*VERY RARE, ONE OF TWO KNOWN, PRE-PRODUCTION FLAT TOP RUGER BLACKHAWK SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH 4-5/8″ BARREL & BRASS GRIP FRAME.

SN 2331. Cal. .44 Magnum. It has ramp front sight & Micro adjustable rear sight on flat top frame. Left side of frame has standard markings “RUGER BLACKHAWK / 44 MAGNUM CAL.” with the Ruger eagle trademark. Right side of frame has the SN. Trigger guard & backstrap are brass which contain 2-pc yellow cow horn grips with Ruger black eagle medallions. Right side of the cast brass grip frame, inside the toe has the casting marks “MR / 3DB” along with a small mark in a circle. Buttstrap is hand-stamped “ELMER KEITH”. Reportedly, this is one of only two such revolvers ever made with 4-5/8″ bbl & is known to have been shipped to Elmer Keith for testing. A picture posted on the Ruger Collector’s Website depicts Mr. Keith sitting in front of his home fireplace holding this exact revolver. Page 46 of Reference of Ruger Firearms Volume One, Third Revision, Hiddleson discusses this revolver and states that it was shipped to Elmer Keith and shows it as having a 4-5/8″ bbl. The other 4-5/8″ gun was ordered by renowned dealer Herb Glass for a customer. PROVENANCE: The Elmer Keith Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl, frame & cyl overall retain 97-98% strong orig blue with only very light muzzle end wear on left side & tip of ejector housing. Hammer retains strong blue on edges with bright polish on sides. Screws appear to be untouched & retain about all of their orig blue. Grip frame is solid & retains a medium mustard patina. Right grip has a small grain check at right heel, otherwise grips are sound & show a fine patina with little or no wear. Mechanics are unconverted & crisp, brilliant shiny bore shows very little use. 4-48044 JR256 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1003

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1003	$10,350.00	VERY RARE, ONE OF TWO KNOWN, PRE-PRODUCTION FLAT TOP RUGER BLACKHAWK SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH 4-5/8″ BARREL & BRASS GRIP FRAME. SN 2331. Cal. .44 Magnum. It has ramp front sight & Micro adjustable rear sight on flat top frame. Left side of frame has standard markings “RUGER BLACKHAWK* / 44 MAGNUM CAL.” with the Ruger eagle trademark. Right side of frame has the SN. Trigger guard & backstrap are brass which contain 2-pc yellow cow horn grips with Ruger black eagle medallions. Right side of the cast brass grip frame, inside the toe has the casting marks “MR / 3DB” along with a small mark in a circle. Buttstrap is hand-stamped “ELMER KEITH”. Reportedly, this is one of only two such revolvers ever made with 4-5/8″ bbl & is known to have been shipped to Elmer Keith for testing. A picture posted on the Ruger Collector’s Website depicts Mr. Keith sitting in front of his home fireplace holding this exact revolver. Page 46 of Reference of Ruger Firearms Volume One, Third Revision, Hiddleson discusses this revolver and states that it was shipped to Elmer Keith and shows it as having a 4-5/8″ bbl. The other 4-5/8″ gun was ordered by renowned dealer Herb Glass for a customer. PROVENANCE: The Elmer Keith Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl, frame & cyl overall retain 97-98% strong orig blue with only very light muzzle end wear on left side & tip of ejector housing. Hammer retains strong blue on edges with bright polish on sides. Screws appear to be untouched & retain about all of their orig blue. Grip frame is solid & retains a medium mustard patina. Right grip has a small grain check at right heel, otherwise grips are sound & show a fine patina with little or no wear. Mechanics are unconverted & crisp, brilliant shiny bore shows very little use. 4-48044 JR256 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1003 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*VERY RARE, ONE OF TWO KNOWN, PRE-PRODUCTION FLAT TOP RUGER BLACKHAWK SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH 4-5/8″ BARREL & BRASS GRIP FRAME.