Ruger Red Label Model 04137 12 Gauge 30 Inch Stainless Over Under Shotgun, Manufactured 1999
Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $2,374.00
The Ruger Red Label is one of the most recognizable American made over under shotguns of the modern era. This Model 04137 represents the rugged All Weather side of the Red Label family, pairing stainless steel construction with black synthetic furniture, 30 inch interchangeable choke barrels, a mechanical single selective trigger, and selective ejectors. Manufactured in 1999, this 12 gauge example remains in Very Good Plus to Fine condition and includes its serial matching box, factory paperwork, and additional choke tubes.
Identification
MMA#: 260626VV002
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Red Label, 04137
Serial Number: 411-32173
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 3 Inch Chambers
Action Type: Top Lever Break Action Over Under Shotgun with Mechanical Single Selective Trigger and Selective Ejectors
Barrel Length: 30 Inch Vent Rib
Choke: Interchangeable Choke Tubes. Skeet over Skeet Installed
Weight: 7 lb. 11.6 oz.
Sights / Optics
The front sight is a brass bead fixed to the ventilated rib above the muzzles. A smaller mid rib alignment bead provides an additional reference point.
The top surface of the rib is textured to help reduce glare and provide a clean sighting plane.
Stock Configuration & Condition
The shotgun is fitted with two piece black synthetic furniture consisting of a checkered forend and buttstock with a checkered capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and black rubber buttpad.
The stocks show handling and storage marks, scuffs, rubs, and light draglines. The checkering remains mostly well defined, with some small interruptions on the left side of the forend.
Length of pull measures approximately 14 1/2 inches. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2 inches and drop at heel approximately 2 5/8 inches.
Overall stock condition: Very Good Plus to Fine.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
This shotgun retains approximately 94 percent of its metal finish. The stainless surfaces show handling and storage marks, scuffs, swirls, light draglines, rubs, and a few small nicks consistent with use.
The markings remain clear.
Overall condition: Very Good Plus to Fine.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: Both smooth bores are mostly bright. There is some mild stubborn fouling but no erosion. In the original evaluator’s opinion, the bores rate 9.5 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The firearm was cleaned and received a mechanical function check prior to cataloging. As with any previously owned firearm, additional cleaning may be desired depending on individual maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
Included are:
Serial matching factory box
Factory paperwork including the manual
Two Skeet choke tubes installed
Full choke tube
Modified choke tube
Improved Cylinder choke tube
Choke wrench
Our Assessment
Introduced in the late 1970s, the Ruger Red Label was an unusual proposition in the American shotgun market. At a time when many of the best known over under sporting guns came from established European manufacturers, Sturm, Ruger & Co. developed an American made alternative that reflected the company’s characteristic emphasis on robust construction, practical engineering, and durability.
The result became one of Ruger’s most distinctive long guns.
This Model 04137 represents an especially utilitarian interpretation of the Red Label concept. Rather than traditional walnut and blued steel, it combines stainless steel construction with black synthetic stocks, creating an over under intended to tolerate the wet, dirty, and occasionally unforgiving conditions encountered in the field.
The 30 inch ventilated rib barrels are chambered for 3 inch 12 gauge shells and threaded for interchangeable choke tubes. Skeet over Skeet tubes are currently installed, while Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder tubes are also included. This range of choke options allows the shotgun’s configuration to be adapted for different clay target and field applications.
Its mechanical single selective trigger and selective ejectors provide the features expected of a serious sporting over under, while the stainless construction and synthetic furniture distinguish it sharply from the more traditional Red Labels commonly encountered with walnut stocks.
At 7 pounds, 11.6 ounces, this is a substantial sporting shotgun without becoming excessively heavy. The combination of 30 inch barrels, interchangeable chokes, and durable construction makes the configuration particularly well suited to a shotgun intended to be used rather than merely displayed.
This 1999 example remains in Very Good Plus to Fine condition, retaining approximately 94 percent of its original metal finish. Both bores remain mostly bright with no erosion and were rated 9.5 out of 10. The package is made more complete by its serial matching factory box, manual, additional choke tubes, and choke wrench.
For Ruger collectors, American shotgun enthusiasts, or sportsmen interested in the less commonly encountered stainless and synthetic side of the Red Label family, the Model 04137 is a distinctive example of Ruger’s approach to the classic over under shotgun.
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