Blackhawk 3 screw help

Andy1 · August 11, 2019, 04:34 PM

I recently inherited a Ruger Blackhawk .357 with the serial number 123067 and I'm trying to find it's production year. I've typed it into Ruger's serial number search, but it comes up as number not found. Can anybody help? What's the estimated value in good condition?

ruger357w · August 11, 2019, 05:04 PM

I'm gonna say it's a 1968. Has it been converted?

Andy1 · August 11, 2019, 05:13 PM

Converted to what? I'm gonna say no because this gun sat in a safe for 30 years.

ruger357w · August 11, 2019, 05:23 PM

Converted to the transfer bar safety like the new models have. I have an old one but it was sent in to ruger for that upgrade. I would leave it original if it hasn't been

Andy1 · August 11, 2019, 05:46 PM

How can I tell if it's been converted? I have a 2 screw SBH and a Single Ten to compare it with

ruger357w · August 11, 2019, 05:52 PM

If you cock your single 10 and look in it you'll see a flat bar in front of the firing pin. Unconverted would just have a firing pin end sticking out.

Andy1 · August 11, 2019, 06:04 PM

Looks like no conversion.

The BH and my SBH

ruger357w · August 11, 2019, 06:11 PM

Definitely not converted. If you carry it loaded make sure you leave one round out of the cylinder. The firing pin will rest on the primer of the round if you dont. Nice revolvers. I love my rugers.

Andy1 · August 11, 2019, 06:28 PM

How much are these old models worth? It's not in mint condition. Obviously it's been carried around. But it's been kept clean. No rust or fouling.

My local gun shop offered me $150 cash or $200 toward a trade. Seemed really low to me. I bought the SBH for $400, used, 10 years ago.

ruger357w · August 11, 2019, 08:12 PM

I bought mine about 3 or 4 years ago at a gun shop for 300 but mine has holster wear on the barrel... far from mint. If it was me I would keep it for the price there offering. Fun to shoot.

reteach · August 12, 2019, 01:14 AM

Andy1 -- To clarify, if you decide to carry the gun loaded, pull the hammer back to the second click to let the cylinder turn, then load one chamber, skip the second chamber, and load the remaining four. When you pull the hammer back to the third click and lower it, it will be resting on an empty chamber.

Your serial number is close to one I have, and I agree that your gun was probably made in 1968, maybe '67. Don't know what's up with Ruger's web site. I looked up my serial number there a while back and got the date. Just now I got the same "number not found" message you saw on my serial number.

Here in North Texas, I think you could get $350 or so for your gun.

**44 AMP** · August 12, 2019, 01:54 AM

There are people that will pay a premium for an unconverted old model Ruger. I'm not one of them, but I hear they're out there.

Be aware that if you send your gun to Ruger, for any reason they will convert it to the transfer bar system, whether you want them to, or not.

They are required to do so as part of a legal settlement. They used to send the original parts back to you with the converted gun, but I have heard they stopped doing that. You might give them a call about that, if you ever need or want to have Ruger work on your gun.

I've had three screw Rugers, and I personally prefer the new model lockwork and its ability to safely carry with all chambers loaded.

rodfac · August 14, 2019, 07:21 PM

Andy, reviewing that pic you posted, shows excellent condition on the part depicted: screws are not buggered up, no visible turn line between the bolt notches on the cylinder, etc. Condition of the muzzle for holster wear, scratches anywhere, and the overall condition of the grips all affect resale offer. Your local gunshop has seriously undervalued that revolver in my opinion. You might do better listing it here in the classified but would need more pictures for sure. As an inhereted gun, I'd hold on to it...using it as a trade-in to a gun shop, you'll be lucky to get 60% of its value.

Check gunbroker for values on 3-screw Ruger Blackhawks...around here, they go for a considerable premium.

Rod

**44 AMP** · August 15, 2019, 12:15 PM

Quote:

My local gun shop offered me $150 cash or $200 toward a trade.

Quote:

Your local gunshop has seriously undervalued that revolver in my opinion.

That's what shops do. They know exactly how much that gun is worth, but that's not what they will offer you for it. Not even close. the people in that shop may like, or even love guns. They may even like you, but they're in that shop to make money, which the shop owner likes even more.

