When did Ruger................

When did Ruger start using the "collared" base pin?

Gent over on the Colt Forum posted two photos of early .44 Magnum Blackhawks, Flat Tops, one 6 1/2" and the other 7 1/2", both have the collared base pins.

Bob Wright

Bob,
The 1959 10" 44 I just sold has a collared pin. As far as I can tell, everything is original on the gun.

Per RENE starting at serial number 8631 for the collar base pin. Those before that number do not have the collar on them. Of course there is no set number when one starts and one begins. I think this is the earliest number found with a collared base pin.

And as Bob C might have said, "screwdriver variation". Of course, these don't even require a screwdriver.

The Type 3 .44 FT introduced the collared cyl base pin. The earliest Type 3s will also still have the offset slot ejector rod housings.

FT 44, serial number 7777, has a collared base pin, but was shipped later than it serial number would suggest (October 1958).

Bill

Not uncommon to have anomalies like this.

Some late FT 44s and 22 Lightweigt 2nds were shipped with XR3-RED grip frames instead of XR3s.

Hondo44 said:

Not uncommon to have anomalies like this.

Some late FT 44s and 22 Lightweigt 2nds were shipped with XR3-RED grip frames instead of XR3s.

Click to expand...

Exactly. There are many such instances where "out of the normal range" components show up. Many of these are potentially legitimate "variations" but are not documentable because such details do not appear in the company records. Just makes for interesting conversation pieces.

:mrgreen:

Exactly #2!! I just had a 27xxx range BKH47 reported that was shipped in 1967. I hope to submit pics of this owner's new find in the next ROCS Digest, especially since that issue is going to feature .44 flattops.
You should see the interesting hodgepodge of .44 parts that are on this gun!
Chet15

Just to confirm the confusion, I have a .44 FT #18xx with a collared basepin and a .357 FT #270xx without the collar. I also have a few aftermarket uncollared pins.

No confusion, the collared base pins were only made in the long, large frame size, so 357 old model and new model flat tops (which are mid frames) never came with the collared base pin. And even if they're shortened they won't fit either because of the closeness of the base pin hole to the barrel.

Recently I own a 6 & 1/2" Blackhawk .44 and it had a collard base pin?
Steve

Hi Steve,

That's very possible: the later old model 44 mag Flat Top Blackhawks, and all the 2005 new model 44 mag Flat Top Blackhawks.

Which one did you have?