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Ruger .44 New Blackhawk cylinder matching

1trigger1trigger Member Posts: 62 ✭✭
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
It's time I put this handgun up for sale, but I want to make sure the cylinders are correct. This is a New Blackhawk in excellent condition, with original box, and even the little red felt bag for the second cylinder, but the little box that that little red bag goes into reads "Note: The number on the cylinder must be identical with last 3 digits of serial number." For one thing, how can "the number", a singular digit, be identical to the "last 3 digits"? One digit cannot be identical to three, not even with the new math, I don't think. The only engraving on both cylinders is an "S" on one end and a "7" on the other. There doesn't even seem to be any markings to tell which cylinder is which caliber. Any ideas? Thanks
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Comments

  • ithaca4meithaca4me Member Posts: 538 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The ones I saw had three numbers lightly marked on the end of the cylinder. muzzle end (i do not know if that is stated correctly the non loading end.) and these numbers were the same as the last 3 digits of the serial number.
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  • 1trigger1trigger Member Posts: 62 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are some very rough, very faint marks in other places, on the same end of the cylinder, but nothing legible. I only feel that these cylinders match this weapon because they were mounted on it and packaged with it. As I try to sell the Blackhawk, I'm sure the issue will come up and may distract from the value. What do you think? As far as what caliber each cylinder is, I guess it's dependent on what the box say's and what fits, sound correct? Thanks
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  • moonshinemoonshine Member Posts: 8,471
    edited November -1
    call or email Ruger they will be able to help you.
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  • gskyhawkgskyhawk Member Posts: 4,773
    edited November -1
    Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk in 44mag never came as a convertable , if it has 2 cylinders it would have been sent back to ruger to have the 2nd cylinder made in 44-40 and should have the last 3 digits of the serial number stamped on the front on the cylinder (muzzle end )

    what is stamped on the left side of the frame ? what is marked on the end of the box ? and is there and thing on the box the cylindr came in ?
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  • 1trigger1trigger Member Posts: 62 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My mistake in the initial heading, this is the .45 New Model Blackhawk 7.5" barrel manufactured in 1974. The other gun I am selling is a .44 and I confused the two. Even though the box does not say "convertible", it obviously is, so I'm wondering if the box should say that, or is it just a given? The one cylinder takes a .45 ACP round nice and tight, but the second cylinder lets that same round fall half way thru. Is that about the difference between the .45 ACP and the .45 Colt that these cylinders are suppose to be? Thanks
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  • GeriGeri Member Posts: 2,100 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have the 45/45acp ruger blackhawk New model. There are no markings on the cylinders. I don't know when ruger stopped etching the last three didgits on the cylinders, you might ask the ruger forum.
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  • 1trigger1trigger Member Posts: 62 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, and that's what the markings on each of these cylinders looks like, a poor, freehand attempt at etching numbers. I now believe that the rough-shaped "S" is actually a "5" and with the other "7" makes two digits of the serial number and I guess that will have to do. If Ruger decided the cylinder engravings weren't necessary at some point then they must believe that, from that point on, the cylinders are all interchangeable with no alignment issues, sound correct?
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  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886 ✭
    edited November -1
    No. Ruger is very liability conscious. An out of time cylinder is a no-no. No way to insure proper fit/timing to a particular frame than to have ruger hand-fit the cylinder to the gun.

    That they stopped pencil-scribing the serNo is incidental. Joe
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  • 2xbyu2xbyu Member Posts: 298 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    1trigger,

    The early new model 45 colt/45 ACP convertible boxes were not marked with the BN45X marking, only the plain cardboard shipper that the original box was shipped in was stamped with the convertible designation (X) after the BN-45. Later, when the guns were shipped in the plastic cases the model designation was added to the sticky end label.

    The end SN markings are etched with an electric-pencil, very shabby job on some. You might be able to see all 3 with a magnifying glass. On the ratchet end there should be a "S" stamped with a punch. That is Rugers proof mark.

    Also, Ruger did make a 44 magnum/44-40 Blackhawk convertible, model # S4440. It is a true Super Blackhawk, but it is roll marked "Ruger .44 CAL. CONVERTIBLE NEW MODEL BLACKHAWK" They were only made for one year 1990, and only about 1200 made. Pretty scarce gun.

    Hope this helps.
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