Do remember that online prices are not the full cost of the gun, shipping and "dealer prep" (transfer paperwork, etc) must be figured in. Also, an auction site is...an auction. It shows you what some people are willing to pay, and a bidding war can easily distort the general market value.

Likewise, be aware that while internet sales have evened things out some, there are still regional popularity factors that affect "off the shelf" prices.

For example, concealable pocket guns aren't huge sellers in the grizzly bear woods and heavy caliber express rifles aren't big in the metro areas.

August 11, 2019, 06:28 PM	#9
Andy1 Member Join Date: March 16, 2019 Posts: 71	How much are these old models worth? It's not in mint condition. Obviously it's been carried around. But it's been kept clean. No rust or fouling. My local gun shop offered me $150 cash or $200 toward a trade. Seemed really low to me. I bought the SBH for $400, used, 10 years ago. Last edited by Andy1; August 11, 2019 at 06:33 PM.

August 12, 2019, 01:54 AM	#12
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	There are people that will pay a premium for an unconverted old model Ruger. I'm not one of them, but I hear they're out there. Be aware that if you send your gun to Ruger, for any reason they will convert it to the transfer bar system, whether you want them to, or not. They are required to do so as part of a legal settlement. They used to send the original parts back to you with the converted gun, but I have heard they stopped doing that. You might give them a call about that, if you ever need or want to have Ruger work on your gun. I've had three screw Rugers, and I personally prefer the new model lockwork and its ability to safely carry with all chambers loaded. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 14, 2019, 07:21 PM	#13
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Andy, reviewing that pic you posted, shows excellent condition on the part depicted: screws are not buggered up, no visible turn line between the bolt notches on the cylinder, etc. Condition of the muzzle for holster wear, scratches anywhere, and the overall condition of the grips all affect resale offer. Your local gunshop has seriously undervalued that revolver in my opinion. You might do better listing it here in the classified but would need more pictures for sure. As an inhereted gun, I'd hold on to it...using it as a trade-in to a gun shop, you'll be lucky to get 60% of its value. Check gunbroker for values on 3-screw Ruger Blackhawks...around here, they go for a considerable premium. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

August 11, 2019, 05:04 PM	#2
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 158	I'm gonna say it's a 1968. Has it been converted?

August 11, 2019, 05:13 PM	#3
Andy1 Member Join Date: March 16, 2019 Posts: 71	Converted to what? I'm gonna say no because this gun sat in a safe for 30 years.

August 11, 2019, 05:23 PM	#4
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 158	Converted to the transfer bar safety like the new models have. I have an old one but it was sent in to ruger for that upgrade. I would leave it original if it hasn't been

August 11, 2019, 05:46 PM	#5
Andy1 Member Join Date: March 16, 2019 Posts: 71	How can I tell if it's been converted? I have a 2 screw SBH and a Single Ten to compare it with

August 11, 2019, 05:52 PM	#6
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 158	If you cock your single 10 and look in it you'll see a flat bar in front of the firing pin. Unconverted would just have a firing pin end sticking out.

August 11, 2019, 06:11 PM	#8
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 158	Definitely not converted. If you carry it loaded make sure you leave one round out of the cylinder. The firing pin will rest on the primer of the round if you dont. Nice revolvers. I love my rugers.

August 11, 2019, 08:12 PM	#10
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 158	I bought mine about 3 or 4 years ago at a gun shop for 300 but mine has holster wear on the barrel... far from mint. If it was me I would keep it for the price there offering. Fun to shoot.

August 12, 2019, 01:14 AM	#11
reteach Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 378	Andy1 -- To clarify, if you decide to carry the gun loaded, pull the hammer back to the second click to let the cylinder turn, then load one chamber, skip the second chamber, and load the remaining four. When you pull the hammer back to the third click and lower it, it will be resting on an empty chamber. Your serial number is close to one I have, and I agree that your gun was probably made in 1968, maybe '67. Don't know what's up with Ruger's web site. I looked up my serial number there a while back and got the date. Just now I got the same "number not found" message you saw on my serial number. Here in North Texas, I think you could get $350 or so for your gun.