Old Model Blackhawk .41 mag

[carnivore]

I recently acquired a 1970 Old Model Blackhawk .41 mag when my son in laws step father passed away. It's well worn, with some dings and minor rust on the frame, but the cylinder was reblued in the past and has turned brown. Since the cylinder was reblued already I assume getting it properly blued will help its value? The action is still very solid and doesn't seem to have any issues.
The grip frame and ejector tube are currently polished aluminum. Am I correct in assuming that is not how it came from the factory?
I appreciate any help on this!

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Ok, that's not a factory finish as you figured. The aluminum grip frame & ejector housing were anodized when made. Not uncommon to see polished out like that.
You can replace both parts, and make it look more original. Plus, a reblue will not hurt it. That gun was shipped in 1970 according to the serial number.
Those guns are good shooters, and will easily take nice whitetails,,,,,,, just like the ones in the picture!

 

[rugerguy]

Welcome to the Forum, nice picture of a neat old model, yes you can do LOTS to any of them, here is my late friend Freds OM 41 mag, we had done for him last year, used stainless Old Army parts as well as shortened the barrel to 5 inches, bottom one is a standard ,OM 41 mag........

 

[carnivore]

Thanks for the info guys! It helps a lot!
I really like the look of the one that has had the barrel shortened. How difficult was the process to get it shortened?

 

[rugerguy]

pulled the barrel, unsoldered the front sight, cut the barrel to 5 inch, remount the front sight., recrown, and reblued the barrel, thread the barrel back in place..................the stainless frame and housing simple swap.....

 

[6GUNSONLY]

A quality reblue in either bright polish or satin would do that old girl good. I have one gun with the grip frame polished out bright on it - I kinda like the contrast.

The .41 is an excellent cartridge. I shot them for several years and have killed deer with it. A few years ago I settled on nothing but .357s and .44s just to simplify loading chores and components inventory, but if I were starting from scratch I would have no reservations about going with the .41 as my primary big-bore revolver. It will do anything I ever plan to need a revolver for. Nice old gun, hope you enjoy it whether you refinish it or shoot it as-is.