Early Blackhawk Flattop in 44 mag

[DAP90]

A friend/coworker of mine is moving her father into memory care, and she asked me to help her sell a few of her father’s guns. Most aren’t anything to write home about, but one is interesting.

It appears to be a very early Blackhawk flattop in 44 mag and I was wondering if some of the resident experts could give me some history on it and maybe a guess at value. These are the only pictures I have, though I could get more if needed. I don’t know if the grips, etc., are original or if it’s had any work done to it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[.308 Norma]

Wow! Let me be the first to say, "That's a beauty!"
I have no idea what it's worth though. I don't think the grips are original but going by the "drag" marks (or lack thereof) on the cylinder, I don't think it's been shot much either. In short, I'd love to have it.

 

[243winxb]

https://horstauction.hibid.com/lot/165409402/ruger-old-model-blackhawk?ref=catalog$875 sold at auction.

https://truegunvalue.com/pistol/Ruger-blackhawk-flat-top-44-magnum/price-historical-valueOver $1000 -

History

 

[243winxb]

I don't think the grips are origina

Look like 1970s Herrett's Stocks ?

 

[BobWright]

There is some flaking of the finish on the aluminum grip frame, plus a little added adornment at the "ears." And the grips are aftermarket. The grips should be XR3, originals being very hard to find. And there is some burring of the frame screw slots. Thse detract some from the value, but then this will still bring a premium price because of what it is, a .44 Magnum Blackhawk Flat Top that has not been converted. Great for a collector or project gun. For me, it would be a project gun. I'd guess the price to be close to that of a New Model Super Blackhawk.

Bob Wright

 

[Tall]

Looks like a pretty good revolver. With aftermarket grips maybe worth $1200 - $1500 in today's market. The finish on Ruger guns is rudimentary so it holds back a lot of value.

 

[br549arkie]

I own it's twin. If I recall correctly mine was made in 1957 2 years after I was born. It will be mine until my remains have been planted.

 

[.38 Special]

I believe that serial number puts it into the first year of production, 1956. There may be some collector's interest, but generally speaking, the Ruger collectors seem to want very rare and/or very good condition. It's an interesting gun, but I'd be surprised if it sold for much more than any other "old model" in the same chambering and condition. I think @Tall has it about right, with $1500 being about all even a real optimist could hope for, and $1200 being a reasonable expectation.

 

[243winxb]

I'd guess the price to be close to that of a New Model Super Blackhawk.

That would be $800 on Ammoseek.

 

[DAP90]

Thanks everyone for chiming in. I think she'll be happy with the $800 - $1200 estimate.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

SOUTHERN DANG! ..... "Muffled", i hate you.... lol

 

[CraigC]

It's a shooter grade gun, not collector. My estimate is going to be much lower. The first year production is a plus, to some. The condition, plus the modified grip frame and aftermarket grips put it firmly under a grand. I'd say more like $800. It would cost a collector $300 to get a good replacement grip frame and grips. For me it would be a project gun to get chopped and refinished.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

These were known as the Three Screw Rugers because of the three screws in the frame the hammer, bolt, and trigger rotated on. These had a mechanism very similar to a Colt, and did not have the transfer bar inside that modern Rugers do. Because of this, just like a Colt, it is recommended that they never be carried fully loaded with a live round under the hammer. This 44 Mag Flat Top shipped in 1958. It is wearing its original Ruger plastic grips. Sorry, I don't have handy what I paid for it a few years ago.

 

[243winxb]

Ruger Manuals

Just a safety note on OLD models, that have not been up dated. (For the younger shooters/collectors)


I did not follow loading instructions back in the 1970s. 44 super BlkHawk. The cylinder was not indexed correctly. The firing pin hit the primer off center. Lucky for me, the round didnt fire.

 

[usaral63]

Bought my first one, #22362 7.5", from a local deal NIB in 1960. Joined the army in 1963 and got orders for Alaska & wanted that gun along.........while practicing the ejector stud came off and I had the same dealer I'd bought it from send it to the factory for a repair and refinish.............he didn't and apparently jobbed it out to some local shop....could not produce the gun for me after having it for well over 6 months. Unknown to me my Father then intervened and handed me a NIB FT but in 6.5" apparently the old man handed that dealer his attorney's business card and the dealer decided discretion was the better part of that deal! Yeah, I know, the 7.5's are supposedly quite limited in production, I've heard only some 1500 were produced.....

Anyway, got my gun, shot a buncha game with it......innumerable snowshoe's, one caribou and a lynx.........Pushing 83 and I still have that somewhat timeworn piece...........Did have the new one re barreled by Ruger with a 7.5 and fitted a wide super trigger to the gun......original it ain't and fulla memories it is!

 

[BobWright]

Ruger Manuals

Just a safety note on OLD models, that have not been up dated. (For the younger shooters/collectors) View attachment 1169329


I did not follow loading instructions back in the 1970s. 44 super BlkHawk. The cylinder was not indexed correctly. The firing pin hit the primer off center. Lucky for me, the round didnt fire.

Ever since childhood I was always taught to lower the hammer all the way down over an empty chamber. Never, ever, use that first "safety" notch. My Dad even insisted that practice even though my Colt was a New Service. And my Dad always insisted that my guns, rifles or handguns, have an external hammer, so he could see at a glance if the hammer were cocked.

Between my Mom and Dad, I grew up very safety concious. Mom was dead set against my having guns, and only through Dad's intervention was I allowed to have them. So, never let Dad dwn!

Bob Wright

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Great looking gun, check on Gunbroker, good place to see what the the market will bear.

 

[Jim Watson]

This 44 Mag Flat Top shipped in 1958. It is wearing its original Ruger plastic grips.

Were they always brown or have they faded? All the plastic Ruger grips I recall were black.

I had a chance at one of those but I was just getting interested in CAS and eventually went with Colt, then Cimarron.

 

[CraigC]

Were they always brown or have they faded? All the plastic Ruger grips I recall were black.

I had a chance at one of those but I was just getting interested in CAS and eventually went with Colt, then Cimarron.

They were originally black but many have sort of faded into brown over the decades. I seem to recall that the old Ruger grips were actually hard rubber (gutta percha?), while the New Model flat-tops have black plastic grips.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Were they always brown or have they faded? All the plastic Ruger grips I recall were black.

It depends on the light. This photo taken with indoor light shows them faded to a greenish color. Note the 'plumb' color on the loading gate.

Almost black in this photo.