U.S. Gunmaker Ruger's 50th Super Blackhawk

Posted by Thomas Alan Gray Aug 6, 2009

The original Ruger Blackhawk single-action .44 six-shot revolver was introduced in 1956. (A single-action revolver requires the hammer to be cocked for firing, and half-cocked for loading or unloading). Such a revolver required an empty chamber under the hammer to prevent accidental firing from impact such as the gun being dropped or struck sharply.

In 1973 Ruger introduced the New Model Blackhawk, which did not require the hammer to be half-cocked. A new transfer-bar mechanism prevented the cartridge under the hammer from being fired on impact, though an empty chamber is still recommended for greatest safety.

A later variant, the Super Blackhawk, had a heavier steel frame machined for a scope.

The Ruger 50th Anniversary New Model Super Blackhawk

"The 50th Anniversary New Model Super Blackhawk commemorates this legendary revolver with special ornamentation and finish," said Ruger in a media release dated Jan. 15, 2009. This special 50th commemorative New Model Super Blackhawk will only be produced in limited quantities during 2009, which is coincidentally the 60th anniversary of Sturm, Ruger & Co. itself.

The anniversary gun features

• Ruger single-action alloy steel frame
• Precision click adjustable rear sight
• An unfluted cylinder
• Checkered wood grips.

Specifications for the 50th Anniversary New Model Super Blackhawk are

• Caliber: .44 Magnum
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Finish: High-gloss Blued
• Grip: Cocobola
• Barrel length: 7.5"
• Groove: 6
• Twist: 13.5"
• Front Sight: Ramp
• Rear Sight: Adjustable
• 7-1/2” barrel

Special decorative features for the commemorative weapon include

• two gold bands incised on the cylinder
• a high gloss blue finish
• gold trim lettering “50th Anniversary Super Blackhawk – 2009”
• special red commemorative case

"The 50th Anniversary New Model Super Blackhawk has benefited from 50 years of continuous refinements, including a unique reverse-indexing pawl for easy loading and unloading and Ruger’s patented transfer bar and loading gate mechanisms that give an unprecedented measure of security and convenience," claims the release. This is nothing new, but is a feature of the original New Model Blackhawk.

About Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Sturm, Ruger was founded in 1949 and is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of high-quality firearms for sporting and law-enforcement markets, with headquarters in Southport, CT, and plants located in Newport, New Hampshire and Prescott, Arizona.

Ruger offers products in all four industry product categories:

• Ruger rifles in single, bolt, and semiauto configurations in various calibers
• Ruger shotguns in both over/under and side/side configurations in various gauges
• Ruger pistols in a wide range of styles and calibers
• Ruger revolvers in single and double action styles for various calibers.

Ruger firearms are sold through a select number of independent wholesale distributors, principally to the commercial sporting market and to law enforcement agencies.

Sturm, Ruger & Co 60th Anniversary