I picked this up this afternoon after seeing a want ad on a local Sportsman's Club bulletin board.
Five digit serial number makes me think mid to late 1960's? Let me know if you have a more solid date on it.
I used to shoot with a guy who has since passed that had one of these earlier ones and I have always wanted one. It has not had the transfer bar update and the only change was the white inlay rear sight blade (he gave me the original one with it) and the red painted front sight which I personally like on my shooters. The action is smooth as silk. If it wasn't raining I would be giving you a range report. All comments are appreciated.

Attached Images

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	Ruger Super Black Hawk 44 Magnum 009.JPG (284.2 KB, 113 views)

Beautiful! Had one and sold it. Later replaced it but not nearly
as nice as yours. A real classic. You will love it.

I don’t know what is wrong with me but I had a 44 Blackhawk and I could not shoot it very well compared to my Smiths. It was much harder recoiling for sure. I love the looks of the Blackhawks but they don’t love me

The previous owner threw in a pair of Pachmayr grips that he used for shooting. I most likely will shoot mostly 44 Special loads or 19 grs of 2400 with a 240 Keith SWC in a 44 Magnum loading. I don't really enjoy a steady diet of heavy recoil loads anymore.

I bought three SBH’s back in the late 70’s from shooting associates who got tight for money. Kept one, also a five digit, and sold the other two. By the way the one I still have, I paid the most for - $75. It’s still in mint condition.

The Old Model Super Blackhawk is one of the greatest large caliber single action revolvers ever made. On the rare occasion you see one for sale in gun shops here, they bring a premium price. Congratulations on your acquisition.

Nice one!

I had a 3 screw SBH at one time. I bought it for $75 and thought I made a killing when I 'flipped' it quickly at the same show for $95.
Probably was a good deal for both of us at the time, but seems crazy now.

Not too awful long ago I bought a Flat Top 44 BlackHawk that had been a guys fast draw revolver. Talk about a hard life.
It came with his belt and holster(s), and extra 10" bbl, some of the orig paperwork. The cyl was a Super BlkHawk replacement (non-fluted).
I prettied that one up, fitted a steel 2 piece Colt style grip frame to it and ivory grips. Fluted the cylinder to look like an orig Blackhawk.
...But sold that one too. Only a couple pics remain.
Hard things to hold on too!

Keep that one,,,they ain't makin them anymore! and that's a beauty.

According to the Ruger website, that gun was made in 1968. That year started with 33350 and 1969 started with 80-00001.

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I always take precautions

Great gun. Strong and will take anything you throw at it. The square trigger guard is brutal with heavy loads and why I never kept any that I have owned in the past.

I handled one years ago with a three digit serial number. Beautiful gun!

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I have a 3-screw, round trigger guard, 6.5" Blackhawk made in January of '59. I've settled on a plinking load using Nosler 200 grain JHP's launching off at about 1150 fps, and it's a blast to shoot. (no pun intended) I've never fired factory ammo in it. It's real easy to ping 8" plates at 100 yds with it all day long. With this load it's accurate, clean burning, and with low recoil.

The grip frame has turned gray on the front and the back, and the loading gate is plum colored. From what I've read this isn't out of the ordnary.

I think you're going to have fun with that one.

Bill

Nice!

I love the 3-screw guns.

At .357/9mm convertible was my first CF handgun.

Great gun! Here's mine wearing sheep horn grips with spare stags.

Great buy.Congrats!
My first ever handgun was a SuperBlackhawk;with it I've learned how to superflinch!Something I've thankfully corrected along the years.

I've got dad's 1964 Blackhawk flat top. He's gone now but it brings back good memories of me as a youngster pestering him to shoot it. It sits mostly in my safe now with a few rounds each year for fun.

moosedog! Thanks for sharing this recent purchase of your fabulous revolver. I am a very recent convert to the Ruger Single actions. I have always admired them and read about them but never had a real reason for buying one.... 2 months ago I bought a New Model Super Blackhawk because I was looking for a 44 Mag revolver to shoot heavier loads from. I have scaled back shooting my Model 29 with heavy loads to lighter 44 Specials. Just don't want to beat them up.

So in a LGS that I have frequented over the past many years I see the New Model at a price that I liked and could afford. Very smooth action, not a lot of blue wear and well cared for but shot some. Saw a Ruger .44 Magnum Commemorative (50 Years of the 44 Magnum) still in the red plastic box, unfired, with the old Blackhawk frame and I bought it too!
Have shot the New Model but not the commemorative....

Now I want what you have! An old 3 screw, from the early years in great condition and with that old smooth clacky action! The lower the serial...., the Better!! Thanks for letting us know that the old ones are still out there and can be found ! My quest begins!!!

The old model super blackhawks are great guns that are built like a tank. The only thing I'd do to that one is order one of Hamilton Bowens rear sights which are a very nice upgrade. Due to a broken right thumb I also put one of David Clements bisley spurred hammers on my old model Rugers. This is an old model flat top version of your gun with one of Bowens sights and Clements hammers.

I have one I got new about 66. Still in nice shape. The action on
it is very smooth. I still use it for magnum loads for deer hunting.
I can say one thing if you have started out on a SA you will have
no trouble going to a S&W double action. No matter how slick
your SA is, the long hammer fall doesn't compete with S&W. I
have small hands and the recoil of the SBH never bothered me.
My dad could never shoot it because the square back of the trigger guard would rap his knuckles. Mine has had quite a few
round through it, I would say upwards of 7500 and is still tight.
The only trouble I had was a sheared frame screw behind the
trigger. The early models you have to check screws to make sure
they stay tight. They will loosen from shooting. I bought a new
set of screws that had the Nylocs in them and had no futher
problem- but I still check them anyway. For shooting full power
magnum loads I don't believe a better revolver has been made.

I won 1st place, production class in IMSHA competition (1978) with a 3 screw super blackhawk 44 mag. I superb gun indeed!

Fine looking handgun! I do like Ruger single actions but only ever owned one. I've shot the new model Super Blackhawk but never even handed the the older 3 screw. Great find, enjoy shooting it!!

I have 3 at the moment. Here they are.
Brass Frame Super 44Mag, 3 screw.

a Blackhawk 357Mag with stainless square back frame, 3 screw

and a custom 44Mag Super, 2 screw, that I saw at gun shows for 10 years on the same guy's table. I finally bought it so I could stick it in the back of my safe & never have to see it again


Ned

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Devil's afraid I'll take over.

They are beautiful revolvers for sure. My only SBH was a stailess 44 mag, about 20 years ago. I don't know why, but I couldn't shoot it worth a darn. I now have a 3 screw BH in .41 magnum that I do a little better with, but full house magnums rap my knuckles too, so I shoot it with the big ugly Hogues. I'm keeping this one, they are a bit different when it comes to learni g to shoot one well. But so classic and fun.

Congratulations to the OP!

Between 1978 and 1980 I bought and sold several Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks. 357/9mm, 30 Carbine, 45 Colt, & 44 Mag. I tried factory and Pacs and never could manage the recoil pulse in any full power load. That's why I switched over to N-frame Smiths and T/C Contenders!

But I would have to see if I could learn with a beauty like this!

Ivan