P85

[d findley]

You may have seen this image in your latest Digest. Too small to read the print? Here are a couple of photos, large enough to read, pointing out the differences between the prototype and a production P85.
Left click image for a better pic.

[d findley]

Several years ago I bought a bunch of papers and Factory photos. They came from the ad dept. at Ruger. Several 8 X 10 B&W photos were in that stuff. One of the photos was of a prototype P85 serial number V000031. Small world.

[ElNumeroUno]

Carl,
Not clear; was your P85 #V00031 or 300-00031?
Lee

[ElNumeroUno]

Carl,
Did you get the #31 No.1? Or do you know where it is?
Lee

[d findley]

Production pistols closely resemble this prototype of the P85, serial number 880-00078.

[d findley]

Early production P85s came with a 2 piece barrel. Back portion was cast, front portion of cylindrical barrel steel. Change came to cut production time and cost.

[flattop44]

That is interesting, learn something everyday! Good info Don.
FT44

[stwbll1]

Lee
I had 300-00031 that was part of the Robert Dearden collection.

Was number 31 assigned to Robert Dearden? I know that 63 was Bob Thompson and 148 was Marie Sorge, do you know who any of the other top 200 where?

[chet15]

After reading the new Army requirements for a service pistol, including specifications on what the serial numbers should be on prospective prototypes, I wonder if that V000022 serial number range was actually what was requested of those manufactures who submitted examples for the Army trials in the mid-1980's?
Chet15

[stwbll1]

Mr. Findley: were there ever any prototypes that had Firehawk stamped on them or was that merely a concept that never made it to reality?