Pre-1973 New Model Blackhawk?

I have a New Model Blackhawk .357 mag. The serial number prefix is 32- which indicates that it was produced in 1973 but the number falls well below the listed starting serial number, Mine is 32-313xx.
Did Ruger start production of the new model in late 1972? Do I have a pre-1973 New Model?

Welcome to the Forum.
According to the BEST serial number data,,, the RENE,,, in 1973,,, Ruger started ALL the NM .357's with the prefix of 32-xxxxx. In fact,, in 1973,,, it started with 32-00001 & went to 32-33638. Yours is a NM. And,,, look at the frame,,, is it marked New Model Blackhawk? Does it have the safety transfer bar?
Now, if it marked Blackhawk, and has a flat faced hammer,,, and no safety transfer bar,,, THEN,,, it'd be an oddity.

Thanks Ruger Guru. The info I found listed the starting serial number as 32-33638 for 1973. Your info shows that it was clearly produced in 1973.