M77 Serial Number Prefix correct?

[RJ556]

I have recently purchased an All Weather M77 Hawkeye rifle in 30-06 Spr. caliber. I have not seen the rifle yet. I am in Europe now and I plan to import the rifle over here to Romania next summer. I question the correctness of the serial number prefix. I had not heard of a Hawkeye serial number prefix higher than 712. On my receipt, the serial number of the rifle is 771-XXXXX. On the Ruger website, I did not see serial prefixes listed that high. The reason I am concerned is that when I apply for the permit to import, I want the serial number to be correct. I will have the dealer recheck the correctness of the serial number before I commit the import papers, but I am curious and am sure one of you knowledgeable Ruger guys know if the Hawkeyes are up in the "712" range. Thanks, RJ

 

[rugerdczr]

Pre fix 771 should be a Model 77 Tang Safety Model not a Hawkeye! Have the number checked again it's more than likely a 710 Prefix.

 

[RJ556]

Rugerdczr, thank you very much for the info. I believe the dealers rep probably misread the prefix as 771 when it is probably 711. Anyway I will definitely get a "for sure" on it before I submit my "Permit to Import" papers. RJ

 

[chet15]

Be sure to report back to us on how that one turns out. I would not be surprised if some of the earliest M77 Hawkeye rifles with mannlicher stock also had a 771- prefix. The only difference between the M77 International and the Hawkeye International would be the receiver saying Ruger Hawkeye. But there were no other changes. Even the checkering stayed the same. So the Hawkeye International model was a "Hawkeye" in name only.
Chet15

 

[RJ556]

I just got off the phone with my dealer. He did have the rifle stored on premises. He checked the S/N while I held the line and the prefix was indeed, 711. So the person that filled out my receipt, wrote it down incorrectly or the person reading the number on the rifle or box, read it incorrectly. At least I can get it correct when I fill out my export paperwork. Thanks for the help. RJ