Ruger Pre-Warning 3-Screw Flat-Top Blackhawk .357 Magnum Revolver, 1956 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1025
LSB#: 210717KG10
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Blackhawk
Serial Number: 4084
Year of Manufacture: 1957 (RUGER Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single Action Side-Gate Loaded Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked with “STURM, RUGER & CO. / SOUTHPORT. CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “RUGER .357 CAL. / BLACKHAWK”, the company’s phoenix logo, and “®”. The right side of the frame under the cylinder is marked with the serial number “4084”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “S”. The rear sight tang is marked “Micro” in cursive script.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a textured ramped blade integral to a base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a height-adjustable square-notch leaf in a base pinned to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece black checkered polymer panels, each with inset Ruger phoenix logo medallions at the top. The smooth borders have intermittent minor nicks and compressions. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well-defined. Overall, the grips rate in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued and Black Alloy
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is well-defined. There is no erosion, but there is minor stubborn fouling throughout.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is light thinning/holster wear on the left side of the barrel near to the muzzle. In addition to this, the barrel has a few light nicks along the top. There is minor thinning on the edges of the topstrap. The frame has taken on a distinct plum hue. The recoil shield and loading gate have small clusters of minor surface oxidation. The bottom of the grip frame has a small scuff through the finish. The cylinder has a faint turn line intermittently through the finish as well as scattered minor nicks and scuffs. The screws have minor toolmarks with sharp slots. Overall, this revolver rates in Very-to-Fine Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This old-model Blackhawk has not had a transfer bar installed, it is still in its original configuration. The cylinder locks with minor play on each chamber. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This Blackhawk includes its original black and yellow box with the serial number hand-scribed on the end-label, as well as the manual.
Our Assessment: The Ruger Blackhawk has been in continuous production since 1955 and has been widely adopted by single-action shooters for going on four generations now. It has been redesigned, revised, and updated constantly, and has been chambered for all manner of cartridges. This example is from the second year of production, 1956, and has all the hallmarks of an early-days Blackhawk: three screws on the frame, a flat topstrap, and a serrated ejector rod lever. Its previous owner did, however, have the late-era transfer bar installed (safety first, kids!) This revolver has hardly any significant wear, and the bore and mechanics are in great shape. These early Ruger revolvers are creeping into collectibility, and any revolver enthusiast would do well to place a bid for the chance to own this one. Good luck and happy bidding!