Ruger 3-Screw Old Model Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum SA Revolver, 1964
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB250804MF038
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Super Blackhawk
Serial Number: 16788
Year of Manufacture: 1964/ C&R
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded Single-Action 6 Shot Revolver.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “16788”. The left side of the frame “RUGER BLACKHAWK .44 MAGNUM CAL.”. The side of the barrel is marked with the Ruger Southport address and a safety warning.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a black serrated ramped blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a micro adjustable square notch pinned to the frame.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut panels with silver Ruger medallions at the top. There are light scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate at about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Cylinders: One 6rd .44 Magnum fluted cylinder.
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there is stubborn lead fouling throughout the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its original metal finish. There are small scratches and faint thinning along the leading edges and near the bore. The cylinder has a faint turn line. The hammer has a light patina and the frame has turned to a light plum color. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are sharp. The pins are unmarred. Overall, this revolver rates in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions as intended. There is minimal side to side play of the cylinders while in lockup. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. No transfer bar, (4-click hammer).
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This revolver comes with its factory box and owner’s manual.
Our Assessment: This 1964 Ruger Old Model Super Blackhawk chambered in .44 Magnum is a textbook example of Ruger’s early venture into big-bore single-action revolvers—a true “3-screw” Super Blackhawk from the first few years of production. Built during a time when .44 Magnum revolvers were still something of a rarity, this revolver helped solidify Ruger’s reputation for building rugged, magnum-capable wheelguns. It features the desirable 7.5” barrel, fully adjustable sights, fluted cylinder, and retains its original pre-1973 action with the traditional four-click hammer and half-cock loading notch—unconverted and just as it left the factory nearly six decades ago.
The revolver retains about 97% of its original blued finish, with mild edge wear, a faint turn line on the cylinder, and some attractive plum toning on the frame—a common trait for Ruger firearms of this era. The bore remains very bright with sharp rifling and only stubborn lead fouling, earning a solid 8.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The original walnut grips with Ruger medallions show honest wear but no cracks or chips. Mechanically, the revolver is tight, with minimal cylinder play and crisp lockup. For collectors of early magnum revolvers, or enthusiasts of classic single-action power, this C&R-eligible 1964 .44 Magnum Blackhawk is a fine piece of Ruger history. -R.E.
