1959 all Steel 5.5 inch blue Blackhawk.

[jeager106]

A fellow has been after my 90+% condition M-28 6 inch for quaite a while.
Well he hit the a jackpot last night and brough me a nearly new 98+% 5.5 incher that looks unfired.
Do't know if I srewed myself on the even up trade or not.
I like the 5.5 inch Ruger that well.
According to Rugers sketchy information thee see many persons interesting in the short tube and they were quite popular for a time.
Five digit seial number begins with :1XXXX, condition is wondrful and looks like it;s never been fired but I'm sure it has been.
Anyone care to offer  an educated guess on values?

[Flash]

Depending on the last four digits of the serial number, your gun left the factory somewhere between 1963 and 1965. Call the Ruger records department and see if it letters. They will tell you how it was shipped as in configuration, barrel length, caliber, etc. Your gun is a Super Blackhawk, not just a Blackhawk. The Supers were shipped with the non-fluted cylinder and the steel grip frame. Your gun is definately a "Looker" but without the box, it's value goes down. If your gun is a 5 1/2", it's been modified. If your gun is actually a 6 1/2" and you mistakenly thought it was 5 1/2", it's rare. Call ruger before you attempt to get a value because a modified gun is going to be about 30% less to a collector. Just my opinion. And if you look at your grips, you have a silver eagle on the left side and a black eagle on the right. If I had to guess, I'd say that gun was definately not original. The grip screw escutcheons aren't matched either. One is silver and one is black.

[Rangr44]

Correct barrel length is measured from the muzzle to the face of the cylinder.

If the bbl length IS truely 5 1/2", you have a $350 3-screw/OM shooter SuperBlackhawk with mis-matched grips.

[jeager106]

"Old Model" Super Blackhawk - .44 Caliber (manufactured from 1959 to 1973)
"Old Model" Bearcat & Super Bearcat (manufactured from 1958 to 1974)
My serial number is 17899.
These early SBH were made in 5.5 inch from the factory, may still be offered in 5.5 inch.
You guys are sharp. I'd never have caught the different grips.
The fellow I got it from is a Ruger collector and I'll bet he has a ruger with grips just like that.
I'll see ie he can find and we can swap and at least have the same grips.
Agreed it ws likely shipped in 1964, and agree I have a nice all steel 5.5 inch 44 mag worth about $350.00.
I think I'll shoot the heck out of it.
You are a wealth of information. Thank you all so much.
Now that I know it isn't worth a million bucks I can laod up some ammo and shoot it.
The old geezer is supposed to have the box somewhere.
This is my 3rd 3 screw unualtered .44 mag, they being 7.5 inch.
Also have an old model Vaquero and Bisley B.H. both in .45 Colt.
I've got about 300 in it so am not hurt at all and have a 5.5 inch I've always wanted.

[Rangr44]

[These early SBH were made in 5.5 inch from the factory, may still be offered in 5.5 inch.]

The Old Model (3-screw) Super Blackhawks were NEVER made by Ruger in any other barrel lengths, other than 6 1/2" & 7 1/2".

NEW Model SBH's (2-pin) were also made in 4 5/8" , 5 1/2" & 10"  lengths.

Old Model Blackhawk .44 Mags (NOT Super Blackhawks), were also 6 1/2" 7 1/2" & 10" - but all had flat-top frames, w/o built-up rear sight ears and dragoon/square-back trigger guard.

.

[Flash]

[These early SBH were made in 5.5 inch from the factory, may still be offered in 5.5 inch.]

The Old Model (3-screw) Super Blackhawks were NEVER made by Ruger in any other barrel lengths, other than 6 1/2" & 7 1/2".

NEW Model SBH's (2-pin) were also made in 4 5/8" , 5 1/2" & 10"  lengths.

Old Model Blackhawk .44 Mags (NOT Super Blackhawks), were also 6 1/2" 7 1/2" & 10" - but all had flat-top frames, w/o built-up rear sight ears and dragoon/square-back trigger guard.

.

