Interesting OM Blackhawk Ruger Letters Research

[SBHRSSSSS]

I finally got around to sending for Ruger Letters for my group of Old Model Blackhawks. Its interesting to see where they were shipped to from the factory, then to ponder how they got to my area. An interesting mystery. Anyway, for your enjoyment, though there are no photos.

Ruger Blackhawk produced in March 1968; Designated as a BKH-31 .30 Carbine; Shipped to Morse Hardware Company, New York, NY in March 1968

Ruger Blackhawk produced in September 1957; Designated as a BKH3 .357 Magnum; Shipped to J.L. Galef & Son, Inc., New York, NY in September 1957

Ruger Blackhawk produced in April 1959; Designated as a BKH3 .357 Magnum; Shipped to Harvan Sporting Goods, New York, NY in April 1959

Ruger Super Blackhawk produced in February 1967; Designated as a S-47 .44 Magnum; Shipped to Baker & Hamilton Company, San Francisco, CA. in February 1967

Ruger Blackhawk produced in October 1960; Designated as a BKH-36 .357 Magnum; Shipped to Sloan's Sporting Goods Company, New York, NY in October 1960

Ruger Blackhawk produced in October 1962; Designated as a BKH-46 .44 Magnum; Shipped to National Sporting Goods, Baltimore, MD in October 1962

Ruger Blackhawk produced in March 1968; Designated as a BKH-36 .357 Magnum; Shipped to Morse Hardware Company, New York, NY in March 1968

Ruger Blackhawk produced in December 1968; Designated as a BKH-34 .357 Magnum; Shipped to Berns Wholesale Sporting Goods Company, Denver, CO in December 1968

Ruger Blackhawk produced in December 1968; Designated as a BKH-36 .357 Magnum; Shipped to American Wholesale Hardware Company, Long Beach, CA in December 1968

Ruger Blackhawk produced in April 1969; Designated as a BKH-41 .41 Magnum; Shipped to Morse Hardware Company, Bellingham, WA in April 1969

Ruger Blackhawk produced in March 1971; Designated as a BKH-42 .41 Magnum; Shipped to Dayton Gun Headquarters, Dayton, OH in March 1971

Ruger Blackhawk Convertable produced in March 1972; Designated as a BKH-44X .45LC/.45ACP; Shipped to Western-Hoegee Company, Glendale,
CA in March 1972

Ruger Blackhawk Produced in October 1972; Designated as a BKH-45B .45 Long Colt; Shipped to Gopher Shooters Supply Company, Faribault, MN in October 1972; Shipped with a Brass Grip Frame

 

[hittman]

What is "your area"?

 

[contender]

I find it interesting that most of these guns were initially shipped to places that have become rabidly anti-gun. And a lot of that was BEFORE the 1968 Gun Control Act.

 

[chet15]

Does your October 1962 shipped .44 Blackhawk have an XR3-RED grip frame on it?
Chet15

 

[SBHRSSSSS]

Hittman- Washington. In fact, one of the .41's, I purchased in the same town it was shipped to
Contender- I agree, it was something that jumped out immediately
Chet15- Working out of town, will check this weekend and let you know

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I finally got around to sending for Ruger Letters for my group of Old Model Blackhawks. Its interesting to see where they were shipped to from the factory, then to ponder how they got to my area. An interesting mystery. Anyway, for your enjoyment, though there are no photos.

Man, you're gonna shame me into doing the same.

 

[SBHRSSSSS]

Ale-8- My guess is you have a collection of letter that would put mine to shame

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Ale-8- My guess is you have a collection of letter that would put mine to shame

I have more of an "accumulation" than a "collection" but I've been at it for quite a while. I have lettered exactly two pieces, an OM .357 flattop (1956) and an OM .44 flattop (1960).

Lately I've become curious about where all of mine were originally shipped, and the two letters I got quite a long time ago didn't provide that info. I note that it appears this is now provided, and this has aroused my curiosity.

Your list is impressive . . . thanks.

 

[SBHRSSSSS]

Ale-8, Oh, I get the accumulator concept. Yes, I do. Why is what I'm trying to understand! Anyway, if you look back, I posted similar info on my SingleSix accumulation. It's interesting.

 

[JAYDAWG]

Thanks for posting.
I too, am curious about where the things I have were shipped, so I made the T1 Flatgate list.

Interesting how many destinations match with the RSS list, and like contender mentioned,
how many went to now, very anti-gun cities.
Fun stuff.

