Ruger New-Model Blackhawk Bisley 7.5” .357 Mag 6-Shot Revolver & Box, 1986
SOLD FOR: $1,130.00
LSB#: LSB260706SK003
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: New Model Blackhawk Bisley (00331)
Serial Number: 36-80052
Year of Manufacture: 1986 / Modern
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded 6-Shot Single-Action Revolver with Ejector.
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked, “RUGER .357 MAGNUM CAL. NEW MODEL BLACKHAWK”. The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number, “36-80052”. The barrel is marked with the Ruger Southport address. The cylinder has the Bisley scene.
Barrel Length: 7.5”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade pinned to the barrel. The rear sight is a micro adjustable square notch leaf in a base pinned to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The Bisley grips are two-piece smooth rosewood panels with silver Ruger medallions on either side. There are minimal handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate at Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Gold Toned Wash, Chrome
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some moderate stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10. The chrome finish is inside the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a crisp turn line on the cylinder. There are light handling marks throughout. The action has faint wear. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are undamaged. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Excellent condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Original Ruger cardboard shipping box & yellow box, & paperwork.
Our Assessment: The Ruger New Model Blackhawk Bisley is a distinctive variation of Ruger’s long-running single-action revolver family, combining the strength and adjustable sights of the New Model Blackhawk with the more vertically oriented Bisley grip frame, lowered hammer spur, and reshaped trigger geometry. In .357 Magnum, the 7.5″ configuration gives the revolver a long sight radius and traditional target or field profile while retaining Ruger’s transfer-bar safety system and robust coil-spring lockwork. Serial 36-80052 places this example in 1986 production, and its underlying configuration is consistent with the factory Model 00331 .357 Bisley. This revolver remains in Excellent condition as refinished, retaining approximately 99% of its current plated and gold-toned finish. The exterior shows only light handling marks, while the cylinder carries a crisp turn line and the action shows faint operational wear. The screw heads remain sharp, the pins are undamaged, and the markings are clear. The smooth rosewood grip panels show minimal handling wear and remain free of chips or cracks, rating in Excellent condition. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, though moderate stubborn fouling remains present, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. The chrome treatment extends through the bore, reflecting the extent of the later refinish. Mechanically, the action functions correctly.
For collectors of Ruger single-action revolvers, the .357 Magnum Bisley is an appealing configuration in its own right, and this example is made especially distinctive by its extensive custom finish treatment. The later chrome and gold-toned refinish materially changes the revolver from its original blued factory appearance, so its appeal is more custom and presentation-oriented than originality-driven. Even so, the correct 1986 Bisley configuration, 7.5″ barrel, strong bore, clean grips, original shipping and yellow boxes, and accompanying paperwork make this a striking and well-preserved custom example of the New Model Blackhawk Bisley. -R.E.