Hawkeye question

[gunslinger_h]

Howdy all. Since there is no Hawkeye area, I will try here. I have a Hawkeye that has the lightning on the side by the serial number. But there is something else that is strange about this handgun. If you let the light hit the barrel at a certain angle, you can see swirls in the barrel similar to a barber pole maybe. And you can feel them with your fingers. It does not effect the shooting nor does it effect the accuracy, but it looks strange. Kind of cool actually. It corkscrews on the barrel from the muzzle end all the way to the ejector housing. If anyone has any idea as to what this might be, I would be grateful for any information. Thanks, Hank.

 

[pisgah]

Sounds like it could be a hammer-forged barrel, rifled by being forged around a mandrel. They will often show the rifling pattern on the outside of the barrel. Some makers leave this very distinct, while others finish the surface so as to all but obliterate it.

 

[gunslinger_h]

pisgah. That was the first thing that came to mind for me, but I was and am unaware that Ruger hand forged any of their Hawkeyes, let alone any of their other handguns. If you have any information on that, I would appreciate it. It looks hand forged, except that the swirls do not match the rifling pattern when you compare. Does not mean it was not hand forged, just an anomaly that I cannot figure out. Thanks again, Hank.

 

[pisgah]

Not hand forged -- hammer forged. The process is completely mechanized, with tremendous triphammers pounding the whole length of the barrel blank. And truthfully, I don't know if Ruger has used hammer forged barrrels or not.

 

[captainkirk]

They have used Hammer forged barrels (look at the 10-22 target model), but I doubt they were doing that back in the "hawkeye" (would that be "old model" :lol: ) era.


I am no authority on Hawkeyes, but the lightning bolt and the hammer forged barrel sound like aftermarket additions to me. Maybe Mr. 28 will chime in.

captainkirk

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

I have two Hawkeyes that show some of the uneven surface evidence noted, RE: uneven surfaces on the barrels, when you look down their length; Not very evident, but I know it/they are there. No evidence inside the barrel and I think it would be very apparent with a borelight. I write the condition off as a chattering manderel when the barrels were tapered/polished at original build. Second, the reddish lightning is due to materials in the metal casting of the frame. So, the more lightning the better I and others like it 8) ............... Nothing to be concerned about from my view.

 

[gunslinger_h]

Thanks Michael. I like it too. To call this uneven would be not quite right though, unless you call corkscrew swirls moving from the sight to the ejector rod uneven. Riflings are perfect, and it is not a redone barrel for sure. It is perfectly symmetrical, and whether good or not, it is very beautiful to look at, and I am perfectly satisfied with it. Lightning is very nice too, especially now that I know what it is. Like I said earlier, if I can get it to come out on a photograph, I will either post it or send it to you and a few other if I cannot figure out how to post it.lol I am as bad with a computer as I am good with a single action.lol Shameful actually.lol Thanks again Michael. Best to you my friend, Hank.

 

[flatgate]

I just have to ask..... does the barrel have Ruger's Proof Mark? Does the barrel have the proper rollmarks?

flatgate

 

[rugerguy]

we too have seen this anomoly and it was caused by the "final "polisher to spin "by hand" ,as he crossed the buffing wheel from say left to right, the barrel as he ( most likely a GUY) did the final polish, and will come out looking EXACTLY as you describe...still a good gun .....leave it be

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

we too have seen this anomoly and it was caused by the "final "polisher to spin "by hand" ,as he crossed the buffing wheel from say left to right, the barrel as he ( most likely a GUY) did the final polish, and will come out looking EXACTLY as you describe...still a good gun .....leave it be

Now that makes sense!
Thanks Dan

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I just have to ask..... does the barrel have Ruger's Proof Mark? Does the barrel have the proper rollmarks?

flatgate

For Hank,
Yes it is a Ruger Barrel. I think Dan hit on it. Sure is a great shooting pistolie. Hanks is the first one I have shot. Just needs to hold a few more bullets :wink:
Jim

 

[gunslinger_h]

Thanks guys. I am certain that it is a Ruger barrel. And I love the effect of the swirls. And Wyandot is right, shoots like a dream, just not enough bullets.lol I appreciate the responses. It is something that I had never seen in a Ruger before and I know that you guys have seen far more Rugers than I have. I would not trade it for any three Hawkeyes. I like the swirls and the lightning and the plum. Thanks Dan for giving me an idea why. I always like to know why. Best to all here, Hank.