The 5 1/2" Super wasn't offered in 5 1/2" until 1987, the three screws were 6 1/2" which is extremely rare, and the 7 1/2. Those were the only two barrel lengths in the old model Supers. Your gun left the factory in 1964. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PS-SerialNumberHistory-RE.html#
It appears that both grip panels are walnut but the one with the silver eagle might be rosewood. The correct panels are varnished walnut, not oil finished. The front sight looks good. The shorter the barrel, the taller the sight. See if you can buy one of the medallions that match the other black eagle. There are plenty of Ruger collectors lurking on the net. You got a beautiful shooter for $300 anyway.

[jeager106]

I have the simulated Ivory grips comming.
Deal went like this:
Owner wanted xxxx dollars.
Buyer would only pay XXXX dollars less.
Owner took off Ivory grips, had a drawer full of wood grips and swapped wood for Ivory, hence the mixed grips.
I'm getting the Ivory tomoorow.
Are you all sure the 5.5 inch was not offered earlier than the 1980's?
I've seen three flattop 5.5 inch SBH on the e-auctions. Those were made in 1959 and 1960.
Tho not popular at all the 5.5 was cataloged but not a hot seller.
The lady I spoke I spoke with at Ruger says the 5.5 was cataloged but sales were very slow.

[Flash]

The "Flat Tops" weren't Super Blackhawks, they were Blackhawks and were changed to protected sights in 1962. There is a distinct difference between the two and you show pictures of a Super Blackhawk, not a Blackhawk. The grip frame, hammer, and cylinder on your gun are all from a Super Blackhawk, not a Blackhawk. I have the price sheet listings here in front of me for both the Blackhawk and the Super Blackhawk. The 5 1/2" barrel was never offered in either a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk Old Model. The 5 1/2" barrel wasn't offered until 1992 in the Blackhawk and 1987 in the Super Blackhawk. Now, the Single Six was offered in a 5 1/2" since the begining in 1953 but neither Blackhawks. The Smith was worth around twice what the Ruger is.

[jeager106]

Flash:
Did I read you right?
Are you saying a M-28 in 90% condition with Pachmyers is worth 700 bucks?
Holy cow crap I better hang on to my M-29 6 inch, M-19 inch, M-66 4 inch,
M-57 6 inch, even  my like new as unfired M-10 4 inch! Or my newest Smith a M-15 combat Maser piece the owner had been carrying around all day asking $400 and got no takers.
I cought him at the exit door, offered #375.00, he took it, I bought it and all were happy.
Gun is in 98% or better shape.

Here's what happened yesterday. Went to a gun show, you know, the usual fleece an rob crowd.
Well they have two ticket sellers and three guys inspecting firearms at the door sand the inspector guys check for loaded guns then put plastic electrical ties on the gun so theat they cannot be "accidently" loaded, etc. I like the concept.
However it gives the three guys at the door a chance to check and handle ALL incomming arms.
Close by are the resident "gun experts".
Well the plastic tie guy called "ol Willie over to look at the Ruger who was polite enough to ASK if the could handle the gun.
"Sure" says I. Mistake.
He pointed out that it's a SBH, not a B.H. measured the barrel, declared that someone bought this gun as a 6.5 inch, had the front sight moved back one inch, an inch taken off the barrel, had the whole thing very highly and expertly, polished, and reblued.
"'Ol Willie" proclaimed my poor ol' beat up Ruger was a parts gun someone salvaged from the junk yard and resurrected it with a nice blue job.
He pointed out the mismatched grips and in order to save me from loosing my home, car, other earthy possessions generously counted out 200 bucks in small bills somehow thinking I would rename my children after him or that 200 bucks impressed me.
It does not.
I back away from those ignorant thieves quickly.
I let a few other Ruger dealers look at the piece and learned some good onfor.
Is it true info?
Beats me?
The original SBH ws offered in 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 inch.
The bulk of the sales were the 7.5 inch with a few 10 inch thrown in.
The 5.5 inch was dropped after one or two years.
A batch that were supposed to be 7.5 inch were accidently cut to 6.5 inches and lef the factory in boxes marked 7.5 inch.
MOST people returned the shorter guns for the longer tubes.
Those that survived, were kept by owners ho like the shorter tube, kept the box, the gun in as new shape have Rugers worth hefty pocket change.
Oh. 'Bouth the 700 dollar M-28? I just checked Auction ArmsYou have 11 hours to become the very proud owner of a 10 inch M-28 with " slight" holster wear for a mere #625.00.
Starting price is $550.00 and there are, as we speak, not a solitary bid on this gem.
Now's your chance to jump on that one.
Wish I had the bucks so I could buy a real good gun for that kind of money.
I left the show after a small crowd of guys were throwing bids on my boxed, cased Ruger 5.5 inch.
Last offer was a mere $650.00.
I'll call Ruger again tomorrow. Maybe it was indeed a factory 5.5 inch introduced early on but didn't sell for dooley-squat and was pulled from the catalog.

