This is a strange one

[50coupe]

Hi all.

I seem to be a magnet for items that have an anomaly to the norm. Try this one on for size. A Hawkeye, nice clean gun. #1950 (birth yr, had to have it) Period Bushnell Phantom on the barrel. Correct wide trigger, but with XR3 grip frame with matching black hard rubber grips. Had it apart and can't say positively yes OR no if the slot has been widened. Cosmetically it looks like it COULD be original. You just can't ever say never on a Ruger. Any one else have/seen one like this?

Thanks, Victor

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

In my custodianship of some 50+ of the venerable 256, I have never seen such a setup and know of no wide trigger slot XR3 frames. I have seen and do own Hawkeyes with SBH, and replacement XR3 RED frames both alloy and steel(stainless and blue) from the Ruger Old Army, all of which have wide trigger slots. Think it fair to opine that over the 50+ year span since your gun was manufactured, someone modified an XR3 frame as you describe. :D

 

[50coupe]

Yes, I agree that Vegas odds are that is the case. Sure would like to have a time machine.

 

[chet15]

I would also say the grip frame has been changed. When the Hawkeye was first advertised, it was also advertised with new XR3-RED grip frame.
Also, Hawkeye's were produced during the 1963/1964 time period. The last of the XR3 grip frames went out on flattops prior to October 1962. And the RED's started showing up on the Single-Six by late June 1962.
Chet15

 

[pruger45]

Didn't know the Hawkeye was made in 1950?

 

[contender]

The serial number matches HIS birth year.

 

[50coupe]

Sure would be cool to find out it was a leftover grip frame from the prototype stage of the Hawkeye that found it's way into the parts bin by accident. I think they were XR-3, no? All conjecture, no way to determine fact from theory. Just dreamin' in fantasy land.