- Having trouble with a number search, hoping someone could verify this for me. Original or old model Vaquero seller says made in 1999 45colt SS Ser. # 057-4044X Thanks.
- Until this week, every time I looked up a serial number, Ruger's web site presented me with a table (list) of a models' numbers and approximate date of manufacture. They've changed that. Now I'm shown a field to enter the serial number and the web site comes back with the model number, a photo of the model, the approximate ship date and a link.
- When these new guns came out, Ruger started accepting old model three-screw Blackhawks back to the factory for retrofitting so check your old pre-73 gun for this rework. The new line continued making the.30 caliber variant, starting with serial number range 51-00001, in 1973. Like the older guns, these too were all 7.5-inch barrel models.
I looked it up on the Serial number database pages that Ruger hosts. (Ruger New Model Blackhawk Serial Number History) They state that the old model was made until 1973 and the final year's serial numbers began with 31-41551. The new model serial numbers began in 1974 with 32-33639. Mine is a new model but its serial number is significantly. Ruger Mk I with no serial number. Moderators: flatgate. Blackhawk: Joined: Mon Apr 06. 100% legal - Pre 68 guns were not required to have a serial number.
| Ruger Blackhawk | |
|---|---|
A .357 Magnum/9mm convertibleRuger Blackhawk in blued finish, with Adjustable Sights, and a 4 5/8' Barrel | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Sturm, Ruger |
| Produced | 1955–Present |
| No. built | 2 million[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 36–48 oz (1,021–1,361 g) |
| Length | 10 1/4–13 1/2 inches (260–343 mm) |
| Barrel length | 4 5/8–7 1/2 inches (117–191 mm) |
| Cartridge | Varies, see Calibers |
| Action | Single-action revolver |
| Feed system | 6-round cylinder |
The Ruger Blackhawk is a six-shot, single-actionrevolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co. It is produced in a variety of finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.
History[edit]
In the early 1950s, Westerns were popular in movies and television. Colt had discontinued the iconic Single Action Army prior to World War II, and few single-action revolvers were available to meet market demand for cowboy-style revolvers. In 1953, the new firm of Sturm, Ruger & Company introduced the Single-Six, a .22 LRrimfire single-action revolver. The Single-Six proved to be a popular seller, leading Ruger to develop and market a centerfire revolver similar to the Single Action Army: the Ruger Blackhawk.[6][7]
Ruger introduced the Blackhawk in 1955. Chambered for the .357 Magnum, the Blackhawk was a simple and strong design, and it sold well. In 1956, as Smith & Wesson was introducing the new .44 Magnum, Ruger quickly developed a variant of the Blackhawk in the new cartridge. Ruger achieved wide popularity with this firearm in a hotly anticipated new cartridge, which was both cheaper and more readily available than the Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver. According to popular legend, Ruger was able to field a .44 Magnum revolver at nearly the same time as Smith & Wesson due to a Ruger employee finding expended .44 Magnum cartridge cases at a scrapyard and deducing that Smith & Wesson was about to launch a new cartridge.[8][9]
The 1955–1962 Blackhawks are known today as the 'Flattop' models, because their adjustable rear sights were not protected by 'ears' extending up from the frame as later became standard. From 1962 through 1972, Ruger made the 'Three Screw' Blackhawk in various calibers, so called by the number of screws visible on the side of the revolver.
The Flattop and Three Screw Rugers were modernized compared to the Colt Single Action Army, in that they had adjustable sights instead of the Colt's fixed sights, and they used wire coil springs instead of the Colt's flat leaf springs. Bill Ruger chose coil springs due to their greater durability, saying that it solved one of the primary weaknesses of the Colt design.
The early models of the Blackhawk still operated the same way as the Colt, in that the hammer was half-cocked to load and unload and that the firearm was not safe to carry with all six chambers loaded due to the hammer resting upon the sixth chamber.[10] In 1973, in order to eliminate accidents occurring from the hammer jarring against a round loaded in the sixth chamber, Ruger introduced the New Model Blackhawk. The New Model Blackhawk did not require the hammer to be half-cocked for loading and unloading, and it employed a transfer bar mechanism which prevented the cartridge under the hammer from being fired without the trigger being pulled. The New Blackhawk was seen as limiting firearms accidents and legal liability. Ruger then began offering a retrofit program, offering free transfer bar conversions to earlier variants of the Blackhawk.
