The consignor will be donating 100% of their proceeds to the Park County Animal Shelter in Wyoming.
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: New Model Blackhawk S38X Special Model Revolver, 06110
Serial Number: 611-03388
Year of Manufacture: 1990
Caliber: Cylinders are included for .38-40 Winchester and 10mm Auto.
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded 6-Shot Single-Action Convertible Revolver.
Barrel Length: 6 1/2"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a black serrated ramped blade integral to a base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered faux-ivory panels with silver-on-black Ruger medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent light erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The action shows operational wear including a thin turn-line on the cylinder. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Included is a Boyt zipper case.
Our Assessment: The Ruger Buckeye Special Blackhawk in .38-40 Winchester and 10mm Auto represents one of the most distinctive and thoughtfully conceived distributor-exclusive revolvers Ruger ever produced. Introduced in 1990, the S38X Buckeye Special was built on the New Model Blackhawk platform and identified by the buckeye sprout emblem on the topstrap, marking it as part of the limited Buckeye series. These revolvers were produced in relatively small numbers and paired uncommon chamberings with Ruger's proven single-action design, resulting in a model that appealed equally to shooters and collectors.
The 6.5 inch barrel and adjustable sights give the revolver a purposeful, balanced profile well suited to precision shooting. The convertible chambering is central to this model's appeal. The .38-40 Winchester cartridge dates back to the late 19th century and was widely used in both revolvers and lever-action rifles, valued for its mild recoil and accuracy. The inclusion of a 10mm Auto cylinder brought the design firmly into the modern era, offering a high-pressure, flat-shooting cartridge that gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In a strong single-action revolver, both cartridges perform exceptionally well.
Buckeye Special Blackhawks have earned a strong reputation for quality, originality, and scarcity, making them highly desirable among Ruger collectors. This revolver retains the great majority of its original finish, strong mechanics, and includes both serial-matching cylinder. As a convertible single-action revolver that bridges classic and modern cartridges, it stands as a standout example of Ruger’s willingness to experiment thoughtfully while maintaining the durability and craftsmanship for which the Blackhawk is known. Please see our photos and good luck!