[jeager106]

http://74.6.239.67/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=1960+ruger+handgun+catalog&fr=yfp-t-501&u=gunblast.com/Hamm_SuperBlackhawk1.htm&w=1960+ruger+handgun+handguns+catalog+catalogs+catalogue&d=Cfy_u0fiSBG3&icp=1&.intl=us

Here you can learn something new every day as I just did.
There were only three 10 Inch O.M. S.B.H. ever made.
Original SBH were offered ONLY in 7.5 inch configuration.
Anything else until the late 60's was either a special order or a mistake.
Like the several hundred that left the factory with 6.5 inch tubes instead of 7.5 inch tubes.
In the very early 60's Ruger began to super polish and blue the S.B.H. so that some people to this day think the early 60's to mid 70's guns were reblued. They are not.
Good article. You should read it.
Flasdh: Next time I run into a nice M-28 for anything under $400.00 you want me to grab it for ya?

[Flash]

Yea, please do. The blue book on a 95% 28 is around $900. jager106, if you ask for a value and folks give it to you, why do you question their apraisals? The model 28 you speak of with the 10" barrel is also modified. The S&W model 28 is also called the "Highway Patrolman". It was produced with a 4" or 6" barrel. There are a few variations( not barrel lengths) of that gun and the earliest in 98% condition will fetch around $1,200. If you're looking to hear from someone who will say you did good, alright then. You did good!! Now go shoot your parts gun.

[Hank08]

Flash, don't tell me things like that.  About 2 yrs. ago I had an unfired M28 in the box with all the papers, etc. 6" and sold it for $350.  I bought it for $200 so I thought I made a killing! Now I find out I was robbed.  I feel like the gal who went into the bank with a $100 bill and when told it was conterfiet she screamed," My gosh, I've been raped."
H08

[Flash]

Flash, don't tell me things like that.  About 2 yrs. ago I had an unfired M28 in the box with all the papers, etc. 6" and sold it for $350.  I bought it for $200 so I thought I made a killing! Now I find out I was robbed.  I feel like the gal who went into the bank with a $100 bill and when told it was conterfiet she screamed," My gosh, I've been raped."
H08

It depends on the year. A "Five screw" to the right collector will easily bring $900, in the box.

[jeager106]

Passed up a M-28 for $425, looked as new in the box, guy says it's unfired and he just might be right.
Nice 4 inch with Goncalo Alvaes grips. (never could spell that right).
If'n I flashed $400.00 I think it would have been mine.
I followed a fellow aropund for half an hour that was carrying a standard AR of some make.
I could not believe it when he came down to 700.00 and no dealer would show any interest and dealers with AR's were turning them over like hot cakes at a church breafast for a grand for the cheapest gun.
I finally asked to look at it when we got away from the crowd.
He wanted to see my $1400.00 h-bar Stag Arms target/varmint version and remarked that it was heavy.
I told him I came to the show mainly to pick up a standard upper but the dealers wouldn't get off of $800 bucks at the cheapest.
He looked at me and said, "hey brother, I need the dough, you need  light upper. Why not give me $750 for my whole gun?"
Of course I did it.
On the way home I stopped to pick up the #2 of the "matched pair" of 5.5 inch Ruger SBH that were never made according to some of you.
Problem was the guy would not get off $500 bucks for it.
I showed him my new standard PWA AR15. He fell in love.
Soooooooo, he kept the AR, gave me the $250.00 difference and the Ruger 5.5 inch.
Now I have both and doubt I have much over $250 each in them.
Sold a case of Wolf .223 FMJ to a really nice older man who deals only in ammo.
I sold it to him for $300 bucks and he was mighty greatfull.
He can make some money now and under cut the competition.
I bought it a month ago at a biker swap meet for 200 bucks still sealed. It was copper jacket, lead core, not copper washed bi-metal core.
So somehow I ended up with both those 5.5 inch hi luster SBH that were never made.
My only quandry is how much to ask for them?
I turned down $750 for one yesterday.
Maybe if I can I'll get 1500 for the pair and buy a dandy new AR type with the rails so I can hang a fishing rod on it and a night light next time I go cat fishing.

