Ebay bargain, Bianchi Flap Holster for Ruger Blackhawk (pics)...

[canoeguy]

When I joined the Navy in 1979, I sold a small motorcycle I had (a Honda 70 with the step through frame) for $250, with that money I went down to the gun shop and ordered a brand new Ruger Blackhawk in .357 caliber, and a Bianchi flap holster, made especially for Ruger with the Ruger Eagle on the flap. Total bill was $265, as I remember the revolver was around $225, and the holster $40.

It took months for the revolver to come in, as Ruger was selling them like hot cakes, but I finally got it. Loved that revolver and holster! Up till then I had only shot .22 pistols, that big revolver was like moving up from a Ford Pinto to a Cadillac....

Like many things, the revolver and holster got away from me when some financial emergency came up, sold it and can't even remember what I did with the money. However, I have finally managed to put the package back together again.

I recently bought a used 1967 vintage Three Screw .357 Blackhawk, and have been haunting Ebay for a Bianchi Flap holster at a reasonable price, but people are losing thier minds over them. They have been going for $90-$120, one recently ended with "Buy it Now" for $165. I lucked into one the other day that the ad was worded oddly, like "Bianchi Holster", didn't get a lot of bids, I got it for $52....

Here's some pics:

I love a flap holster, you know the revolver is not going anywhere while secured in it, and it protects the revolver from the elements. Too bad Bianchi doesn't make anything like it today.

El Paso Saddlery makes a couple of nice flap holsters, I have one of thier "1860" model holster for my 4" Model 10.

 

[redlevel]

The revolver and the holster are both beauties. I am a fan of Rugers and flap holsters, although I don't have a flap holster for any of my Rugers. I just bought a Lipsey's/Ruger Flattop Blackhawk Convertible in .45 Colt/.45 ACP. I might just get a flap style for the new gun. I have three flap style holsters from LoboGunLeather. One for a three inch j-frame, one for a 4" k-frame, and one for a 4" n-frame. Nothing protects your gun like a flap holster.

 

[Shooting Padre]

So that's what the flap's all about!

 

[mkk41]

Keeping watch out for one for my Ruger Old Army.

 

[Gebe]

Speaking of prices back when, your story reminded me of when I bought my first Ruger, a MK1.

I used to drive by the original Weatherby's in South Gate, CA. to and from work and walked in one day bought it for $39.95 and walked out the door with it! Those were the good ol' days in California!

Anyway, great score and beautiful old holster! I love flaps also.

 

[canoeguy]

Gebe,

Yes, a year earlier (1978) I bought my first handgun at age 17, a Ruger MK1 .22 for $67.50, talked my Mom into letting me have it to hunt rabbits, as I had been hunting them with a 20 gauge shotgun. She liked the rabbit, but disliked spitting out lead shot as she was eating them.

I pointed out to her that if I cairried a .22 pistol with me in the field, I could shoot close sitting rabbits with the .22, and there would be no pellets. She thought it was a great idea, so let me put the Ruger on layaway and did the paperwork once I had paid it off.

It worked too, the first time I had the pistol out in the field, I stalked a rabbit close, and shot it in the neck from about 10 yards away.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I've got a number of Bianchi holsters from back in the late 70's early 80's and they were first class.

 

[Gebe]

That's a great story canoeguy!

Years earlier before I bought the MK1, we lost our house because my dad had a drinking problem. We had to move into a housing project and I supplemented our food supply by hunting rabbit, quail and other things.

Now imagine this was in Long Beach, CA. where now there is now an airport and condos where we used to hunt!

Anyway, GOOD memories!

 

[Walter Rego]

The official name for those holsters was The Ruger Practical Holster. Ruger also contracted with Cathey Mfg. Co. to make the same style holsters. Cathey made a lot of military issue holsters in the 50's through '70's I believe. I have a Bianchi marked example for a 7.5" Blackhawk and a Cathey marked example for a 6.5" Super Single Six. They are prized by the Ruger collectors. You did very well at $52.

 

[dant]

very nice package, good job you done well and some nice pictures also..........
yes the prices of them holsters can run the gammut,seen 'em from $30 to well over a $100 ,would never pay that much though, sold some last OGCA in the $50-60 range...................yes, even a NICE Old Army one, wish we had known

by the way, when we had our shops back then, we carried the full line of those 'practical' holsters and could NOT give them away, retail then was like $18.50 and had every size, right and left handed, in the plastic bags AND boxed up..........go figure

 

[Sprefix]

Gotta love nice leather..............

 

[Buick]

My first handgun was a Ruger Super Single Six .22/.22Mag that my father gave to me. He got me a Bianchi Ruger flap holster the following Christmas, ordered direct from Ruger.

Sadly I let both get away while I was in college years ago. Always on the lookout for a flap holster to house my Ruger .45 Blackhawk 5.5".

 

[FotoTomas]

I remember those holsters as well and have several other makers full flaps in my collection. Never had the Ruger holster though. Looking for one myself to go with a Blackhawk convertable that recently came home.

 

[canoeguy]

Now I need to find another Bianchi Ruger Flap holster. Bought a Ruger "Old Army" blackpowder revolver from a friend the other day, bought new in 1993 and has never been fired. That will soon change....

I guess any quality flap holster that would fit a 7 1/2" Old Army would work, but I want a Bianchi!

 

[blackdeuce]

Congrats on the find. That's a great looking setup.