Brass framed Ruger Blackhawk.

[Nameless_Hobo]

A pawn shop in town has one of these for sale. $500 for it, in .45 Colt, with after market "New Orleans pimp" pearl grips and a 4 5/8 inch barrel.
I can't find much on these, except they were made in the 60's? (According to a page on Gunblast.)

Anyway, is $500 a reasonable amount for it? I've been wanting a large revolver, and this one is thoroughly massive.

A more general question, will Ruger sell a .45 ACP cylinder for .45 Colts, other than with the special convertible version?

 

[rcmodel]

Is it a three-screw?

If not, it is probably not a factory brass grip frame.

If it is a New-Model, someone converted it.

You can get them aftermarket now, and someone probably did when they got the pimp grips.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/st...939&title=RUGER~ SA BRASS & STEEL GRIP FRAMES

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/st...p=9941&title=RUGER~ SA BIRDS HEAD GRIP FRAMES

IMO: $500 is too high, unless you just really gotta have the brass frame & pearl pimp grips!

Ruger will only sell cylinders factory fitted.
I don't know whether they will fit a .45 ACP cylinder to a gun that wasn't a convertable.
And again, if it really is an old three-screw gun, they likely don't have any cylinders anyway.

You need to identify exactly what vintage it is and call Ruger about that.

rcmodel

 

[Majic]

The price is high IMO. I don't know if Ruger sold them like that but you can get the brass grip frame from Brownells.

 

[rem1187a]

Brass grip frames offered as option from 65-72 with most built sep to dec of 72. Availible in 4 calibers including .45 . First go back to store. Find out if it has transfer bar conversion. Find out if it is old model 3 screw. Wrie down the serial number and call ruger records dept at 603 865 2442. Give the serial to the nice lady and she can tell you when it shipped and the catalog number. If it is originally shipped with brass grip frame it will be BKH-44B catalog number. If it is original and has not had transfer bar installed in good condition will go for 800 to 1200 dollars. There were only 4290 factory built braas grip frame revolvers made total between all 4 calibers.

 

[Gator]

What rem1187a said.

If its a New Model its high, but if its an Old Model $500 is a pretty good price. And if its an Old Model with a factory brass frame its a STEAL!

 

[Nameless_Hobo]

It did have three screws, and it had a squared off guard, rather than the rounded one as in the Brownells link.

 

[Kman]

As Rem1187 said have someone at Ruger look it's #'s up. I got taken some time back by a three screw single six with brass frame, sure it was made with that barrel length but not within that serial range! lesson learned the hard way..:banghead:

 

[madcratebuilder]

You can do the conversion for well under two hundred bucks. If it adds any value to the revolver is up to the seller/buyer I guess. If it's a original Ruger grip frame build, the price seems a bit low, but more than likely it's a conversion.
Here's a birdshead frame on a anniversary flattop.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Remove the grip panel and see if the Ruger markings areon the webbing of the grip frame. If so, BUY IT!

 

[Majic]

It did have three screws, and it had a squared off guard,

Did the 3 screw .45 caliber Blackhawk come with a brass Super Blackhawk gripframe? I can certainly be wrong but I don't think they did. I thought the Supers were all steel and in .44 only.

 

[danjet500]

Majic, I think you are correct. The Super Blackhawk was the only Ruger to have the Dragoon style trigger guard. And all steel. There were very few brass frame SBHs made. Something isn't quite right with this one.

 

[rem1187a]

hey hobo

did you get the serial and call the factory yet?

 

[BlkHawk73]

Even if not shipped as a brassy SBH, if the grip frame itself is factory Ruger (they were available as a seperate part from Ruger) it's well worth the purchase.