[Flash]

Join this forum and advertise them there. These guys would love to hear about your Supers.
 http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/index.php

[jeager106]

Ohhhhhhhh, no. I 've had enough from the " I know everything about Rugers crowd" for one week-end.
Ruger never, not once, cataloged a 5.5 inch SBH.
The Ruger custom shop, however, would make one up for you.
And that is exactly what happened to these two guns.
The one with the low serial number was shipped Dec. of '64, the one I got tonight is a least five years NEWER.
How is that possible.
Two Detroit cops were life long partners in muder city and both gun nuts.
One did two yeras ago, the other moved "home" which is this real rural area of N.E. Ohio I live in.
The low numbered gun was done as a custom order.
Years later the other copper ordered one just like it.
That is the true skinny I just detectived today.
Indeed Early SBH were blued to compete with Colt and they did a great job of it.
There are differences, tho minor in my two 5.5 inchers. Both have the Royal blue and fake Ivory grips.
However the older has a different configured front sight than the newer. Prodcution change along the way.
So these were never catalog items. Your buds at Ruger.com may not know as much as you or I so I'm done pissing.
I KNOW what I have and they are as beautiful as they are unique.
About the HighwayPatrolman. It wa a favorite carry gun of Ken Waters when he ws Auxilury Captain of Police.
M-28 NEVER have brought good money in this area.
Right now you can't touch a good M-19 for under 600.
Rugers have always been less expensive on the used market in this area than Smiths.
Some farm country is all Chevy, others, all Ford and don't get caught driving a Dodge.
Ohio Illinois, Iowa is absolutely John Deere country.
See what I mean.
Know what a M-10 shotun is?
It's a flimsy old pump Remington  shogun worth maybe 75 bucks if the safety works.
Most don't.
I can go to any turkey shoot range with any M10 Remington and pull 300 bucks from it.
Granted the new owner will have the i.q. of a road kill and his unshaven face will be streaked with Mail Pouch juice, but if it's a Remington M-10 he'll give up 300 bucks.
Around here Ruger rifles are about the worse thing you can show up in camp with.
Better be a Marlin 30-30 than a Ruger rifle.
Speaking of Marlin 336 rifles. I have about 6 at any given time. (one is a 1950, another 1951)
Some only a season old.
I never, ever, paid more than 150 bucks for a real nice clean one.
Yet it's still king of the woods for whitetail in West Virginia.
Pa.? 760 Gamemaster pump in 30-06, or better yet .35 Remington.
So I'm not kidding about values being location specific.
In autos it's Sigs, Glocks suck, I carry a HK USP in .45
(I own a Sig also)
I'll betcha a could pick up a dual holster cowboy rig, put an Ivory 5.5 in each holster and sell the rig for an honest $2500.00.

What I am going to do is see if I can get letters of confirmation on these two 5.5 inch SBH.

[Flash]

Ohhhhhhhh, no. I 've had enough from the " I know everything about Rugers crowd" for one week-end.
Ruger never, not once, cataloged a 5.5 inch SBH.
The Ruger custom shop, however, would make one up for you.
And that is exactly what happened to these two guns.
The one with the low serial number was shipped Dec. of '64, the one I got tonight is a least five years NEWER.
How is that possible.


What I am going to do is see if I can get letters of confirmation on these two 5.5 inch SBH.

Yea, call their custom shop.........that's it!!

[Ken ONeill]

I don't know what the truth is with either of these 2 revolvers. About a blue-billion of them have received some after-market modifications. However, I have learned one thing in my life with respect to SR&Co : "Never say never with Rugers". They did lots of seemingly inexplicable stuff.
Until 9 months ago, I would have said that everyone knows that Ruger never made a stainless SRM (.357 Maximum). Except they did...2 or perhaps 3 of them. One was auctioned from the Eatate of Stan Terhune last year.