John Taffin Ruger 3-Screw Super Blackhawk .44 mag 7.5″ SA Revolver, 1971
SOLD FOR: $1,275.00
LSB#: LSB260521SS020
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Super Blackhawk
Serial Number: 80-36019
Year of Manufacture: 1971 / C&R
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded Single-Action Revolver w/ Ejector.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “80-36019”. The left side of the frame is marked, “RUGER SUPER BLACKHAWK .44 MAG. CAL.” with the Ruger logo. The side of the barrel is marked with the Ruger Southport address.
Barrel Length: 7.5″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a black serrated ramped blade fixed to a barrel mounted base. The rear sight is a black square-notch leaf in a base pinned to the top strap adjustable for elevation and windage.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two piece smooth walnut panels with silver Ruger medallions on either side. There are light pressure dents and scratches throughout. There are no cracks, but there is a chip on the right panel. Overall these panels rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Cylinders: One Unfluted 6rd .44 Magnum cylinder.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some stubborn fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are light scratches and small nicks throughout along with moderate spots of thinning. The frame/grip frame & barrel have a light plum patina. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled and the pins are undamaged. The markings are somewhat blurry and filled in. This revolver is in overall Very Good + condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. No transfer bar, (4-Click hammer.)
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity.
Our Assessment: The Ruger Super Blackhawk is one of the most recognizable and respected American single-action revolvers, introduced in 1959 specifically to handle the then-new .44 Remington Magnum cartridge. Built on Ruger’s robust large-frame design, the Super Blackhawk combined exceptional strength with traditional Old West styling, featuring an unfluted cylinder, adjustable sights, and the classic four-click action found on early “Old Model” revolvers. This 1971-produced example predates Ruger’s transfer-bar redesign, retaining the desirable original lockwork favored by many collectors and single-action enthusiasts. Adding further appeal, this revolver comes from the renowned John Taffin Collection and includes a Certificate of Authenticity documenting its provenance.
This revolver remains in Very Good Plus condition as refinished, retaining approximately 97% of its applied blued finish. The metal surfaces exhibit light scratches, scattered small nicks, moderate thinning, and the characteristic light plum patina present on the frame, grip frame, and barrel. The screw heads range from absent to lightly tooled, the pins remain undamaged, and the markings are somewhat blurred and partially filled from the refinishing process. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, showing no erosion and only stubborn fouling, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. The walnut grip panels display light pressure dents and scratches with a small chip on the right panel, but remain free of cracks and rate in Very Good condition. The revolver functions correctly and retains its original four-click action without a transfer-bar safety. Accompanied by its John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity, this is an attractive example of an early three-screw Super Blackhawk with desirable collector provenance. -R.E.