Got a call from my local gun shop owner about some guns from an estate that had come in, so I went down to look at them. Every time I go through somebody's gun collection, I hear Randy Travis sing his song "Diggin Up Bones", reminding me that we all are just custodians for what we own and someday my guns will belong to somebody else....Anyhow there were some really nice "N" frame Smith's and this great looking Model Ruger 44 Magnum Blackhawk which caught my eye, and using restraint, I only brought the Ruger home to stay in my custody for a while, and sent the Smith information to a fellow S&WCA member who bought them. I'd like to say a special Thank You to our Forum's Doc44 who through his shared knowledge gave me the information I needed about my new revolver.
Ruger Blackhawk (Nov 1957) 44 magnum.

Nice find! Not only a flat top but an early one just a year or so after they started shipping.

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

That is a "Black Beauty"!

I can see why you adopted that one!

Cylinder should be fluted. That looks like a replacement Super Blackhawk cylinder.

I remember one of those early Blackhawks with Ruger-supplied real stag stocks that was in a shop here about 1970. They wanted $65. I was a poor college student and didn't have it.

The price has gone up...

The stag grips would probably have been rough on my hand with .44 Magnum recoil, anyway.

That is a real beauty. A great find!!

I had an original flattop that i shot silhouette with and it
was a shooter. I agree with the replacement cylinder thought.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

After contacting Ruger Customer Service and speaking with Doc44, we feel that the gun was returned to the factory at some point, and was finished in the deep bright deluxe blue and had the unfluted cylinder added. The cylinder is scribed with the guns serial number which would have been done when the gun was deluxe blued. The box and paperwork and possibly the fluted cylinder are still with the family, and they will be bringing it to the shop for me soon. The revolver looked as new and that is why I bought it. Thanks for your interest.

Love those flat tops. Nice gun,

A very nice snag! If you are new to SA's and shoot it, take care to keep the screws snug, as with most SA's they shoot loose. Pay particular attention to the ejector rod housing screw, just keep it snug and don't over tighten, it screws into a pressed in stud and if left left loose it may "wiggle" the stud loose of the barrel. Enjoy that fine revolver!

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Stay safe people!

Update 4/5/2016
The other fluted cylinder turned up. It has the deluxe blue, and is not numbered to the gun, and only has a small "s" proof mark on it. I found out the gun was returned to the factory for the additional unfluted cylinder only without the original fluted cylinder. The gun has not been refinished to the deluxe blue. It has the original deluxe finish which was offered back in 1957 as a special order. Considering the age of this gun and it's original like new condition, I was very lucky to have found this. The box and all paperwork should be forth coming.

Love those early Ruger single action .44 mags. Here's a couple of mine; a 3-screw Super Blackhawk and one of the original .44 mag Blackhawks with factory stag grips. The earlier Blackhawk illustrated here has a 4-digit serial number and left the factory in April, 1957. The lower picture shows the box and instruction sheet.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -