My Early Flat Top

[Vortex]

Hey guys I have been meaning to put up pictures of this Blackhawk for a while now to see what you guys think about it. I bought it earlier this year not really knowing anything about single actions at the time when I purchased it. After shooting this one I went out and bought a new model in 45 colt to get a small single action collection going.

This one here has a 3 digit serial number and is in 44 mag with a 6 1/2" barrel. It has the early square ejector rod button and early cylinder base pin. It has not had a transfer bar conversion done to it.

 

[Danjet500]

That's a beauty!

 

[Jim Puke]

That's a beauty!

X 2

 

[RoninPA]

Oh, I don't know, but looks like a keeper to me :D

 

[G2]

Nice,
it also has the correct early pointer screw for the Micro.

Edit to stand down on the ERB comment, I'm a accumulator, enthusiast, certainly not a collector, or authority. Please excuse my comment. :oops:

 

[Vortex]

Hmm I was told by a few different collectors that this ERB was used on the earliest 44's released by Ruger. I do know that that small button makes unloading a real chore though!

 

[69HEMI R/T]

Gorgeous old Ruger! Congrats on a fine revolver!

 

[magnum711]

That is NICE!

 

[contender]

It looks very good to me!
And the EJR button could easily be correct. I'd say it's very likely on a nice 3 digit gun like that.

 

[Vortex]

Thanks guys!!

 

[Chance]

That's one fine flat top

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

SWEET !!!

 

[Poco Oso]

Absolutely beautiful! Does that have that nice "plum" blush, or is that just the light? You're a lucky man. Congrats.

 

[gunman42782]

Beautiful!

 

[bagdadjoe]

I'll take it!!.......... ;-) worth a try. very nice, indeed.

 

[Dale53]

My first .44 Magnum was an early Ruger Super Blackhawk which I bought used (actually traded for) in the early 1960's. The serial number is under 5000, as I remember (I still have it). It was satisfactory in every way. However, I lusted after one of the original .44 Magnum Flattops as pictured here. However, I was always behind the price curve and never managed to acquire one of them.

Finally, many years later, I bought one of the Anniversary .44 Magnum Flattops. It is a fine piece, too. However, I gave that one to my great son-in-law and it has a good home. He can shoot and lives in Big Game Country. It has a good home.

To the O.P. - Congratulations on a great find!

Dale53

 

[street]

RENE states that early guns made no later then Dec. 1956 were shipped with small serrated ejector rod buttons, and most were shipped with Hard rubber grip panels, but not all. It also states that probably no more then 100 made. Here is a list of serial numbers that the RENE has listed that have the small button: 4, 121, 204, 221, 232, 254, 255, 301, 376, 379, 598, 864, 892. If your gun is not in that list please get in touch with the RENE so Chad can include it in his list.

Oh! By the way! That's a great find for an early .44 Flattop. Flattops with the small ejector rod button are on the list for a lot of collectors!!!! :lol:

 

[Vortex]

Thank you for the info street, my serial number is not one of those you listed. Do you have any contact info for RENE? my google power is turning up websites for actress Rene Russo and links to this forum :lol:

 

[princeout]

Vortex,
PM Chet15 on this site to get Chad at RENE.
Tim

 

[Vortex]

Will do, Thank you!

 

[David LaPell]

I feel faint.

 

[Ethang]

That is a great looking pistol. For a first single action you picked a good one.

 

[RugerHound]

I'm all kinds of jealous! ;) What a gorgeous .44!

 

[Vortex]

Thanks everyone!
I would like to say it was my keen eye for nice firearms that landed me this gun but it was pretty much just a chance meeting with a neighbor and me telling him I was looking for a big bore revolver. He showed me this Ruger and even though I knew nothing about single actions (including how to take it apart) I bought it.
Some google searches and looking around on this forum made me realize I got a pretty nice firearm.

Shooting this gun was so much fun I ended up picking up a new model .45 convertible. Next I have my eyes on either a single action .22 or maybe a .357

Now I am on the search for some leather for the .44. The gun came with a cowboy type holster and belt but that is not really my taste.

 

[Tip]

Thanks everyone!
I would like to say it was my keen eye for nice firearms that landed me this gun but it was pretty much just a chance meeting with a neighbor...

Wow, Vortex!
We all should be so lucky! Congratulations!

That's truly a beautiful, rare find -especially, in that condition.
Thank you for sharing the story and the pictures with us. :)