Looking for Opinions. 1958 .44 FT Blackhawk

thinckley · Mar 15, 2025

This came into my gunsmith's shop yesterday. Owner needed to sell it in order to finish paying for car repairs. I am looking for some 2nd (3rd, 4th, etc.) opinions on the value. It is shooter grade, lots of holster wear, but clean.

Side note, the seller did tell us about his dad narrowly missing his foot with an accidental discharge. Loaded 5, but caught the hammer on a branch while hunting.

contender · Mar 15, 2025

Model BKH-46 and is of the "Type 2" variety. From the pictures,, it looks all original except for the grips. About 8000 of the Type 2 variation were made. (Per RENE.)
As noted,, the condition makes it a shooter grade. I find it interesting to see the outline of live rounds imprinted on the loading gate on the inside/shield side. Points to someone shooting stout loads through it.
The barrel needs a good cleaning inside.

The RENE Guide puts a minty one at about $1050. I'd say to have a sweet shooter & not worry about screwing up a minty one,, about $600-$700. Closer to the $600 mark if you wanted to get a correct set of grips for it.

thinckley · Mar 15, 2025

contender said:
Closer to the $600 mark if you wanted to get a correct set of grips for it.

Did you mean $800 or $700 with the correct grips?

contender · Mar 15, 2025

A set of correct walnut grips for that gun can easily be $100-$125. They are called "contoured walnuts." So I lowered the potential value if you had to spend the money for a correct set of grips. If happy with the current ones,, about $700 would be ok. The condition of the gun hurts the sale value with all the wear in so many places,, as does the imprinting on the loading gate.

Some may think I'm a bit low in value,, but the history of that gun being unknown,, especially due to the imprinting makes me a bit cautious.

thinckley · Mar 15, 2025

contender said:
A set of correct walnut grips for that gun can easily be $100-$125. They are called "contoured walnuts." So I lowered the potential value if you had to spend the money for a correct set of grips. If happy with the current ones,, about $700 would be ok. The condition of the gun hurts the sale value with all the wear in so many places,, as does the imprinting on the loading gate.

Some may think I'm a bit low in value,, but the history of that gun being unknown,, especially due to the imprinting makes me a bit cautious.

That makes more sense. Thank you. According to the seller, his dad purchased it new and carried it every year hunting in Idaho and used it to take game on many occasions. I hadn't noticed the imprinting until you mentioned it, I actually hoped I had a correct set of grips, but the spare I have are for the OM SBH.

contender · Mar 15, 2025

If the original owner purchased it new,, then most likely 1957 or 1958 was when that was done. If it was carried & used a lot on hunting trips,, and factory .44 mag ammo was used,, the imprints are a testament to that.

NitroAcres · Mar 15, 2025

I wish one just like that would show up around here, I want to cut one down to 4-5/8...

JAYDAWG · Mar 15, 2025

$500 in my opinion..........FWIW

arcticruger · Mar 15, 2025

JAYDAWG said:
$500 in my opinion..........FWIW

I might just give $500 for that, just because I don't have one.

She is well used for sure.

Ale-8(1) · Mar 15, 2025

To me, it's "worth" more than I can afford.

G2 · Mar 15, 2025

I agree with contender $600 as pictured.
The rear sight does not look correct, Rounded off top back side, should be Squared. Look at my OM.
Is it a MICRO? What does the top strap look like. Drilled &/or Tapped?
The 3k SN# is kinda cool. But I wouldn't let it get away ~$100. Yes I would love to get it for $500,,, but $600 +/- is fair for both parties.

I paid $500 for this old beater a few years back because of the 4 digit 7k SN#. It had some junker grips, a beat to hell grip frame and the custom Brass Bead Front Sight…

It was going to be a platform, plan was to cut it to 4.6", some sort of GF & Grips.

It was along for the ride one day to the range and decided to shoot it. Could not believe how tight it shot, especially with the Brass Bead Front Sight.
As you can see it didn't get cut, did get the brass GF,, Moose Grips, Peep Hole Rear Sight Blade and a Super Hammer.
Absolutely one of my favorites! I mostly only 44 Specials in it now, just because I am a Whimp.

Not that big of a Whimp, I have the 50 years later New Model with RW Brass Hunter Grip Frame that's a pleasure to shoot the Magnums in…

This picture has better light and shows the wear better on the OM.

ArizonaTea123 · Mar 15, 2025

contender said:
A set of correct walnut grips for that gun can easily be $100-$125. They are called "contoured walnuts." So I lowered the potential value if you had to spend the money for a correct set of grips. If happy with the current ones,, about $700 would be ok. The condition of the gun hurts the sale value with all the wear in so many places,, as does the imprinting on the loading gate.

Some may think I'm a bit low in value,, but the history of that gun being unknown,, especially due to the imprinting makes me a bit cautious.

How can one discern the difference between old original contoured walnut grips and newer variants?

G2 · Mar 15, 2025

Coup d'etat said:
How can one discern the difference between old original contoured walnut grips and newer variants?

