I took this picture just yesterday to accompany an article I finished which will probably appear in a future
Blue Press issue.
This is an original old model "flat top" .44 Magnum Blackhawk. It was made in mid-1957, in the first full year of production. It sports factory Sanbar stag horn grips - offered at the time as an extra-cost option. Stag and ivory-gripped Rugers of this ilk are considered very rare.
The plum-colored loading gate is legitimate; the color was caused by variations in the bluing salts - this is pretty common with early Rugers.
The cylinder base pin is collared - a later variation designed to prevent the pin from working lose under recoil. It was probably retro-fitted to the gun by its previous owner.
This Ruger was the property of an Arizona rancher who carried it often as a trail gun. I purchased it from his estate, and am proud to have it.
John
