BRASS grip frame on a Blackhawk

[theoldcoot]

Could this be a factory gun, or just a piece that somebody prettied up? Attached are a couple of photos (they are compressed and I can send the full size one if you need a better look). This a .357 with a 4-5/8 barrel. Five digit serial number: 572xx. The hammer has been jeweled. I don’t know if you can see it in the photos, but it appears that the main frame, and cylinder, are kind of a rose color and the barrel is the typical blue color. Any ideas?

Thanks for any input you can offer...

 

[SAJohn]

Date of birth for your revolver is 1964. Those Dragoon brass grip frames were first offered for sale by Ruger as a component part to be installed by the owner in 1965. Factory fitted ones were only available for the Super Blackhawk. It wasn't until 1972 that Ruger offered factory fitted brass grip frames for the rest of the Blackhawk line.

Smaller foundaries have also offered similar brass frames. Ruger ones have a casting mark inside MR-3BD.

If yours has the casting mark I would still give Ruger a call to find out how the revolver was configured when it left the factory. They will furnish you with a free letter.

The "plum" color is considered a plus by many collectors, the jeweled hammer not so much.

That is one handsome revolver.

 

[JWhitmore44]

That is a sweat looking Blackhawk. I really like the plumb coloring and that brass frame help sets it off. I even like the jeweled hammer :)

 

[RugerHound]

Yep, that's a VERY nice gun! As was mentioned, it's most likely NOT a Ruger-installed grip frame. The good news: If it IS an MR-3BD frame they're pretty pricey and could add value to the revolver for the right buyer! The aftermarket dragoon style frames do not fit all that well in my experience.

If'n it were me... I might be inclined to put it back to as-shipped and use the fancy goodies on a gun that's not quite so 'collectably plum'. :) An MR-3BD brass frame & grip panels could snag ~350+ bucks by themselves if they're not modfied.

 

[theoldcoot]

Guys, thanks for all the info. I pulled the panels off the grip frame and it DOES have the "MR-3BD" on the casting. Rather than take it apart, which I am no good at (actually, it's the putting it back together part that I have trouble with), I think I would sell it as is. It is a pretty gun!

 

[rugerguy]

hard to tell by the pictures if the gun was 'redone" looks pretty good, but as noted above too early for a 'factory shipped brassie'....the hammer is definitely "custom" (engine turned/jeweled),,,,,,,so makes the package one of those the "value is the total of the sum of the parts...." even if you 'strip the frame, you must replace it ewith one of the proper vintage, so you would be "adding& subtracting"...yes sell it "as it is" let the new owner swapped things out....all in all, still a very NICE gun

 

[contender]

Nice find in that brass GF!

theoldcoot; Your avatar pic,, is that you? If so, you look one heck of a lot like a good friend of mine who passed away last year. I like the pic!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I would definitely check with Ruger to see if that gun shipped as a "brassie", even though it's unlikely. It costs nothing to check, and with Ruger "never say never".

Even though the hammer has been "messed with", a factory brass-framed gun is still worth a considerable premium. The hammer can easily be replaced with a standard non-modified item and the gun thus returned to essentially original condition.

JMHO

:)

 

[theoldcoot]

Contender, yep that is me in the pic and I am very much alive.

Ale-8, I did send a letter off to Ruger requesting the configuration of that gun when it was shipped. Once I get their response, I can put a value on it and list it for sale.

Guys, thanks for the contact
Ken

 

[Ale-8(1)]

If you call 603-865-2442 and ask for the Records Department they can tell you about your gun. If you ask, they will send you a free letter confirming the information.

:)

 

[theoldcoot]

Ale-8(1)
Hey thanks, I didn't even think about calling them. I have always done the info request thing by way of snail-mail!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

:wink:

 

[RugerHound]

If you're REALLY lucky and have been a good guy all your life, you might find you've stumbled onto a late shipper! You just never know with Ruger!

 

[contender]

Hey oldcoot, I was NOT implying you weren't alive!!!! :D It's just your picture that was a FOND reminder of a lost friend. The glasses, the hat etc,, all look so much like him. Thanks for the pic,, as good reminders make life pleasant.

 

[flatgate]

Methinks the brass grip frame is one of the accessories sold by Ruger.

Of course, JMHO, flatgate

 

[theoldcoot]

Here's the letter I got back from Ruger when I asked them to send me the configuration of this gun when it left the factory. Reckon we will never know, for sure, how it was built. I guess we will have to go with it being modified after the fact. Still a pretty piece no matter what.

And that's all she wrote folks...

 

[flatgate]

The ship date clinches it, IMHO. Ruger didn't make brass grip frames in '63.

Does your Blackhawk have the original "narrow" trigger or the wide and grooved "target" trigger that was shipped with the MR3-DB.

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[theoldcoot]

Flatgate, it DOES have the wide "target" trigger.

Regards

 

[Dockem]

Still a mighty nice looking firearm, regardless of it's pedigree.

8)