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!