For the NM Collectors "The Quest"

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T.A. WORKMAN

Hunter
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
4,266
Location
MANSFIELD, OHIO USA
In 1992 I wrote a short article for the RENE, Vol. 9 Number 3 page 739, called the "Trade Back". It was about my search for a matching pair of two digit Buckeye Specials.

During that time I learned that Jerry's Sports Center in Forest City Pa. had beat Buckeye to the punch and had Ruger make them a special run of Super Blackhawk Convertibles in .44 Mag. / .44/40 the S4440. I picked up the 1st one I was able to get and ask my dealer to see if Jerry's had #87-00057 in stock and committed to buy it. After checking with the salesman we learned that the gun I sought was not part of the 1st shipment but a second shipment was due. After waiting months and calling and bugging the salesman I learned that the gun was not in the second shipment either. A couple months later I wrote a letter to Jerry's and inquired about the gun in question,,the reply was short and sweet and to the point,,,,"Sir, The revolver in question Super Blackhawk #87-00057 has never been recieved, and no more shipments of that model are expected"

I knew that other two digit guns of this model WERE shipped to Jerry's so I presumed that either the gun had been given to someone (a friend) by Bill or that the gun was still at Ruger. I knew that trying to get that info from Ruger would be fruitless.

So over these many years I have searched high and low,,Shotgun News, all the Internet Auction site's and gun forums to no avail. When I joined the Ruger Forum I learned that resident Ruger Guru, Weaselmeatgravey had quite a stash of these guns as well as a few two digits but not the gun I was after. :( :(

On October 24, 2012 while doing my mourning gun search's on the computer I pulled up the Ruger Auction site and about fell out of my chair,, :shock: ,, there before me was the gun I sought for over 20 years,, S4440 #87-00057!!
Waiting those two weeks for the auction to end were the most gut twisting I've had for awhile,, :) :)

I would like to Thank the very pleasant lady, Mrs. Elaine Sandberg from Ruger Auctions for her help and a very nice conversation during a "Noreaster", and to Ruger for supporting a very worthy cause, Soldiers Angels Project Valour It, Money well spent.

Yesterday was the day,,went to my dealers and picked her up and brought her home to meet her cousins,, :wink:

S4440 #87-00057

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Note, The guns are Super Blachawks,,,but the frames are rollmarked Blackhawk,,

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Note; The original guns were made before Rugers "Fired Case" in the little brown envelope started. However you will note that this gun was
not test fired until September 5, 2006, :wink: :wink: the guns were produced in 1990 - 1991.

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The Trifecta, S32X - 610-00057 - S3840 - 611-00057 & S4440 - 87-00057

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americal

Hunter
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
2,174
Location
Alabama, Athens
WOW :!: :!: great guns and for new model grips ALL those are really nice.....fine photos too..... Great that you got the gun,LONG WAIT............. but the good ones are :arrow: most of the time :)
 

radicalrod

Hunter
Joined
Jan 9, 2004
Messages
3,567
Location
Bowling Green, Oh
:lol: :lol: :lol: I HATE that feeling TA.....been there a time or two myself.....once again just days ago :lol: :lol: :lol: congrats on your patience....that might have weakened a lesser man :wink: :wink: :wink: RR.
 
Joined
Oct 24, 2007
Messages
11,654
Location
Kentucky
Man, that's a great story with a happy ending.

Congrats, Terry.

Keep 'em all away from Jug . . . he'd probably cut 'em all down to 4-5/8" for concealed carry and have 'em plated by Bubba's Bumper Chrome Shop.

;) ;) ;)

Ooops, looks like jussbad beat me to it. Oh, well . . .

:mrgreen:
 

T.A. WORKMAN

Hunter
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
4,266
Location
MANSFIELD, OHIO USA
americal said:
WOW :!: :!: great guns and for new model grips ALL those are really nice.....fine photos too..... Great that you got the gun,LONG WAIT............. but the good ones are :arrow: most of the time :)

Wayne,
I forgot to mention that the grip panels were Goncalo Alves for these models.

radicalrod said:
:lol: :lol: :lol: I HATE that feeling TA.....been there a time or two myself.....once again just days ago :lol: :lol: :lol: congrats on your patience....that might have weakened a lesser man :wink: :wink: :wink: RR.

Radical ole Buddy,,,,I owe you a BIG THANKS,,,after you let me hold the Old Man's (Bill) lighter and pens Ive had nothing but good luck!!

1st I find a NM .357 50TH Annie,,two digit #520-00030 that I needed,, :D :D

2nd I snagged another Rare Lighter in the Box,,, :D 8) (no pics yet it has not arrived)

3rd S4440 #87-00057,,,, :D :) :wink:

You Sir are a walking "Four Leaf Clover" :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
 

radicalrod

Hunter
Joined
Jan 9, 2004
Messages
3,567
Location
Bowling Green, Oh
Hey TA, go ahead and buy that lottery ticket......just remember who's your "LUCKY CHARM" :lol: :lol: :lol: and thank him/me accordingly :roll: :roll: :roll: RR.
 

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