My cup runneth over . . .

I’m not sure if Psalm 23, verse 5 has ever been applied to the collection and enjoyment of firearms, but if it hasn’t, it’s time it was!

Yesterday I reported that I’d bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum revolver.  It turned out to be a whole lot more valuable than what I’d paid for it.  As I mentioned in the comments to that post, I decided I couldn’t keep it in good conscience, as the seller was a friend who hadn’t been aware of its true value.  (Neither had I, when I bought it – until I did an Internet search or two.)  Anyway, I called him yesterday afternoon, told him what I’d discovered, and arranged to meet him today to return it.  He was very grateful, and said he had “a couple of other things” in which I might be interested.

Interested?  Try salivating, panting, and lusting after them!

First off, he had a brand-new, unfired, stainless steel Ruger Old Army revolver.

This is probably the strongest, best-designed blackpowder revolver ever built.  It’s not a serious hunting or defensive weapon compared to cartridge firearms (although it would do at least as well as any other blackpowder revolver in such a situation, and better than most).  It’s a fun gun, pure and simple, for those who want to recreate the days when revolver cylinders had to be loaded with loose powder and ball, a percussion cap had to be carefully inserted over the nipple of each chamber, the gun would be fired with great gushes of smoke and flame, and then laboriously reloaded to do the same thing all over again.  They’re a nostalgia trip.

To cut a long story short, my friend offered me this one for what I paid for the Super Blackhawk (which is still less than the Old Army’s usual selling price in used condition, much less brand-new and unfired!).  As you can imagine, I almost tripped over my own tongue in agreeing!  We swapped, straight across.  Yes, I had to guard against drooling all over its pristine finish.  Why do you ask?

My good fortune didn’t end there.  He has another Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk revolver in .44 Magnum, this one the ‘Hunter’ model in stainless steel, complete with scope rings.  (The picture below is courtesy of Gunblast’s review of this model.)

It’s also brand-new, unfired, and in its original box.  He expressed interest in a rifle I have available, and we’ve agreed that I’ll trade him the rifle, plus a little cash, for his Blackhawk – so I’ll still have a .44 Magnum revolver, without having to spend much extra cash at all.  I must confess, I prefer the mirror-bright blued finish of the one I bought originally;  but since I want a shooter, not a safe queen, this one is much more appropriate for that use – and its stainless steel construction means it’ll be easier to clean and keep in good condition.  Color me very happy.

The cherry on top came after we’d dealt with those two.  He handed over three hundred rounds of .44 Magnum ammunition dating from the 1960’s – including original boxes!  Among others, there’s a box of Remington 240gr. JSP – which, if I recall correctly, was the first factory load for the .44 Magnum – and two boxes of Winchester 240gr. SWC plated with Lubaloy.  I haven’t seen that plating advertised on ammo in years!  He’s selling it all to me for a mere 20c per round, because “it’s old stuff that he can’t guarantee”.  Friends, I can’t buy empty .44 Magnum cartridge cases for that price!  I can probably sell the older stuff to collectors – there’s a market for it.  I’ll shoot the rest, then reload the empties.

So, my “good deed for the day” in returning my friend’s Super Blackhawk has indeed “been fruitful and multiplied” my firearms blessings.  If I were grinning any more broadly, the reflections from my teeth would be blinding!  I’ll bring these along to our annual Blogorado meeting later this year.  I think there are going to be lots of happy bloggers shooting them!

Peter