Type 1 357 Flattop

[JCW64]

These early Type 1 357 Flattop Blackhawks are my favorite of all the 3 screw Rugers. This package is pretty complete but I thought the serial number was really neat, 3557. This gun was bought at Weatherby's in Los Angeles in April 1956. When I purchased it the original bill of sale was with it but it got misplaced when the gun was packaged for shipping. Luckily I did have a picture of the receipt on my hard drive. The line by the front screw is a copper lightning strike.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Very, very nice.

Thanks for sharing.

:mrgreen:

 

[golferboy426]

what's a copper lightening strike??

 

[Ale-8(1)]

It's a discoloration in the bluing, similar to the Plum coloration we are all familiar with. They evidence as irregular lines, sometines jagged, sometimes not.

These streaks can run several shades, some being plumish, others almost a gold shade. Some are rather extensive and sorta resemble lightning strikes, thus the nomenclature.

 

[golferboy426]

Sure looks like a crack, not saying it is I've never noticed one before. I'd love to see a liquid penetrant picture. Evidently a known occurrence but I'd still love a dye test

 

[gunsbam69]

Beautiful :mrgreen:

 

[contender]

Jealously alert!

Nice package!

 

[Robb Barnes]

Like you sir the type 1's are my favorite of the flat tops. Yours is in nicer shape than the one I recently was able to trade into but even with age and patina, they are still classic six guns.

 

[JCW64]

Here's a Single Six in the sunlight showing the example of copper/plum streaks a little better.They range from specks to "lightning streaks". There are also some on the frame near the loading gate.

 

[Mag-force]

Sweet

 

[Don Lovel]

A bunch of those have been converted to 44 Specials or 45 Colts over the years I bet, I sure like that frame size, wish I would have hung on to some of the ones I played with back in the day, 357's were everywhere cheap for awhile in pawnshops in Oklahoma

 

[Robb Barnes]

Don, don't forget us fruitcakes who like to convert these old 357's into 41 Specials and 41 Mags along with the 44 Specials and 45 Colts. The consummate platform for the mid frame conversion project.

 

[contender]

Robb, we don't forget you good folks who convert such fine guns. We may cringe a little when we see an original early FT sporting custom work a bit,,, but we also smile knowing the values of our un-molested ones just keep arisin'!

 

[Lee Martin]

Very nice and clean for that vintage. Thanks for the photos.

 

[SteveRuger]

Nice Flat Top!!