Flat Top With XR3-RED Grip Frame

[O M CRAZY]

Here's a little something I picked up at the Denver show when it walked up to my table. It's a 6 &1/2" .44mag Flat Top, Model BKH46, with an XR3-RED grip frame, s/n 285XX.

It was shipped in July of 1962 at the end of the Flat Top production. When Ruger ran out of the XR3 grip frames they substituted the newly designed XR3-RED grip frame. This was done on a very small quantity of .357mag. and .44mag. Flat Tops.

According to the Red Eagle News Exchange, RENE. there are only 15 .44mag. Flat Tops with XR3-RED grip frames know to exist today.

This is number 16!

O M CRAZY

[flattop44]

That is a very rare Flattop, happy for you. The "graying" grip frame and ship date validate its configuration correctness as shipped from the factory.

Displaying your other .44 Flattops in Denver paid off in more ways than one!

Bill

[Rugerologist]

Well, that's a heck of a find and beautiful pistol. The odds are greatly against you coming across something that rare. Maybe you should pick #16 and use the rest of the SN to fill in a Powerball ticket!

[Mike722]

Very hard to find!! Nice catch..

[chet15]

O M Crazy:
Did you send the serial number to me so I can add it to the list?
Chet15

[4t5]

After finding this post in an internet search, I joined the forum, great site you got here!
In 2004 I picked up a 44m flattop 6 1/2" bbl. Didn't think much at first, knew they were hard to
come by here in CT., it had some cheap plastic (white) grips on it which I replaced, and since then, put a couple hundred rounds a year through it.
After finding this post, I had to go check, and lo and behold, it has a xr3RED grip frame, I'm now a happy camper.
The serial# is 292xx, which if I've been paying attention means it was born in 1962,the ejector is straight and the "button" is round and flat, making this a type 4.
If the o.p. has 16th, then this would be the 17th. Just letting you know there are more out there, HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[flattop44]

Sounds like a great gun. Post some pictures for us to see.
Bill

[4t5]

You'll have to bear with me, kids are grown and have moved out, but I'll try.

[4t5]

[attachment=0110202056 - Shortcut (2)0]0110202108.jpg[/attachment]

[4t5]