Ruger Blackhawk Serial Number 33

INCLUDES BISLEY MODELS & 50TH ANNIVERSARY MODEL NEW MODEL BLACKHAWK -.44 MAGNUM 50TH. ANNIVERSARY MODEL BEGINNING SERIAL NUMBER YEAR OF PRODUCTION 33- 33- 34- 34- 35- 35- 35- 36-22705.

Dougan's info supports the 31-45190 number, and it has been listed as the last-shipped number on Bob's List for many years... Shipped May, 1973. Software Acoustica Gratis on this page. Higher number possible?

I suppose so, but so far the evidence does not support that. Dr Slump Vostfr Rapidshare Downloads. YMMV Dougan's numbers have always been estimates. 31-45191 WAS the last number assigned to a cylinder frame by Ruger.that according to a printed binder full of good info I had once that was assembled and printed by Ruger for use by Law Enforcement for criminal case information. There were high and low serial numbers of every Ruger produced up to that time, rifling twists of all the calibers and a lot of other information. I take that binder of information to be accurate because of its source.

I just got this New Model Ruger Blackhawk in.357 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. I absolutely love it. It is a blast to shoot and very pretty (to me.) It is blued and there is a fair amount of holster wear that helps give it an authentic feel. I don't like my guns to look brand new.

I'm just crazy that way. While recording it in my database I noticed something curious about the serial number. I looked it up on the Serial number database pages that Ruger hosts. () They state that the old model was made until 1973 and the final year's serial numbers began with 31-41551. The new model serial numbers began in 1974 with 32-33639. Mine is a new model but its serial number is significantly earlier than the above starting number. It is 32-080XX.

Is this just an error on the Ruger database or was mine made in 1973? I always want to know as much as possible about the history of my firearms as possible. Is this weird? Any help would be great.

This thing isn't too hard to figure out if you consider this cut & paste job: Ruger made their last.357 OMBH in mid-1973 with a serial number somewhere over 31-41550 and less than or equal to 31-99999. Ruger made their first.357 NMBH in mid-1973 and, probably, didn't use up all of the 31-XXXXX serial numbers, but decided to start a new serial number series, starting with 32-00001. Have no idea when during 1973 the changeover occurred, and it wouldn't surprise me to learn that there may have been some overlap in production.