Brass frame question

Hi, I recently bought the Brass frame Blackhawk and from the reading Ive been doing I think the chances of it being shipped from the factory as original are slim. I mailed in a request yesterday to Ruger.

It has the correct foundry marks but it is a 1970 vintage and a 9mm convertible which I believe both are not correct for a factory made Brass .357? Hoping some one here can chime in if that is true.

Either way it is a beautiful piece and I didn't pay any premium for it.
Thanks
Jim

That is a handsome piece for sure. Any history on the grips?

Welcome to the Forum, these guys know their stuff and should be along soon to help you out.
Original or not, that is a fine looking gun; enjoy it and pass it down when the time comes.

J

welcome to the Forum, that is a nice looking Blackhawk and the letter should spell out to you if it was shipped as what is shown, a BKH34X B....the catalog number would have been stamped on the outside, cardboard shipper 'wrapper'...........appears to be the proper grips ( squashed chicken) silver eagle medallion but Id bet the gun came with the smaller XR-3 red frame and 'black eagle' medallions...the parts that are on your gun used to come as a "set" using leftover brass frames, the grips as seen and the wide trigger.......we had ought sold and put on MANY over the years and when we had our shop in the early ,mid 70s we bought quite a few of those "sets" they cost back then like $7.50.............there is a listing of the 'brass' frames for the MOST part but may NOT be complete,,,,it appears in John Dougans later books and good reference over all. Again, nice gun and welcome aboard

Welcome to the Forum Toothpick Jim!

As rugerguy has mentioned above,, the letter will clarify things.

I just checked Dougan's book, and all the LISTED factory shipped ones,, had a serial number prefix of 31,, not 30.
But,, you have a very nice package there!

Thanks for the welcome and the info.

I suspected it didn't leave the factory as shown, but as you said the letter will be the "final answer".

I wont be disappointment either way because when I bought it I had no idea brass grip frames were even collectable. I bought it for it's looks and price $500.

The gent I bought it from gave me his original receipt, He bought it used in 1979 for $180 from a local gun shop.

I didn't ask him at the time about the brass frame. He did mention he custom made/fit the stag grips himself and it was not easy getting a perfect fit.

I also bought a unmolested 1967 Single Six convertible that looks dang near unfired. Only minor muzzle edge wear.

"I bought it for it's looks and price $500."

Since you got away clean,, you can take off your mask now!

Seriously,, the grip frame & grips are worth that much!

Welcome to the forum.

Very nice gun. I agree with contender on the money part.

wow, you want to double your money????

Wow! Good deal, beautiful gun. Welcome to the forum.

As of now, no convertibles have lettered as being shipped from the factory with a brass frame. Good luck on yours.

The grips are worth as much as the gun.

well guys, as most expected the brass frame did did not ship from the factory.

Thanks again for info provided

Well, we kinda expected it,, but hey,, until you tried,, you'd never know! Still a nice gun!