It is worth noting that the Super Blackhawk is capable of operating with much higher pressure handloads than factory produced ammunition in .44 Magnum. Factory produced loads, such as Federal Champion 240 gr JSP loads are right around 800 ft-lbs muzzle energy. Loads in excess of 1200 ft-lbs muzzle energy are commonly produced by handloaders for this caliber and the Super Blackhawk can, in fact, handle more powerful loads than any .44 Magnum lever action rifle and substantially more powerful rounds than any double action .44 Magnum revolver. Buffalo Bore makes a heavy load that is in excess of 1500 ft-lbs muzzle energy.[11]
These facts make the Ruger Super Blackhawk one of the top choices for handgun hunting. It is capable of reliably taking down deer, elk, caribou, moose, lion, grizzly or brown bear and even cape buffalo.[12] It is commonly used to deliver a coup de grace shot to mortally wounded large game, having the ability to dispatch even an elephant with a conscientiously placed close range shot to the head. The wide availability of .44 Magnum cases and bullets make the .44 Magnum chambering far more practical than .454 Casull or .480 Ruger, while allowing for similar ballistics in custom loadings.[13]
The Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum is one of the most accurate big bore pistols for target shooting, typically returning 5 shot groups that are one ragged hole from a rest at 25 yards. Work is commonly performed on the action of these revolvers to give a light, crisp trigger pull, thereby contributing to accuracy.[14]
Various models[edit]
.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg "Ruger Blackhawk Serial Numbers")
Over the years the Blackhawk has appeared in a wide variety of models. These models include:
- New Model Blackhawk: Produced in blued steel in .30 Carbine, .357 Magnum, .41 Remington Magnum, .44 Special, and .45 Colt; produced in stainless in .327 Federal Magnum with an 8-round cylinder, .357 Magnum, and .45 Colt. Multiple barrel lengths were offered in many of these configurations.
- New Model Blackhawk Convertible: The cylinder of a Blackhawk is easily removed, and can be replaced with a cylinder for a different cartridge of the same diameter. Ruger has offered 'convertible' cylinder revolvers in .45 Colt/.45 ACP, .38-40/10mm Auto, and .357 Magnum/9×19mm Parabellum. Other than being sold with multiple cylinders, these firearms are identical to the Blackhawk.
- New Model Super Blackhawk: Produced in blued and stainless, with or without a rib for mounting a scope. The Super Blackhawk is built on the same frame, but with a larger grip (in the 7.5' and 10.5' barrels) and unfluted cylinder (except for 5.5' barrel), in order to more effectively deal with the .44 Magnum's recoil. Also, the grip frames are made of steel, versus aluminium for those same components in the Blackhawk. Ejector rod housings were originally steel on old model Super Blackhawks. The new model stainless steel versions have steel ejector rod housings.
- Vaquero and New Vaquero: With the popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting came demand for a single-action revolver that was more traditional in appearance. As the standard Ruger Blackhawk departs from the Single Action Army looks due to its adjustable sights, Ruger offered a fixed-sight equivalent to cater to buyers wanting a more traditional appearance. In all other ways, the Vaquero was identical to the Blackhawk, though offered in slightly fewer variants. The original Vaquero was offered in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt. After some time, Ruger went with a smaller frame to more closely resemble the actual size of the Colt SAA, changed the name to the New Vaquero, and dropped the powerful .44 Magnum from the lineup. While keeping the smaller size, Ruger later went back to the simple Vaquero name.
- Bisley: The Bisley grip is a type of angled grip developed by Colt for target shooting at the end of the 19th Century. Ruger's 'Bisley' offerings incorporated a Bisley-style grip, hammer spur, and trigger. A limited edition of 1,000 Units from TALO Distributions featuring Turnbull Restorations Case Hardened frame.
- Old Army: The Old Army is a percussion ('cap and ball') black powder revolver based on the Blackhawk frame.
Calibers[edit]
- .32 H&R Magnum/.32-20 Winchester Convertible (Single distributor—discontinued)
- 9×19mm Parabellum/.357 Magnum Convertible
- .357 Remington Maximum (Discontinued)
- 10mm Auto/.38-40 Winchester Convertible (Single distributor—discontinued)
- .44 Magnum (Super Blackhawk only)
- .44 Magnum/.44-40 Winchester Convertible (Single distributor—discontinued)
- .45 ACP/.45 Colt Convertible
- .454 Casull (Super Blackhawk Distributor Exclusive)
- .480 Ruger (Super Blackhawk Distributor Exclusive)
Finishes[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'Ruger Blackhawk: Versatility and Durability in the Spirit of the Old West'.
- ^'Ruger Blackhawk Serial Number History'.
- ^'Ruger New Blackhawk Serial Number History'.
- ^'Ruger Super Blackhawk Serial Number History'.
- ^'Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk Serial Number History'.
