Hondo44
Hawkeye
I have a 1st variation Lightweight Tri-color # 204XXX. But too nice to shoot. Recently paid $195 for a no-finish 4 5/8" barrelled single six. Thought I had a compact 3 screw shooter. But, when I picked it up the 1st time after delivery to my dealer, I hit myself in the chin with it! I knew immediately I had a lightweight; maybe another 1st variation with very early number 200242. I think they started at 200032 (?).
Now here's where it gets interesting:
There's enough grey finish left on the cylinder frame to know it started life as a tri-color. BUT it has a blued steel cylinder AND does not have an "S" behind serial # or on bottom of the frame so doesn't appear to be an "S" model from 1964 or 1965. However, there is a capital "R" stamped in the underside of the cylinder frame under the trigger guard/grip frame. It has an XR3 grip frame with period correct walnut grip panels and medallions, earliest very curved trigger, #1 style ejector rod, #2 style steel housing, and although this gun obviously should have a flatgate, there is one of those aftermarket ill fitting contoured gates in its place. (now I have two for sale or trade)
Here are my questions:
Since it's not "S" stamped and still retains early trigger, #1 e. rod, #2 steel housing and XR3 grip, could I have another 1st variation tri-color retrofitted with a steel cylinder? When sent back to Ruger for retrofitting a steel cylinder (as so many were according to Dougan) did the factory stamp an "R" located as I described above? Does anyone have a Ruger contoured gate from the 3 screw era or flatgate to trade or sell? Does any one have a #4 alloy housing with no or little finish to somewhat make up for the weight of the steel cylinder? Were factory retrofitted cylinders engraved with the gun's serial #?
Well at least I have a lightweight I can shoot now. Thank you.
Now here's where it gets interesting:
There's enough grey finish left on the cylinder frame to know it started life as a tri-color. BUT it has a blued steel cylinder AND does not have an "S" behind serial # or on bottom of the frame so doesn't appear to be an "S" model from 1964 or 1965. However, there is a capital "R" stamped in the underside of the cylinder frame under the trigger guard/grip frame. It has an XR3 grip frame with period correct walnut grip panels and medallions, earliest very curved trigger, #1 style ejector rod, #2 style steel housing, and although this gun obviously should have a flatgate, there is one of those aftermarket ill fitting contoured gates in its place. (now I have two for sale or trade)
Here are my questions:
Since it's not "S" stamped and still retains early trigger, #1 e. rod, #2 steel housing and XR3 grip, could I have another 1st variation tri-color retrofitted with a steel cylinder? When sent back to Ruger for retrofitting a steel cylinder (as so many were according to Dougan) did the factory stamp an "R" located as I described above? Does anyone have a Ruger contoured gate from the 3 screw era or flatgate to trade or sell? Does any one have a #4 alloy housing with no or little finish to somewhat make up for the weight of the steel cylinder? Were factory retrofitted cylinders engraved with the gun's serial #?
Well at least I have a lightweight I can shoot now. Thank you.