Ruger Blackhawk S32X Buckeye Special Convertible Revolver .32-20/.32 H&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025.01
LSB#: LSB251003DB011
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: New Model Blackhawk S32X Special Model Revolver (06101)
Serial Number: 610-01982
Year of Manufacture: 1988
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester / .32 H&R Magnum
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded 6-Shot Single-Action Convertible Revolver.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “610-01982”. The left side of the frame “RUGER .32 CAL. CONVERTIBLE NEW MODEL BLACKHAWK”. The side of the barrel is marked with the Ruger Southport address and a safety warning. The topstrap has a leaf and acorn emblem. The cylinders are marked with their respective calibers.
Barrel Length: 6 5/8″
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 high figure smooth walnut panels with silver Ruger medallions. There are minimal handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Cylinders: One 6rd .32-20 and one .32 H&R Magnum cylinder.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there is some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a faint crisp turn line in the .32-20. There are faint handling marks throughout. The screw heads are sharp and the pins undamaged. This pistol is in overall Excellent condition.
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.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Spare .32 H&R Mag Cylinder, original box, paperwork.
Our Assessment: The Ruger Buckeye Special Blackhawk occupies a unique and highly respected niche within Ruger’s single-action lineage. Produced in limited numbers in 1988, the S32X Buckeye Special was conceived as a distributor-exclusive model that blended traditional single-action revolver styling with uncommon and historically significant calibers. Built on the New Model Blackhawk platform, it retained Ruger’s modern transfer-bar safety system while showcasing classic lines, a 6 5/8 inch barrel, and the distinctive Buckeye leaf-and-acorn emblem on the topstrap. These revolvers were intentionally produced in small quantities, and their scarcity has made them particularly desirable among Ruger collectors. The convertible chambering is central to the Buckeye Special’s appeal. The .32-20 Winchester cartridge dates back to the late 19th century and was widely used in both rifles and revolvers, prized for its mild recoil and excellent accuracy. The addition of a second cylinder for .32 H&R Magnum brought the platform into the modern era, offering higher pressure capability and improved ballistic performance. This example’s bright bore with sharp rifling reflects careful use, and the presence of both marked cylinders underscores its originality and versatility.
Buckeye Special revolvers have earned a strong reputation as both shooters and collectibles, representing one of Ruger’s most interesting limited-run single-action offerings. This example’s exceptional condition, strong finish, crisp markings, and complete package with box, paperwork, and spare cylinder place it among the more desirable surviving specimens. For collectors focused on Ruger distributor exclusives or uncommon caliber single-actions, this revolver stands as a prime example of late-20th-century Ruger craftsmanship and thoughtful design. -R.E.
