I think that's a great idea!!
A best decade? Yes I consider a best decade existed for all Ruger's single actions and you probably know about it, the Old Model., however there were no stainless old models.
So from 1959 thru 1972 the Super BH has the 3 screw frame with a safety notch on the hammer, but not the modern transfer bar safety. Ruger's Pre 1973 single actions are known as Old Models. All parts are steel.
The big change happened in 1973 when Ruger introduced their New Model with transfer bar safety to keep idiots from shooting themselves or others with their own guns because they had bad gun handling habits. The single action handgun is a decades old traditional design without modern safety designs.
Because Ruger was and is a very successful company they became a target of ambulance chasing lawyers who bilked them for Millions of $.
However if you're looking for a stainless, it'll have to be a New Model you might be picky about slight design changes like I and many other Ruger fans are, so I list the following:
--Blue guns only: There was a period when the ejector rod housing was changed to aluminum after 1973, then switched back to steel 1999 .
--In 2012 a smooth trigger replaced the serrated originals.
--The cylinder pin has a collar until 2012 when the collar was eliminated.
--The ugly and hated Billboard message “Read the owner’s manual…” was marked on all barrels starting in the late 1970s. After 2006 it was moved to the bottom of the barrel and less obvious.
So do you know if your dad's was an Old Model or a New Model?
If you want something special to honor your dad: A special New Model was made Roll marked in gold "50th ANNIVERSARY SUPER BLACKHAWK 2009" with a premium super high polish blue finish, cocobolo wood grips, some gold accents and a special soft case, but only in 7 1/2".
See a few for sale here:
https://www.gunbroker.com/all/search/completed?keywords=ruger 50th anniversary super blackhawk&timeframe=1&sort=1&pagesize=48
