Hey guys,
I’m not a Ruger guy, but I love 44 Spl. So the other day when I seen this gun it was a easy sell for the shop
I do have a couple questions though if anyone can help who is more versed in Ruger’s.
From my limited research I believe this is what is called a Skeeter conversion? The serial # according to Ruger’s website says the frame was initially a 357 from 72-73 So someone converted it to 44spl.
My questions are,

1, Any idea who might have done the conversion? I can’t find any makers marks. The 44 spl engraving on the frame looks professional though.
2, Has the frame grip been modified or is this a factory birds head grip?
3, Will a Colt SA holster fit this gun?
Any other comments or info would be much appreciated.
Thank you for looking!













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Paul
SWCA #2864

I’ve owned several Rugers but never seen a conversion.

I’m certainly no expert but would bet the grip frame is aftermarket. I know of one company making a pretty nice selection of frames. The ones I’ve seen were brass but yours looks more like aluminum possibly.

Hamilton Bowen lives in the next county over and he’s been the master of Ruger reworks for decades. Other than him I couldn’t guess. Have you checked the date? Jeweling on the hammer and trigger was popular about fifty years ago I understand. You don’t see that much anymore.

Nice gun!

I like Old Model Blackhawks, and I like .44 SPL.

1) No Idea who did the conversion. For a while it was not uncommon.
2) Someone did a mild round-butt on an XR3-Red frame. If it is stainless (my guess), then it is a replacement. If it is aluminum, then the finish has been polished off.
3) My experience is the mid-frame Blackhawks do not quite fit in a high quality Colt SAA holster. Not to worry, finding a holster that will fit will be a piece of cake.

I'm curious, has this been converted with a transfer bar?

I like it. Skeeter would be pretty disappointed in the availability of Unique. You might have to use W231.

In several of John Taffin’s books he has pictures of custom Rugers that look a lot like yours. I want to say Dave Clay did them but I’m away from my books right now so can’t be sure. The round butted grip frame with the anodizing removed and the jeweled hammer are the main features that are ringing bells. Could be done by the same guy or someone who saw Mr Taffin’s in his books or magazine articles. I’m quite sure there’s a detailed write up in “The book of the 44”.

Congrats on finding what looks like a very well done conversion. A perfect woods walking gun. That ghost ring rear sight looks cool - I would be curious how it works for you compared to a standard square notch rear?

Based on Skeeter's writings, these conversions became quite popular, enough so that Ruger has since produced factory versions using the new model frame.

I believe the grip frame on yours is the standard factory XR3-RED that has been round butted and polished.

Larry

I'm curious, has this been converted with a transfer bar?

No transfer bar

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Paul
SWCA #2864

Yes, the three -screws are clearly present in the starboard photo. So remember, load a max of 5, with hammer down on an empty chamber.

It looks like a steel ejector rod housing has also been added. The blueing looks sharp. While I don't care for stripping the anodizing from the grip-frame, that is indeed what looks to have bee done.

Years ago John Taffin wrote an article on old-model Blackhawks converted to .44 special by Diagonal Road Gunshop in Ohio. I think, but am not sure (this is all relying on a memory which is increasingly hazy) it was at that time run by Andy Horvath. He called the conversions "Li'l Rugers," and while others did similar conversions it seemed Horvath's were characterized by 4" barrels and that modest, distinctive round-butting.

I think the StainlessSteel OM 3 screw XR3 grip frames were marked KXR3
The K for stainless steel in Ruger speak.

Anyway a magnet will tell you quickly if it's aluminum or not.
Could be high polished carbon steel too. A refit of one from an Old Army C&B 3 screw.
Those used to be available from Brownells as an extra part along with steel ejector rod housings.
That's where I got those parts for my 357 conversion to 45Colt.
Power Custom makes grip frames as well both Ruger XR3Red and the Colt size. One and 2 piece.

The anodized aluminum originals were colored inside and out of course. When people shine them up, they usually don't bother to remove the anodize from the inside surfaces too.
A lot of work unless you strip it (weak lye soln does a good job but watch it closely!)
Particle blast will do a quick job as well but don't over do it around the edges..

Looks like a decent revolver. They added a larger knob cylinder pin so it's easier to pull that pin forward to remove it. Some have an extra locking set screw to hold them in place when shooting as well.

Jeweling,,that's a love/hate thing. If you don't like it it can be flat polished away pretty easily.

I've seen that rear sight style though I've never had occasion to try one. I'd stick with a standard leaf on the sight and the standard SAA grip style. No rounded off end.
... but that's why custom is Custom!

Great caliber and love those 3 screw Rugers..

Just having three screws won't tell the story of whether it's been converted.

Three screw guns were converted to the transfer bar for free starting around the time when the New Model came out in 1973.

Hopefully it hasn't been converted, but if it has, it's easy to "de-convert" if one so desires.

Regarding the frame: It was likely polished or chemically had the anodization removed. This was very common and I think it looks good. Someone also jeweled the hammer, and the grips and grip frame were rounded.

Nice little Old Model. The zinger would be if it is unmolested and remains "transfer-bar-less". And yes, if it hasn't been converted, carry 5 with hammer down on an empty chamber.

Edit: Looking at picture 3, I can see the firing pin properly peeking out of the recoil shield. This indicates that the gun HAS NOT been converted. Congrats!

It could be the work of Andy Horvath, Diagonal Rd. Gun Shop LaGrange Ohio. 440-458-4369. He did one for me years ago after I read the John Taffin article. Mine was not jeweled. Just a guess.

It's been years, but that gun closely resembles a Horvath conversion I was once briefly familiar with. Frankly, though, there were plenty of folks capable of similar work back when.

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Pisgah

Thank you to everyone’s help!
I’ve googled Andy Horvath Little Rugers and have found examples of his work that’s exactly like mine. The caliber engraving, cylinder pin, grip contours & even one that had a jewel hammer. That one actually looked so much like mine I thought it was until I compared the serial #.

Also, to answer some questions. No it has not been converted with a transfer bar & the frame appears to be aluminum. It’s not magnetic.

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Paul
SWCA #2864

I own one just like it, I had it made like yours. Great, great score. Andy is also a master at all things S&W.

Just remember to load one, skip one, load four, then cock. You will then be able to lower the hammer on the empty chamber (I did not come up with this-I learned this as a kid from an old article by Skeeter Skelton).

Looks like it could be an early Gary Reeder conversion, he uses that style grip modification.

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Same here!

A decade or so ago, I had Hamilton Bowen convert a 357 Blackhawk to 44 Spl. Note that Hamilton's engraving looks exactly like it came from Ruger. The stag grips are from Elen Hunting and Importing if memory serves me correctly.

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Wow, an original Andy Horvath. How nice.
Bill

KertP,
Top pic my only 44 spec SA’s. Both non conversions. Bottom pic my only Samba Indian stag grips.
Bill

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S&W forum Gents,
Just finished a three month single action deal. Let me know if you would like to see pics, and maybe a new posting…of? I will throw out a single name to wet your interest…Weldon Bledsoe.
Bill

I have one converted by Andy way back in the early 1990s when Andy was building his reputation. Yes John Taffin introduced him to us. When I called Andy his Mom answered the phone. I had bought a hard used Ruger 357 Magnum three- screw that wasn't pretty anymore. Andy made it a 4" barreled 44 Special...very good work. Got to get it out and shoot it again!

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Bob.
SWCA 1821