The early grips were more "pinched" or contoured.
The early 44 flattops were shipped with these Walnut.

I'm sure because of the ease of production they went to what we know AFTER "contoured"

G2 · Mar 15, 2025

Killer set of early Contoured grips.
Interesting story bought the gun, Original owner had a nice set of Stags (non Ruger) on the gun and in a neat leather tooled rug, handed me the box, got home and these were in the box…

hittman · Mar 15, 2025

I’d go $450 on something needing $100 correct grips.
Neat old gun and the wear is more like good honest character to me, not abuse.
Low serial helps even with a shooter for those of us who care.

ArizonaTea123 · Mar 15, 2025

G2 said:
The early grips were more "pinched" or contoured.
The early 44 flattops were shipped with these Walnut.
View attachment 68344
View attachment 68346

I'm sure because of the ease of production they went to what we know AFTER "contoured"
View attachment 68355
View attachment 68347

Ok I see what you mean. The early grips were thinner and curved at the top of the frame. Later grips much thicker at the top of the frame. Also noticed the the Ruger medallions have just a black eagle and no SR or R.
Thanks for the pics and explanation.

thinckley · Mar 15, 2025

G2 said:
The rear sight does not look correct, Rounded off top back side, should be Squared. Look at my OM.
Is it a MICRO? What does the top strap look like. Drilled &/or Tapped?

It is not a micro. I did notice that but forgot to get a picture. No other modifications and not drilled or tapped.

6GUNSONLY · Mar 16, 2025

To me, it's a $500 gun as is.

Lt92 · Mar 16, 2025

I agree with the other posts ..I would love it as a project piece...send it off for some custom work

weaselmeatgravy · Mar 16, 2025

I'll split the difference of opinion and say $550 if you want it for a keeper, or $500 if you expect to resell it (for around $550).

I would not think a seller would be out of line if that were in the Classifieds at $600 SHIPPED since shipping/insurance would be in the $35 range.

Johnnu2 · Mar 16, 2025

Even a "cheapo" like me might pay $450; but WMG

makes good sense too....

J.

thinckley · Mar 16, 2025

Thank you everyone!

Hvymax · Mar 16, 2025

Timing and lockup would be what I was looking at. It clearly has been Rode Hard and Put Away Wet.
A collector looking to fill a gap would pay more than someone looking for a shooter.
If timing and or lockup is sloppy I would say $450. Is it converted to transfer bar or not and does it have the parts? If the lockup and timing seems decent $550-650 would be ok. If it's still reasonably tight it's only cosmetics. It would be a great project gun.

maxfam · Mar 16, 2025

If I were able to purchase it, I would probably leave it just like it is. Maybe change the grips. Shoot it a few rounds, clean it again and put it in the safe.

thinckley · Mar 16, 2025

Hvymax said:
Timing and lockup would be what I was looking at. It clearly has been Rode Hard and Put Away Wet.
A collector looking to fill a gap would pay more than someone looking for a shooter.
If timing and or lockup is sloppy I would say $450. Is it converted to transfer bar or not and does it have the parts? If the lockup and timing seems decent $550-650 would be ok. If it's still reasonably tight it's only cosmetics. It would be a great project gun.

Unconverted and lockup is perfect.

el caminero · Mar 16, 2025

Be delighted to send that amount for that one

contender · Mar 16, 2025

As I expected,, personal values are all over the place.

Some feel my estimate is too high,, and others feel it's about right, and a couple would gladly pay it.

Heck,, some posts were made w/o any reading of it's actual condition or parts.

But I stand by my general valuation because of ALL the variables involved.

weaselmeatgravy · Mar 16, 2025

60-70% shooter grade flattop with bogus grips and rear sight. I'll stick with $500 bid, $550 ask.

If I had it, I would try to move it along as-is, without putting another $200+ into the proper grips and sight. You don't want to be $700+ deep into a 60-70% shooter unless you plan to keep it. Collector pricing goes out the window once condition gets below what any collector would want.

On the bright side, if you want a shooter and can get it for $500, you should be able to recoup your money if you decided to sell it someday. Flatgate used to say that any old model centerfire Ruger that went bang when you pulled the trigger was worth $400. I reckon he would say at least $500 today, maybe more.

hittman · Mar 16, 2025

weaselmeatgravy said:
On the bright side, if you want a shooter and can get it for $500, you should be able to recoup your money if you decided to sell it someday.

^^^^^ This! ^^^^^.

jyo · Apr 1, 2025

NitroAcres said:
I wish one just like that would show up around here, I want to cut one down to 4-5/8...

I have a very late S/N 44 Flattop that was nicely cut down to 4 5/8" by a previous owner---a VERY nice carry piece that rides in an original Ruger flap holster...!

Looking for Opinions. 1958 .44 FT Blackhawk

Hunter

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Blackhawk

TYPE 1 FLATGATE

Red Eagle

Hawkeye

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Johnny Walker Double Black please

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Johnny Walker Double Black please

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Single-Sixer

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