Ruger Blackhawk S38X Buckeye Special 10mm/.38-40 Revolver & Box, 1990
SOLD FOR: $1,137.00
LSB#: LSB251003DB014
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: New Model Blackhawk S38X Special Model Revolver (06110)
Serial Number: 611-04149
Year of Manufacture: 1990 / Modern
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester / 10mm Auto
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded 6-Shot Single-Action Convertible Revolver.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “611-04149”. The left side of the frame “RUGER .38-40 & 10MM CONV. 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″
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 walnut panels with silver Ruger medallions. There are no handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Cylinders: One 6rd .38-40 and one .10mm Auto 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 turn line in both the .38-40 and 10mm cylinder. The 10mm cylinder has light burn marks. There are little to no handling marks throughout. The screw heads are sharp and the pins undamaged. This revolver 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 10mm Auto Cylinder, original box & shipping box, paperwork.
Our Assessment: The Ruger Buckeye Special Blackhawk in .38-40 Winchester and 10mm Auto represents one of the most distinctive and thoughtfully conceived distributor-exclusive revolvers Ruger ever produced. Introduced in 1990, the S38X Buckeye Special was built on the New Model Blackhawk platform and identified by the leaf-and-acorn emblem on the topstrap, marking it as part of the limited Buckeye series. These revolvers were produced in relatively small numbers and paired uncommon chamberings with Ruger’s proven single-action design, resulting in a model that appealed equally to shooters and collectors. The 6.5 inch barrel and adjustable sights give the revolver a purposeful, balanced profile well suited to precision shooting. The convertible chambering is central to this model’s appeal. The .38-40 Winchester cartridge dates back to the late 19th century and was widely used in both revolvers and lever-action rifles, valued for its mild recoil and accuracy. The inclusion of a 10mm Auto cylinder brought the design firmly into the modern era, offering a high-pressure, flat-shooting cartridge that gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In a strong single-action revolver, both cartridges perform exceptionally well. This example’s bright bore with sharp rifling indicates minimal use, and the cylinders show only faint turn lines and light burn marks consistent with limited firing.
Buckeye Special Blackhawks have earned a strong reputation for quality, originality, and scarcity, making them highly desirable among Ruger collectors. This revolver’s excellent finish retention, clean markings, crisp mechanics, and complete package with both cylinders, original box, shipping box, and paperwork place it among the better preserved examples encountered today. As a convertible single-action revolver that bridges classic and modern cartridges, it stands as a standout example of Ruger’s willingness to experiment thoughtfully while maintaining the durability and craftsmanship for which the Blackhawk is known. -R.E.
