The V-Hawk

[Lance0812]

Yesterday I asked whether I had a collectible, since this seems to be a cross between a Blackhawk and a Vaquero. A call to Ruger elicits only that it was made in 1972 and is ModelBKH-45X - a convertible, though I didn't get the extra cylinder.

I intend to pursue this by calling Ruger's attention to this thread but in the meantime I'm posting the pics you all asked for and I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Could be the only V-Hawk in the world. :D

 

[gunman42782]

My guess is a gunsmith turned your Blackhawk into this configuration. Hamilton Bowen and others are fully capable of this. People used to have this done before Ruger came out with the Vaquero.

 

[StanMemTn]

Isn't this essentially what Joe Bowman did?

Nice "Old Model 'Vaqueros' !"

 

[CraigC]

Ruger didn't build it that way. Nice to see a real Old Model "Vaquero" for a change. ;)

 

[J Miller]

Gunsmith modification for sure. Whoever did it did a nice job, but there's nothing collectible here.

I had a chance to handle and shoot two similar OM .45s done by Cosby Custom guns in southern IN several years ago. Really nice.

Joe

 

[BIgMuddy]

A friend of mine has one too...not sure who did the work but it too is a convertible and he has both cylinders. The work on his is very well done. He bought it several years ago from a gun shop in Tombstone AZ.

BTW Lance, he too lives in St. Louis.

Dan

 

[5of7]

You can see on the top of the frame that the welding material didn't take the blue the same way that the metal of the frame did.

 

[Motex66]

Very nicely done top strap. As to it it being noncollectable. I believe there are lots of people collecting custom guns.

The problem is you have to have supporting paper work. Without proof it is just a nice example.

Even without the grips I would say it is worth more than a new in the box large frame Vaquero.

This conversion is still being done for cowboy shooters. Shooters who don't want the Ruger ring, and want all the clicks of a single action

John.

 

[contender]

5of7 sees the same thing I did. It is an aftermarket gunsmith job. A nice one, but aftermarket.

 

[Lance0812]

Even without the grips I would say it is worth more than a new in the box large frame Vaquero.



John.

Thinking of trying to trade for a NMV - mainly because I prefer the 4 5/8 barrel. Also love satin stainless.

 

[BearStopper]

Does it shoot to point of aim? If so it would make someone a nice little shooter Old Model. Nothing wrong with fixed sights as long as they are adjusted properly from the factory or custom shop.

 

[Motex66]

Lance0812 I'm still in TX till after Easter. Maybe we could get together on a trade if you still have it then.

If something else comes along sooner don't hold up on a deal because of me.

I have place just West of St. Louis past Six Flags.

If something else comes along sooner don't hold up on a deal because of me.

I would still like to meet another forum member.
We could go do some shooting hit a gunshop or two.

pm follows

John

 

[CraigC]

That's rather common on the discoloration. It usually works out better to case color a frame that's been welded on, rather than blue it. Seems to blend better.