Value Ruger 1973 Super Blackhawk 2 digit SN

I have a 1973 Ruger Super Black Hawk 44 with a rust spot on barrell. It is a 2 digit SN 81-000XX. Trying to establish value and if this gun should be repaired or reblued. Otherwise I have box, sleeve and papers.

looks pretty deep and it might need a professional opinion,,to do the job correctly it would involve some drawfiling and then polishing and then reblueing if it's a deep rust spot,,you could try it yourself but i won't guarrentee the results,,your ruger is proably worth 350-650 the way it is and the job could range from 100-200 for a proper fix and reblue,,so it's your call if you want to spend the cash or not..if ya do it's still gonna be worth the same but you will be out the cost of fixing it ,,if you try it yourself try some 0000 steel wool and then retouch the spot with a good cold blueing like birchwood caseys super blu,,i'd leave it like it is unless you want it perfect,,if thats the case then consult a good gunsmith and get it fixed right ..but the price isn't going to increase from the prices quoted,,
bigcurt

Thanks for your input. Actually I was trying to buy this gun 81-00011(previously owned by a Ruger employee) but the asking price with rust spot was $1000. I will pass on this one.

the 2 digit serial number is kinda cool and it might increase the value to a blackhawk or ruger collector but i don't really think it would make it a 1000 dollar pistol,,if your looking at it as a investment in my opinion i yhink you could find better pistols to invest your money in that 10 years down the road would at least double your investment,,check out gunbrokers .com and look at other rugers for price comparison ,,i will say that the blackhawk line has increased over the past 5 years but so have quality colts and smith and wesson pistols and by far they are the top 2 better resellers for making money on ..but thats just my 2 cents worth,,and ruger collectors will proably jump ugly on me but if you look back threw history and the top 2 are still the most collectable out there ..
bigcurt

Dont even try to fix the rust or consider it!! The value will drop to about 200.00-300.00

The person I was trying to buy this gun from has a line on a period barrel to replace the rusted one.
What do you think that would do to the value?

It all depends on if it is going to be a shooter or a collector.
If you want one to shoot there are plenty out there that are cheaper.
I wouldn't be afraid to shoot that one all the pressure is in the cylinder and a lot of gas escapes between the barrel and the cylinder. If in doubt when I get a hold of an old Mauser and not sure of head space I weight it down with sand bags and pull the trigger with a string and check the case for bulges and blown primer.
I myself would not change even a screw on it. If you do change something make sure it can be changed back to original!!!