Refinish a 1964 Ruger Super Blackhawk; huh?

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Sacramento Johnson

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
Messages
752
Location
Nevada
Hi all!
Was channel surfing last night and came across some program where they refinish older firearms. Some friend brought in their late dad's 1964 3 screw Ruger Super Blackhawk with squareback trigger guard and 7 1/2 inch barrel in 44 mag, which he had carried while in law enforcement. It had a lovely plum color to the cylinder and frame and looked to be in very nice condition overall, with replacement Ruger wood grips. The host of the show looked it over after his worker-bee took it apart and they commented on the nice shape it was in except for that finish and how he was going to get rid of the plum color.
I turned the program off at that point; he was a fool in my opinion. That Ruger had character and history and had been well cared for; the people who brought it in probably didn't know any better, but the host, supposedly a firearms dealer, should have known better and told the family to keep it cleaned, oiled and enjoy an occasional range trip with some nice light 44 specials.
 
Before
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After
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Family would have been better off sending it to Ruger for the transfer bar...
 
"Some friend brought in their late dad's 1964 3 screw Ruger Super Blackhawk with squareback trigger guard and 7 1/2 inch barrel in 44 mag, which he had carried while in law enforcement."

Ok, yeah, whatever. 😉
 
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"Some friend brought in their late dad's 1964 3 screw Ruger Super Blackhawk with squareback trigger guard and 7 1/2 inch barrel in 44 mag, which he had carried while in law enforcement."

Ok, yeah, whatever. 😉
I was a Deputy Sheriff in Liberty County Texas back in the 70's-early 80's. Back then, we were required to furnish our own gun(s) as well as our own ammo, handcuffs, and leather goods. While most of our guys used more up to date equipment, the sidearm I chose was an OM Ruger .357. During my time of service there, my Sargent carried an old 38-40 Colt, and we had an investigator who carried a 44-Mag Uberti Cattleman....So me personally, I wouldn't doubt the man's story one bit....

....just sayin'.

DGW
 
I have no doubt that some lawmen carried single action revolvers on duty in that era. I have some doubts about carrying one with a 7 1/2" barrel in a holster on a belt while driving a vehicle.

Maybe he was a mounted officer.
 
The TV program showed a picture supposedly of him in uniform with the gun in a holster on his hip.
As for light 44 specials, easier on the hands/arms when plinking, especially for the two ladies who brought the gun in and easier on the gun.
 
I'm one that would refinish a gun and why not? They're not holy relics and if restored may be used for their intended purpose. Add to that (IMO) a restored gun just makes whatever samples are left untouched more valuable to collectors.

Anyway, I "restored" a 1990's S&W 629 pre-lock truck gun with "honest wear and character" so maybe in 50 years someone may be calling me a doofus for doing it? I can just imagine what they're calling those of us who modded 1960's and 1970's Colt 1911's for IPSC :)

Not sorry.


629-5_before_after_r.jpg
 
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I literally see nothing wrong having occurred.
An old, well used...And, therefore, of no interest to the the collector crowd, Super Blackhawk was refinished/modified. It has happened MANY times before.

I've encountered scores that have had barrels shortened, grip frames switched...(And, since I despise the SBH grip frame, have done so myself.)...As well as, refinished examples ranging from Bubba's "hold my beer & watch this!" To the expertly accomplished.

As far as the plum colors being lost, they WILL return some day...In 50-60 years, therefore, any and all of our "Ruger nerd" descendants will thoroughly enjoy them as we have, of that I have no doubt...😉

And, It only makes those many unmolested examples more valuable...🤑
 
I was a Deputy Sheriff in Liberty County Texas back in the 70's-early 80's. Back then, we were required to furnish our own gun(s) as well as our own ammo, handcuffs, and leather goods. While most of our guys used more up to date equipment, the sidearm I chose was an OM Ruger .357. During my time of service there, my Sargent carried an old 38-40 Colt, and we had an investigator who carried a 44-Mag Uberti Cattleman....So me personally, I wouldn't doubt the man's story one bit....

....just sayin'.

DGW
My nephew was a deputy sheriff in Kerr County, Texas starting 40 years ago.
He carried his 6" Ruger Security Six .357 as his duty weapon while with the sheriff's office.
When he went to work with the Kerrville PD, they issued Glock .40 pistols.
 
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