 

[JAYDAWG]

I finally got around to sending for Ruger Letters for my group of Old Model Blackhawks. Its interesting to see where they were shipped to from the factory, then to ponder how they got to my area. An interesting mystery. Anyway, for your enjoyment, though there are no photos.

Ruger Blackhawk produced in March 1968; Designated as a BKH-31 .30 Carbine; Shipped to Morse Hardware Company, New York, NY in March 1968

Ruger Blackhawk produced in September 1957; Designated as a BKH3 .357 Magnum; Shipped to J.L. Galef & Son, Inc., New York, NY in September 1957

Sorry,
Didn't mean to hijack your thread....
I just wanted to have a link to the RSS list, but this is what I got.
Tech challenged
Jay

 

[SBHRSSSSS]

No problem Jaydawg! A very cool list with some interesting names from our history. Thank you for posting!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Ale-8, Oh, I get the accumulator concept. Yes, I do. Why is what I'm trying to understand! Anyway, if you look back, I posted similar info on my SingleSix accumulation. It's interesting.

Being interested, I searched back and found your Single-Six list . . . very nice.

Single Six Letters

Well, for those that may be interested, here are the results of my Single Six Letters Requests. Enjoy. By the way, guessing the RSS9X is a 9 1/2" Barrel... what happened to the missing 3" or so?!?! Produced in May 1957; Designated as a Model Single Six .22 lr; Shipped to Stoeger Arms Corp in...

www.rugerforum.com

My oldest S-S is a Type 2 Flatgate which I believe is from 1955. I need to letter it.

 

[SBHRSSSSS]

Hi Chet, I checked the '62 .44 Blackhawk; it has an XR3 Grip Frame. Anything I should understand as an Accumulator? Thanks.

 

[chet15]

Hi Chet, I checked the '62 .44 Blackhawk; it has an XR3 Grip Frame. Anything I should understand as an Accumulator? Thanks.

No, that's generally the date associated with when Ruger started putting XR3-RED grip frames on the last of the flattops.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

. . . and it's not too uncommon to find a gun from that transitional period with either type grip frame.

And there's really no certain way to know if it was shipped that way or if the grip frame has been switched.

I have a BKH3 from 1956 and a BKH47 from 1960, and not too surprisingly both wear XR3 grip frames. I do occasionally wonder if the BKH47 might have had its panels switched to the walnut variety at some point, but I like them.

 

[SBHRSSSSS]

Thanks Chet and Ale!

 

[southernbuck101]

Thanks for posting.
I too, am curious about where the things I have were shipped, so I made the T1 Flatgate list.

Interesting how many destinations match with the RSS list, and like contender mentioned,
how many went to now, very anti-gun cities.

I can remember Beck and Greg Hardware from my childhood.
My dad worked at a local marina that was owned by two brothers who also owned a Furniture/Appliance/Hardware store just northeast of Atlanta, and Beck and Greg supplied a lot of items for their Hardware section.
I was maybe 8 or 9 years old at the time.
1969-70ish.
my Grandfather bought a Snapper Comet Riding mower from them that OSHA would have a stroke over today.
When the blade was engaged, the handle was resting in a groove cut into the mowing deck and held there by a spring.
The blade was spinning until the operator manually dis-engaged it.
The good old days

 

[JAYDAWG]

Very cool.
This is why I compiled the list and ask anyone to add to it, anonymously of course.
The two guns on the T1 flatgate list from Beck & Greg are #61 and #581. I am lucky
enough to have the #581 and the fun part is getting real lucky and learn the history about them.
Now I know a bit more. Thanks for the post!
Here is a link to a thread about #581.

A RUGER from S&W ??

One of the type 1 RSS's I picked up in Tulsa. Beautiful gun with cool provenance. I'm fortunate to be it's next caretaker. JAYDAWG

www.rugerforum.com

Cheers,
JAYDAWG

 

[RoninPA]

SBHRSSSSS - if you "Reletter" your guns the new letter should give you the rest of the info you might be wanting.

I have about half of my Rugers lettered (75) and am working to get all of them done at some point in time. I know other Ruger owners that probably have all of their Rugers lettered. It doesn't ever hurt to have the letters and can actually enhance the selling price if you are so inclined to sell one or more. On the ones that were lettered quite some time ago, I get them relettered when I'm getting the others done to get the additional information.