- ^Taffin, John (2005). Single Action Sixguns. Krause Publications. p. 336. ISBN978-0-87349-953-8.
- ^Taffin, John (1997). Big Bore Sixguns. Krause Publications. p. 336. ISBN978-0-87341-502-6.
- ^Sturm Ruger booklet 'Fifty Years of .44 Magnums'
- ^Sixguns.com
- ^Larson, Erik (24 June 1993). 'Wild West Legacy: Ruger Gun Often Fires If Dropped, but Firm Sees No Need for Recall'. The Wall Street Journal. ProQuest398344120.
- ^'Heavy .44 Magnum +P+ Pistol & Handgun Ammunition'. Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- ^'Handguns for Dangerous Game'. Shooting Times. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- ^'44 Magnum Load Data - Handloads.Com'. www.handloads.com. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- ^DIYautotech (22 November 2012), Ruger Single Action Trigger Job Ruger Single Six, Single Ten, Blackhawk, Vaqeuro, retrieved 15 October 2017
How To Find Water Heater Age By Serial Number (Bradford ...
External links[edit]
Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk Serial Number History
Ruger New Model Blackhawk Serial Number History
Click pictures for a larger version
Serial Number Search | Ruger Forum
Close-up view of the factory letter of provenance that validates the case as a true prototype.Written and signed by Steven K. Vogel, Manager of Sturm, Ruger, & Co. Inc., Prescott Division and co-founder of the Ruger Collectors Association. | This is one of the last of the Supers with all steel parts and the small 1/16” serial numbers before the “Changes of 1962” began.S/N 10659, shipped in Nov. 1962 in the new two-piece “telescoping” black and red box that replaced the “White Box”.Scarce guns with probably less than 2000 made. |
Close-up view of the steel MICRO rear sight found on Super #10659 and previously made Super Blackhawks. | Close-up of Super #10659’s serial number. |
Top view of the two piece “telescoping” black and red box that became the standard packaging for the remainder of the Old Model Super’s life. | View of the printed end of the black and red box. |
View of open two-piece box with the first instruction booklet dated “Revised 9/1/59”. | A two-piece black and red Super box shown with its brown cardboard outer shipping carton for s/n 15848. |
Top view of a very rare Type 1“Transition” Super, #13601, shipped in Sept. 1963with its MICRO rear sight, aluminum alloy ejector rod housing (ERH) and small 1/16” serial numbers.The aluminum alloy ERH was one of the “Changes of 1962” that was transitioned in for the Supers during 1963.Only about 300 or so believed made. | Close-up of “Transition” Super #13601’s serial number. |
Top view of a very rare Type 2 “Transition” Super, #12224, shipped in April 1963 with its aluminum alloy non-marked rear sight, steel ejector rod housing and small 1/16” serial numbers.Less than 500 believed made. | Close-up view of the aluminum alloy non-marked rear sight found on Transition Super #12224.This is one of the changes made in 1962/63. |
Close-up view of “Transition” Super #12224’s serial number. | This is a Type 3 or last of the “Transition” Supers.It is #12171 and it has both the aluminum alloy rear sight and ERH but still retains the small 1/16” serial number.I also have the consecutive Super #12172, both are the same configuration and in like new condition.#12171 was shipped in June 1963 and #12172 was shipped in Oct. 1963.The Type 3’s are the most common Transition Super but still scarce guns with only about 2,000 believed made. |
Top view of “Transition” Super #12171 with the aluminum alloy rear sight, aluminum alloy ERH and small 1/16” serial number. | Picture of Super #12171’s aluminum alloy ejector rod housing that replaced the earlier steel housings. |
Close-up of Super #12171’s serial number. | Super #20683, shipped April 1966 with larger 3/32” serial numbers and Blackhawk “Flattop” barrel address without the Eagle logo but with “Inc.” added.Often referred to as “Inc” guns by Super collectors. |
This is the scarce “Inc” gun barrel address found on #20683.There were probably about 4,000 - 5,000 of these made.They had the larger 3/32”size serial number and the Blackhawk “Flattop” barrel address without the Eagle logo but with “Inc.” added. | Rare 6-1/2” barrel Super #24832 on top of its original box.About 600 of these 6-1/2” Supers were made in error.This gun has a factory letter validating its correctness. |
Close-up of the 6-1/2” barreled Super #24832’s serial number. | View of 6-1/2” Super #24832’s original box end with a small sticker saying 6-1/2”.These guns were shipped in normal S47 7-1/2” boxes.The 7-1/2” printed on the end label was normally either marked out with a magic marker or covered with a small sticker with a typed or hand written 6-1/2”.I have also had lettered 6-1/2” guns in their original boxes that have the 7-1/2” marking unmolested. |
