttstock has a handful of light drag lines that run from midway down to the belly where there is a more notable ding in the wood. The right side of the grip has a small cluster of minor nicks on the right side just over the trigger. There is a minor loss on the right side edge of the forend. The checkering is sharp. There are no cracks. The drop at comb is 1 1/2”, the drop at heel is 2 1/4”. The cast is slightly off. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad and 13 3/8” to the back of the wood. Apart from some minor discoloration at the heel, the buttpad is free of any notable damage. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good-to-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue Barrel Assembly with Stainless Steel Receiver and Forend Iron

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: Both bores are bright and there is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The barrels have scattered minor nicks that are most notable near the muzzles. The receiver has a few light scuffs primarily on the underside by the trigger. Screws show minor tool marks with strong slots, and all markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock up is tight with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Over/Under shotguns were a distinct improvement of traditional side by side double guns, mainly in terms of aiming and overall accuracy. At the time Ruger was bringing their Red Label to market, over/under double guns effectively a luxury item, out of reach of the average American consumer. Bill Ruger proceeded to do what Bill Ruger always did: saw the need of the market and filled it, investing serious time and money into doing it all in-house. As was often the case, Ruger filled the need with not just a comparable product, but one that defied expectations and added real value to the consumer. Of note is the utterly smooth receiver, free of any protruding screws or pins. This created a blank canvas for engravers. The Red Label shotgun cost in the late 70s $480.00 ($2,132.24 today, a painful reminder just how much further the US dollar used to go) and put in the hands of Joe Average a fine over/under double gun. Around 2004, late into the production life of the Red Label, Ruger introduced the Gold Label Side by Side. It maintained all the high-end construction of its Red Label cousin, and was quite light weight for a side by side. This example is from 2005 and is in overall Fine-plus condition with minor wear mostly noticeable on the stock. The Gold Label was only produced for a few years and was, like the Red Label, quietly discontinued in 2006, but did not see a re-introduction as did the Red Label. There were very few produced, and the example on offer here is a great, truly rare find. The bores are bright and clean, the lock up is solid, and mechanics are sound. Good luck and happy bidding!

Ruger Gold Label 04602 12 Gauge Skeet SxS Side by Side Double Shotgun, 2005
Ruger Gold Label 04602 12 Gauge Skeet SxS Side by Side Double Shotgun, 2005