O.K. Class, pay attention:
This is a New Model Blackhawk in .45 Colt. So, I've done a few things to it, added a steel grip frame and ejector rod housing and stag grips, had the thing case hardened per Doug Turnbull, but a Blackhawk still:
When I say a Blackhawk still, I mean it is a Blackhawk yet, not that it produces moonshine or anything like that.
Now this is original version of the Super Blackhawk:
What set the gun apart from the Blackhawks was the .44 Magnum caliber; 7 1/2" barrel; non-fluted cylinder; longer grip frame of steel with square backed trigger guard; protecting ribs on either side of the rear sight; lower, wider hammer spur; wider, grooved trigger; and a high polish deep blue finish.
All Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks larger than .357 Magnum are made on the same frame, the MR-44 frame.
Currently, the only distinguishing feature of a Super Blackhawk now is that is has the beavertail hammer and is .44 Magnum. There are Supers with barrel lengths of 4 5/8" and 5 1/2", and 10" or so. They may, or may not have fluted cylinders. And only the longer barrel models have the Dragoon style grip frame. There are even Supers made in stainless steel!
Incidentally, it was Elmer Keith who suggested using the rear sight ribs. This to keep the rear sight from wobbling when it was raised for maximum elevation, out of the frame mortise.
Bob Wright
P.S. Of the original Blackhawks, the Flat Top models, I believe they were made only in .357 Magnum (MR Frame) and .44 Magnum (MR-44) frame. As I recall, the a change was made in 1963, in which the rear sight ribs were added, and the grip frame changed to the XR3-RED. With the coming of the New Models in 1973, having the transfer bar added, the medium .357 Magnum frame was dropped and only the larger .44 Magnum used for centerfire revolvers, with the exception of the .32 Magnum.
My earliest parts list calls the Single Six frame the R frame, then MR for the mid-sized .357 Magnum, and MR-44 for the largest frame.