This is an extremely rare non-prefixed serial number factory installed Brass frame Super Blackhawk.This gun was shipped in May 1968.Just over 100 of this variation was made.Super #35306 was previously in Hank Williams Jr’s collection. | Close-up view of the brass frame Super #35306’s serial number. |
This is another extremely rare factory lettered early non-prefix Brass Frame Super #28291.Pictured with its seldom seen complete packaging. From the Matt Olivier collection. | A view of the rather faint “S47 SUPER BLACKHAWK .44 MAG. 7-1/2” BBL”ink stamp on #28291’s shipping carton.Note the absence of a “B” in the stamp.This gun was shipped in May 1967 and apparently the factory was not putting a “B” designation for “Brass” frame on these early guns. From the Matt Olivier collection. |
A view of brass framed Super #28291 lying in its open box.From the Matt Olivier collection. | Close-up view of Super #28291’s serial number.From the Matt Olivier collection. |
Picture of a Super #80-51384, a prefix serial number factory installed Brass frame gun. | Four rare factory lettered prefix serial numbered Brass Frame Super Blackhawks.#80-57126 & #80-56779 were both shipped in December 1972.# 80-55908 was shipped in November 1972 & # 80-51341 was shipped in September 1972.Ruger fitted just over 1500 Supers with these frames in the later part of 1972.This was an inventory reduction effort in anticipation of the “New Model” introduction in 1973.These Old Model frames would not fit the New Model and there would be no market for them later.From the Matt Olivier collection. |
Another view of these four rare factory lettered brass framed Supers.From the Matt Olivier collection. | Dealer price sheets show that from 1965 through 1967 and then again from 1971 through 1974 thefactory brass frames could be ordered as an accessory for $20.They came with a wide serrated Super Blackhawk trigger to fit the wide slot in the grip frame.Pictured are three factory shipping boxes for these brass frames. |
Close-up view of the brass grip frame box’s shipping label.This one originally went to Fayetteville, Georgia, in May 1974.See the note at the top of the label on the “From” line that says ”Brass Grip and Panels”. | View of the Fayetteville, Georgia, open box with the frame, trigger, and a set of Super grip panels. |
Another close-up view of a brass frame box’s shipping label.This one went to a gunsmith in Salmon, Idaho in July 1972. | View of the Salmon, Idaho, open box with the brass grip frame and trigger.This frame is as it came from the factory, it has never been fitted to a gun or polished. |
Blue ink stamp on the brass grip frame accessory white shipping box.This one is on the end of the box but they are sometimes found on the top of the box. | Close-up view of the factory “MR-3DB”roll mark found on the brass frame’s left side, at the bottom rear corner. |
This is a very rare consecutively numbered pair of factory lettered duplicate “D” marked Supers, #D80-25994 and #D80-25995.From the Bill Eyring collection. | Close-up view of #D80-25995’s serial number.Note the hand stamped “D” in front of the serial number indicating that this is a duplicate serial number.From the Bill Eyring collection. |
This is a rare German Proof marked Super Blackhawk, #80-54726.Very few of these are ever seen in the USA.The factory letter states that it was originally shipped to a distributor that was an exporter. | This is Super #80-64679.The highest serial number known is #80-64750 so this one is about 70 from the last serial number made.I bought this fine, very high polished gun while traveling on business in Lebanon, Tennessee, in Feb. 1973.I bought it at Don Keeton’s Gun Shop while on my lunch hour! |
Close-up view of Super #80-64679’s serial number. | Super #80-64679’s white eagle grip panel medallions were put into use by Ruger in 1971/72.Collectors often refer to these medallions as “Squashed Chickens”! |
This is Super #26037, one of only two known extremely rare “S” marked Super Blackhawks with the rare 6-1/2” barrel.From the Bill Eyring collection. | Close-up view of the “S” marked 6-1/2” barrel Super #26037’s serial number.From the Bill Eyring collection. |
View from the bottom of Super #26037.You can see part of the poorly and lightly struck “S” in front of the trigger guard.A factory letter is a must to validate a “second” or “S” marked gun.From the Bill Eyring collection. | This is Super #80-57650, one of only two known factory 'S' marked prefix serial number Supers.Extremely rare.The gun is very high /super polished.From the Bill Eyring collection. |
Close-up view of Super #80-57650’s serial number.From the Bill Eyring collection. | View from the bottom of Super #80-57650.You can see the tail of the poorly struck “S” mark.A factory letter is a must to validate the correctness of an “S” gun.From the Bill Eyring collection. |