BKH47 with character

[Chance]

Pictured here is very likely the bu** ugliest 44 Flattop in existance today. Shipped in Jan of 1960 this gun, 2302x, it is so bad even Ruger only partially claims it. The nice lady's in records do admit it was shipped but do not have the original invoice. Couldn't even find it on micro-fish. Gun is unconverted, unsighted, un base pin latched and untrigger guarded. Close inspection reveals it has not been reblued although the grips are most likely not factory.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: the rifling is bright, sharp and shinny in the 7 1/2 bbl.
I like guns with character but this one really pushes the limit.
Just goes to show there is interesting stuff at shows outside of Ohio.

 

[mike722]

man, that is just plain criminal!

 

[cellar701]

Oh my - I don't believe I could have left the building with those grips in my possession. Chance, you must have a strong stomach to still have those around, and still on the gun!

Any idea what they were doing with the cut-out on the trigger guard?

 

[americal]

Well the gun is interesting-- makes me wonder what was going on :lol: I saw a RSS5 with a wooden base pin with a nail in the end to pull it out should have bought it but wanted 250.00 and it was rough :shock:

 

[rugerguy]

hey there is always 'hope,' we've redone quite a few, LOTS worse than yours,,,,,,you have the base there for a proper 'restoration' 8)

as you say,right now it is indeed "bu**ugly".......... 8)

and as for that trigger guard 'cutout' there were guns mainly Colts that this was called a "Fritz Special".........back in "the day"....... :wink:

 

[americal]

Rugerguy your right I bet you could have that gun looking good at a decent price--making a great shooter 8) fun project :!: Really not a lot of dings in the gun --the grip frame really needs to go --get a flattop sight your in business

 

[Chance]

Have been going back and forth between parting it out, selling it to someone else for a project or doing it myself.

The guy I got it from said it was used as a "fast shooter", thus the modified triger guard.

Grips may get donated to Flatgate (if he wants 'em). The dungeon seems like a good storage place along with some of his other oddballs. I couldn't take them off before getting some pics to prove someone really did this. They appear to be made of resin and actually fit pretty well.

 

[Chance]

Rugerguy just happens to have most of a flattop sight over in the classifieds

 

[Robb Barnes]

Okay Chance, I love projects like that! If you decide to sell the thing let me know if you would. Most of the parts ot put it back together are hiding in the parts box if I am not mistaken.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

I beleive I would send it in for rebuild and refinish......... 8)

 

[Unconverted]

I've seen a few rough Rugers, but this is the first one that I ever mentally applied the term "rescue" to. That old dog has been abused! Look at the hammer!

First to the Vet, then to the shelter, then to a good home.

 

[martyj]

Awfully early in the morning to be looking at those grips.

 

[contender]

Man, I have to agree on the bu## ugly factor.
However, I'd remove those grips, knock out the medallions, & trash the rest. Next, I'd remove the gripframe, and replace it with a correct one. I'd hunt up the proper rear sight, a replacement hammer, a base pin latch assy, and then have the whole thing re-blued.
The next time it got photographed would be to show what a true makeover looks like!

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Retracting on return to factory. If mine, I'd simply dig into the "possibles" box* and retrofit it.........After 40+ years, i'm sure there is enough "Stuff" in there*......... 8)

 

[flattop44]

I like that "fast shooter"....yep, get that X@**%# rear sight off, it'll hurt my quick draw!!!
Ft44

 

[WARD]

A few months back I walked into an experienced BKH47 at a local gun sellors and it followed me home. Mine was also missing the original grips as they had been replace with a set of imitation plastic pearl grips which were noticably cracked. I had to wonder how anyone could put those ugly plastic pearls on a revolver with such character. BUT, compared to your grips, I am feeling pretty lucky!

Mine shoots very well and is all there mechanically with an excellant bore and snug lockup but does show some blue wear. So far I have fitted some of the current black eagle flat top black plastic grips (pretty easy to do) and am planning on eventually replacing all of the screws. I think I will then keep it as is and just shoot it as the mood strikes!

An interesting side note, mine is serial 28,3xx and has the XR3 grip frame while my BKH46 is 28,9xx and has the XR3-RED grip frame.

Ward

 

[americal]

I like that "fast shooter"....yep, get that X@**%# rear sight off, it'll hurt my quick draw!!!
Ft44

YOUR right 44 HA :!: talk about tearing your hand up :lol:

 

[Chance]

Diggin through the parts bin looks like everything is available except the micro sight. Even have a set of the proper varnished walnut XR3 grip panels. Will the new micro sights work and will Ruger sell them?

 

[rugerguy]

I can help you with the original Micro sights, gotta few of them here............

and no , you should NOT fast draw, slam fire with a Micro sight on a 'flatop' that will hurt your hand........ 8)
( thats why they wore gloves...... :roll: )

 

[Chance]

Dan
Do you have the screw to go with it or just the body and blade?

 

[flatgate]

This one was "rescued"........

but it sure wasn't as bad as the OP.

It's been fitted with a blued steel grip frame from a New Model.

flatgate

PS No thanks on those grips.........

 

[rugerguy]

That one came out pretty nice 'Flatgate' good job.....
as for these 'Micro' sights , we have just the original blade & sight body, we use newer 'innards' to make them work, and the elevation screw for the older style ,we use the one from a Colt rear sight......all the parts are available.
Most of the time folks just use the parts from their old ,beat up, ones........new or old.

 

[americal]

Is the cup half full or half empty :?: :lol: I KNOW that creature of a gun could be made into a fine gun like Flatgates I see a project coming :arrow: go for it 8)

 

[Chance]

Project is a go. Last night stripping the gun down I found the ERH screw broken off in the bbl and super glue holding the ERH on.

Dan, you have a PM

 

[Chance]

Very nice Flatgate

 

[flatgate]

Very nice Flatgate

And the fun part is that it's a darn nice shooter!

Then there's this one that has been rescued.....

Original barrel. New Model Super Blackhawk grip frame. New Model Bisley hammer extensively modified and a wide OM trigger. Grips are Lett's Fancy Walnuts

It, too, is a darn good shooter!

flatgate

 

[americal]

GOOD GRIEF :lol: WHAT A GUN FG--never seen that one 8) you sure gotta lot of nice modified soup-up Rugers --thanks for a look

 

[flatgate]

An interesting side note, mine is serial 28,3xx and has the XR3 grip frame while my BKH46 is 28,9xx and has the XR3-RED grip frame.

Ward

flatgate

 

[WARD]

Very nice Flatgate, did the consec pair come together or were you able to match up a couple of singles? They appear to show different amounts of wear.

Do you suppose there was much overlap on the use of XR3 vs XR3-RED grip frames or was it simply running out of one and then starting the other?

Ward

 

[Coop]

High Folks,

I very rarely visit the collector thread. I did pick up on this thread, and I have a question/observation.

If you look at the OP note with pics, and number the pics 1-8 top to bottom. No. 2 shows the LH grip with no hump over the medallion. No. 6 shows a close-up of the LH grip with a hump. Curious, eh? Is No. 6 a reversed image?

Coop