OM Blackhawk .41 questions

[digi-shots]

Does anyone know the reasoning for Ruger changing the serial numbers (no-prefix to prefix) on the first four years of production?

I have a first year, 3 screw, four digit and wondered if it was any different than the ones with the #40- prefix.
Is has been converted with a transfer bar. The gun is in great shape and appears unfired… did Ruger test fire the gun when they were refitted?

thanks!

 

[hittman]

Welcome to the forum!

There may be very minor differences but I think things like the action, frame, cylinder, barrel, etc. remained the same.

Don't know the answers, sorry. Others will be along who do.

 

[Dan in MI]

I have no idea, but a question that may be related. When did Ruger switch to protected rear sights? Does it coincide with the prefix serial numbers?

I'm thinking this may be better in the collector forum. When I get in my computer I'll duplicate it. On the phone I'm useless.

 

[hittman]

This might help:

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[Dan in MI]

Ok, skip wild guess number 1.

Looking at Dugan's books it appears the prefix was added in 1969. Result of GCA '68?

 

[JohnW]

The reason for Ruger going to the prefix serial number system was indeed the Gun Control Act of 1968. It required every firearm a manufacturer produced to have a unique serial number, as of 1/1/1969. The prefix system was Ruger's way of accomplishing this. Prior to this, there would be mutiple models (including different calibers within the same model) with the same serial number. If you look into the serial number history of Ruger, every model produced in 1968 that carried over production into 1969, switched from the non-prefix to prefix S/N system.

I believe Ruger Records note the ship date of a particular firearm, so there are undoubtedly non-prefixed guns out there that will be identified as shipped in 1969, but be non-prefix.

To the OP, I'd love to see a couple photos of your non-prefix BKH41. I have one myself, that I picked up locally several years ago. It is unconverted and very nice mechanically, but a complete disaster cosmetically. It is currently in the hands of Bobby Tyler, being restored to as-it-left-Southport condition.

 

[contender]

JohnW has answered the main question. The GCA of 1968 was the reason the prefix's were added.
As for other differences,, on the .41's I do not recall anything changing between the two.

Dan's query,, No, the change from the Flattops,, to the protected ears rear sights happened in 1962-1963. All the .41's were made after the transition to the protected ear rear sights.

And lastly,, the test fire after a conversion from the OM action to the transfer bar,, I do believe Ruger does test them. If the gun appears "unfired" there are )2) plausible thoughts here. (1) It was like new,, and yet sent for a transfer bar, or (2) it went for a factory refinish, and was automatically retrofitted with the transfer bar. Ruger will always retro an OM when it comes in for service. My guess is #2.

 

[Johnnu2]

digi-shots, hopefully you got the old/original parts that would have come with the 'conversion' (?) Those parts are worth about $150 in today's world to those of us who regularly put our old model/3-screw guns back to their original, pre-conversion, grandeur. I would guess that someone will be sending you a PM (private message) offering to buy them. If you bought the gun already converted and with the box it came back from Ruger after the conversion, often the orig. parts are under a flap in the top (?) cover of the box. If not, forget this additional info.; you still have a great and desireable gun.

J.

 

[digi-shots]

Thanks for all the info.. I've had this for a few years. I'm more of a S&W collector but this Ruger has a great look.

It did cone with a sealed parts bag but was told it might not go with gun. I can take some pics of the parts bag…

The gun doesn't look refinished… again, I'll take some close ups and also look on the frame for any R stampings etc.

 

[rugerguy]

Nice gun, and look on the plastic bag, they used to mark the serial number of the gun they were working on at the top of the returned parts bag, only other way to be sure it put them back in and see if it works, timing, etc............
the factory stamping of the letter "R" will be on the bottom of the cylinder frame hidden by the grip frame..........

 

[dobegrant.45]

I have bought used blackhawks that had been converted and the old 3 screw parts were in a bag in the box

 

[Johnnu2]

Like I said, those orig 3-screw parts are wrth $125 - to as high as $150.... FYI, they are classified as LARGE FRAME parts if you decide to sell them

I just used a set that I had in my stash to re-convert a classic .44 Mag Flattop blackhawk.... made it a much more valuable gun once I got the 'safety' crap out of it and brought it back to its original grandeur...

IMHO,
J.

 

[contender]

Pull the cylinder out,, & look at the firing pin recoil shield. That little round spot should be shiny if the gun wasn't reblued. Usually, when doing a reblue,, they leave those parts in place & that recoil shield will be blued as well. It's one of the easiest ways to help determine if a reblue was done.

 

[mr.deerstalker]

The GCA of 1968 was why you now have prefixes. the 3 major events in 1968 where. Martin Luther King shooting, then the Robert Kennedy shooting, but the one that pushed it over the TOP was all the ROITING and SHOOTINGS and KILLINGS at the Democratic Presidential Convention in CHICAGO! (some things don't change) yep...them folks still have not figuring it out. it was NEVER the guns. but it IS the prepatrader. after 50 plus years proves JUST how stupid they are...FNC

 

[jimbo1096]

That's a nice looking OM 41Mag! And a 4 digit. Sure hope you can make it whole again as Mr. Ruger intended.

 

[digi-shots]

There are no numbers on the parts bag… I'll take some pics and post.

I did take the grip sticks off and do not see any "R" stampings… all other stamps are sharp and overall the gun is super clean maybe 98% or better.

 

[digi-shots]

I just re-read… "….bottom of cylinder frame" ??
Should I take out cylinder out and look for R? Under trigger guard?

 

[rugerguy]

grip frame has to come off and the letter is stamped on the bottom of the cylinder frame, between the two frames, out of sight......

 

[digi-shots]

Here are a few more pics

 

[digi-shots]

And a miscellaneous sealed parts bag