altajava
Bearcat
Is a flat top the same thing as a three screw and what years were they produced??
Blackhawk production questions
- Thread starter altajava
- Start date
contender
Ruger Guru
Welcome to the Forum!
Well the short way to answer this would be to tell you to "get the books." However, I'll give you a short history. In 1955, the original Old Model Blackhawk was introduced in 357. It had a flat topstrap. It also had 3 screws in the side of the frame. All Old Models will have the "3 screw frame." That lasted until the introduction of the New Model in 1973.
In 1956 the Flattop 44 mag Blackhawk was introduced.
The Flattops were dropped from production in favor of the "protected ears" topstrap during the "transition era" of 1962-1963.
The only Old Model Flattops were in 357 & 44. The 22 cal Single-Six was not a Flattop.
In 2005, Ruger gave us New Model Flattops starting with the 357 on it's 50th anniversary. They have done others since.
So, the 3 screws were all Old Models up until 1973. That would be the 22's, 357's, 41's, 44's, 45's 30 Carbines etc.
The only OM Flattops were in 357's & 44's.
Well the short way to answer this would be to tell you to "get the books." However, I'll give you a short history. In 1955, the original Old Model Blackhawk was introduced in 357. It had a flat topstrap. It also had 3 screws in the side of the frame. All Old Models will have the "3 screw frame." That lasted until the introduction of the New Model in 1973.
In 1956 the Flattop 44 mag Blackhawk was introduced.
The Flattops were dropped from production in favor of the "protected ears" topstrap during the "transition era" of 1962-1963.
The only Old Model Flattops were in 357 & 44. The 22 cal Single-Six was not a Flattop.
In 2005, Ruger gave us New Model Flattops starting with the 357 on it's 50th anniversary. They have done others since.
So, the 3 screws were all Old Models up until 1973. That would be the 22's, 357's, 41's, 44's, 45's 30 Carbines etc.
The only OM Flattops were in 357's & 44's.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
altajava said:
Contender covered it completely. The answer is no. The 3 screw flattops ended in 1962-63, but the 3 screws continued until 1972-73.
The new current flattops are all New Models.
flatgate
Hawkeye
Ruger's percussion revolver, the Old Army, also has a "three screw" lockwork.
flatgate
flatgate
Hawkeye
Original .357 mag. Blackhawk, s/n 636
50th Anniv. .357 mag. Blackhawk s/n 520-00636
50th Anniv. .44 mag. Blackhawk s/n 870-00636
flatgate
My Blackhawk in .357 is suppose to be the 269th frame made with the ears over the rear sight in 1962. Still shoots like new and other than holster wear, is in really good condition. I would list the serial number if the gun was handy but it's not. I can see why they made the change but the flat tops are awful nice.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
BrittB said:
It probably has a Micro stamped sight!
Hondo44
Hawkeye
It might have just been the 1st hundred or so.
flatgate
Hawkeye
The change from the Flat Top Strap to the Protected Rear Sight design is generally stated to have occurred at or very near s/n 42691. The Flattops had a "half round" front end on their Micro marked rear sights. The Protected Rear Sight guns used a "square front" Micro marked rear sight until sometime in late 1963 or early 1964. Ruger's "in house" sight has been used ever since until the reissue of the Flattops as 50th Anniversary guns in 2005 (.357) and 2006 (.44 mag.).
flatgate
PS Contact Ruger for a "Letter" on your Blackhawk.
flatgate
PS Contact Ruger for a "Letter" on your Blackhawk.
Bob's List shows 42689 as the "last flattop shipped" and has the comment that 42690 ws not built. There is no mention of 42691, but a notation that 42692 is in the NRA museum, with 42693 being shipped in November of 1962.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
flatgate said:
I've always wondered where the new Micro sights come from since they've been out of business for years.
flatgate
Hawkeye
IIRC, s/n 42691 appears in the Ad that announces the XR3-RED grip frames.
flatgate
PS Hondo44, what? You don't have one of the 50th Anniv. .44's? :shock:
flatgate
PS Hondo44, what? You don't have one of the 50th Anniv. .44's? :shock:
Man, if we can confirm that number (42691) it would be a HUGE entry on Bob's List!
:shock: :shock: :shock:
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Hondo44
Hawkeye
flatgate said:
And not even a 50th 357.
One original 357 FT converted to 44Spl and still have original barrel and Cylinder for it.
One original 44Mag FT.
Two 44 Spl NMs: Vaq and FT.
And too many NM 44 Mags already that I hardly ever shoot.
My acquisition priority is a shootable Hawkeye.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Ale-8(1) said:
I'm not sure if this what you want but the 42,691 # as the 1st non-FT is in Dougan's book.
Thanks, but I don't think Dougan says it's the first gun built, just that it's the first serial number after the end of the flattops. It should be, because 42689 was theoretically the last flattop built, 42690 was theoretically NOT built, and 42692 is in the NRA museum.
We all know that not all the serial numbers were actually built and shipped.
It would be super to discover that 42691 actually was built and we have somebody who has seen it . . . or can perhaps at least confirm it's the one pictured. That's what I'm hoping for.
We all know that not all the serial numbers were actually built and shipped.
It would be super to discover that 42691 actually was built and we have somebody who has seen it . . . or can perhaps at least confirm it's the one pictured. That's what I'm hoping for.
flatgate
Hawkeye
All we need is a good copy of that Ad. I may have one down in the dungeon.........
flatgate
flatgate
Anticipation . . .
:shock:
:shock:
:shock:
:shock:
