Ruger 3-Screw Old Model Blackhawk .45 Colt 7.5” Barrel SA Revolver 1971 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB250804MF043
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Blackhawk
Serial Number: 45-07542
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded Single-Action Revolver w/ Ejector.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “45-07542”. The left side of the frame “RUGER BLACKHAWK .45 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 the barrel. The rear sight is a black square-notch leaf in a base pinned to the top strap and is adjustable for elevation and windage.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood panels with silver Ruger phoenix medallions. There is minimal handling wear throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good to Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Cylinders: One Fluted 6rd .45 Colt cylinder.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some light stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are faint handling marks throughout with some small. There is a faint turn line on the cylinder The screw heads are mostly sharp and the pins undamaged. This pistol is in overall Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinders lock up with light side to side play. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. This revolver has no transfer bar conversion (4-click hammer).
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Ruger cardboard box.
Our Assessment: This is a classic Ruger Old Model Blackhawk chambered in .45 Colt, manufactured in 1971 just before the end of the 3-screw era in 1973. These early Blackhawks carried forward the Old West spirit with a robust modern frame and adjustable target sights, combining cowboy styling with real-world shootability. Built on the larger frame size introduced for .44 Magnum, this .45 Colt variant features a 7.5″ barrel for improved sight radius and balance, making it a favorite among hunters and single-action revolver enthusiasts. With no transfer bar conversion, this example retains the original four-click hammer and half-cock loading sequence—exactly how Ruger shipped it in the early 1970s. The .45 Colt cartridge, originally developed in 1872 for the U.S. Army’s Colt Single Action Army, remains one of the most iconic and versatile big-bore revolver rounds. Known for its manageable recoil and excellent stopping power in both original black powder and modern smokeless loadings, it found continued life in cowboy action shooting, hunting, and defense roles well into the 20th century. This Blackhawk’s bore is bright with sharp rifling and light fouling only, rating 9.5/10. The revolver retains roughly 98% of its original blue finish with only light edge wear and a faint turn line on the cylinder, and the wood grips show minimal use with attractive Ruger medallions intact.
Old Model Blackhawks in this configuration and condition are becoming harder to find, especially unconverted examples with the original lockwork. For collectors, cowboy action shooters, or big-bore revolver fans, this 1971 C&R-eligible Blackhawk represents one of Ruger’s most enduring and shootable revolvers. It comes complete with its period cardboard Ruger box, making it a standout package for display or range use. -R.E.
