RUGER Pre-Warning 3-Screw Blackhawk BKH-44X .45 Colt ACP SA Revolver 1972

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Sold For $1825.00

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: “Old Model” Blackhawk (BKH-44X)

Serial Number: 45-18493

Year of Manufacture: 1972 (RUGER Serial Number Lookup)

Caliber: .45 Long Colt and .45 ACP cylinders are included.

Action Type: Single Action Revolver With Side-Gate Loaded Cylinder

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked with Ruger’s two-line address. The left side of the frame below the cylinder is marked with “RUGER BLACKHAWK / .45 CALIBER”, a Ruger trademark, and “®”. The right side of the frame below the cylinder is marked with the serial number, “45-18493”. The rear face of each cylinder is marked “S”.

Barrel Length: 4.625” (4 5/8”)

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade integral to a base that is screwed to the top of the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable square-notch leaf in a base that is pinned to the top strap.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood panels, each with Ruger trademark medallions. The lower edges of both panels have intermittent minor nicks and shallow dings. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued Barrel, Frame, and Cylinders with Black Alloy Grip Frame and Guard.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but a few spots of stubborn fouling persist in the grooves.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. Tell-tale holster wear in the form of thinning can be seen on either side of the barrel at the tip. The barrel itself has scattered minor nicks, some through the finish—a more distinct pattern of nicks can be seen on the left side of the barrel under the sight base. Minor thinning persists on many edges of the frame with the top strap having several minor nicks through the finish along with a series of minor scuffs on the right side around the sight pin.  Minor nicks through the finish can be seen on the guard, and the grip frame has intermittent minor nicks and drag lines. Of the two cylinders, the ACP cylinder has most of the wear with a distinct turn line and scattered minor nicks, some through the finish. The Long Colt cylinder has just scattered minor nicks and a very faint turn line. The screw heads have minor tool marks. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Each cylinder has just minor play at each stop. A transfer bar has NOT been installed. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This Blackhawk includes a product-matching black and yellow Ruger box and a red felt pouch for the secondary cylinder. An additional pair of grips is included, please see the photo gallery for details.

Our Assessment: The creation of the Blackhawk revolver was important to Bill Ruger Sr. and preoccupied him to such a degree that in a letter to Outdoor Life’s Jack O’Connor he wrote: “I am really very anxious to get this magnum gun started… and until it has been made a reality I cannot get on with a couple of other projects I have already begun…” The Blackhawk revolver was more a full-sized Colt than its predecessor, the Single-Six, and its development occurred on the heels of demand for a powerful single-action revolver chambered for .357 Magnum.

The Ruger Blackhawk platform has long been praised as one of the strongest actions ever made for a single-action revolver and this “old” Model, made in 1972, is no exception. It is in Fine condition with minor wear, a bright bore with sharp rifling, and strong mechanics. This one with its 4 5/8” barrel would be great for target shooting.

If you’re looking for a classic, robust, and well-made revolver look no further, with this one you can’t go wrong. With cylinders for both .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt, the winning bidder will have a versatile shooter.