OLD MODEL BLACKHAWK ADDICTION

[Mcampa]

Ever since I went on my first hunting trip with a SuperBlackhawk in the 60's
I have been hooked

[flattop44]

Welcome aboard, you have come to the right place to confess your addiction.....as a fellow addict I certainly understand and encourage you to buy more to satisfy the craving!!
FT44

[Mcampa]

Thanks, was actually trying to research this Flattop that I have had for 30+ years and found the forum. The configuration is Odd or "rare" ..7.5" barrel with eagle on barrel, unfluted cylinder like SBH. and what appears to be a SBH grip frame.
I purchased this from original owner who was a family friend and has since passed so I have no history. I'm curious if this was pieced together from Blackhawk / SBH parts at the end of the Flattop production period... serial # puts it at about 1962 ?

[flattop44]

Thanks for the pics of an interesting .44 Flattop. If it left the factory with the non-fluted cylinder and 7-1/2" Eagle barrel it is indeed a rare Flattop. If it also had the Super grip frame when it left the factory it would be extremely rare!! Just from looking at your pictures the grip frame bluing does not appear to have the same finish as the rest of the gun but it could just be the pictures, you can be a much better judge on that. Does the cylinder looks to have the same finish as the cylinder frame? Of course those are the key to judging the originality. I would suggest that you get a factory letter to validate the 7-1/2" barrel. The other parts are certainly possible if it left the factory after August 1962 which I imagine your gun did.

You may want to pull the grip frame and look at the bluing on the cylinder frame underneath. If the steel Super Blackhawk grip frame was finished to the gun and then blued it should be in the white in that area. If it originally came with an alloy grip frame it should be blued. This may help you decide on the originality.

Let us know what you find out about the barrel length and ship date.

FT44

[Mcampa]

Thanks for the info and advice. I will send Ruger the Info for authenticity.
The grip frame is indeed odd. It is not blued on the leading edges where it mounts to the actual frame of the gun. And the backstrap is also not blued. It is like polished steel with a greyish color to it possibly from age? The actual trigger guard outer edges and underside are blued and seem to match the shade /age of the trigger and actual frame.
Almost like the bluing was removed to create a two-tone effect.
Hopefully Ruger can provide me with more info for curiosity sake. It would be nice to know if it were a "rare" species... Never the less, I enjoy it and will pass it to my Grandson one day...

[O M CRAZY]

That would sure be a rare gun if it was shipped from the factory that way. But as FT44 says the color of the grip frame and and color of the cylinder frame don't seem to match. It's hard to tell from the pictures but I am not sure the cylinder or barrel matches the frame? But who knows when it come to Ruger they have done some strange things in the past, especially when they are changing models. It is worth writing them to find out.

Anyway I bet it is a great shooter!

O M CRAZY

[Mcampa]

I'm Hoping to here from Ruger soon. Although based on what I've been reading, not sure if I will get all the answers I want. The Barrel, Cylinder, and cylinder frame all seem to match as far as Bluing goes and the slight wear on overall gun appears to be uniform and not redone. The grip frame definitely has me curious. As stated earlier, it is blued on the underside and on trigger guard. It is not blued on the leading edges of grip frame or the backstrap. Possibly intentionally done to "compliment" the aftermarket grips and give a two-tone effect??? I wish I would have asked more questions when I bought it but I was in my 20's and didn't know any better and the original owner has now passed..
I will update once I get more info...

[Mcampa]

Well,
I received notification from Ruger that in fact my Blackhawk was shipped from the Factory as model #BKH47 in January of 1963 so the 7.5" Eagle barrel is correct and I was told by Ruger that the non fluted cylinder could also be factory correct. As far as the Grip frame goes, I am unable to determine if it was shipped from Factory with the SBH
Grip Frame (doubtful, but possible according to Ruger). I was also informed by Ruger that a Super Blackhawk with the same serial # 29713 was produced and shipped sometime around 1967 ?
sure would be great to track down the SBH with matching #s and ad to my collection

[flattop44]

That's great news, an extremely rare BKH47 wit non-fluted cylinder. The January ship date helps validate the Eagle barrel and non-fluted cylinder. I believe that the grip frame was added later. It as very possible that it came with an XR3-RED grip frame......making it an rarer.gun.
FT44

[O M CRAZY]

That is great news. And as FT44 stated the shipping date you received from Ruger validates the barrel and the cylinder, making it a very rare gun. I have been looking for one in that configuration for a long time to add to my .44 collection, without any luck. You have got a goody!

O M CRAZY