Old Model Blackhawk

[Hawkeye28]

WE miss Ms Kim Pritula and her staff ........who knew there were three (3!) sources of information in that one office.........Loved late Friday afternoon discussions with the fabled Jennifer.............

[chet15]

Could be Bill. I’m just not sure. I wish Ruger had better records!

If you let us know the full serial number we can tell you if it more than likely left the factory as a BKH-40. I can say right now there are a lot of BKH-40's in the 18xxx serial number range, from 18622 right up to 19000 and into the 19xxx and 20xxx range.
Ruger's daybook probably doesn't even show BKH-40 for that serial number, so they might need to go back to the original invoice... which may not exist any more.
Chet15

[Gunner0357]

Chet15,

The serial number is 18934.

Dan

[chet15]

Chet15,

The serial number is 18934.
Dan

Yes, definitely falls within the huge block of 10" guns.
Once the letters start coming from Ruger again, you might try to see if that gun will letter as being plated. Chances are it wasn't done by the factory as only one gun is believed to have been plated for Ruger's 1960 to 1963 trade show displays, a 20xxx range gun. But who knows, they may have done more than one.
Chet15

[Gunner0357]

Chet,
How many of the 10” guns were made?
Dan

[chet15]

Chet,
How many of the 10” guns were made?
Dan

I've estimated around 1,500. This is probably pretty close. The 10" serial number blocks rarely have an oddball barrel length within them.
Chet15

[1911shiner]

Where is the trigger guard?

[Hawkeye28]

Would appear that it was removed/ground off of the XR3 grip frame.......WHY? large fingers.....gloved hand...........winter, or?