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Old September 16, 2007, 11:50 AM   #1
M1895
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Engraver for pistols in "The Shootist?"

Does anyone know who engraved the SAA pistols that John Wayne used in his final film, "The Shootist?" Are there any photos of these pistols on the web or other examples of his or her work?
Thank you,
David
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Old September 19, 2007, 01:59 AM   #2
38splfan
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Guns of The Old West

There was a great article in the current "Guns of The Old West" magazine about those very guns.
Don't have it handy (out in the garage). I'll get back with you tomorrow and let you know who the engraver is (it's listed in there somewhere).
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Old September 19, 2007, 06:46 AM   #3
dalegribble
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The gun in the magizine is a re-creation of the original according to the article. John J Adams Sr was the engraver of the gun in the magizine. I don't believe it states who did the engraving on the gun in the movie. Pretty gun.
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Old September 20, 2007, 05:19 PM   #4
M1895
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Thanks guys. I'll have to check out that magazine this weekend.
I don't normally care about engraved guns but those pistols just seem to look better than any other engraved pistol I have seen.
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Old September 21, 2007, 03:58 PM   #5
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I read in a gunrag that the guns were Great Westerns, and were presented to Wayne by the company, back in the '50s-'60s? The article said only one was engraved, so that one was apparently always in the foreground, if both were on screen?
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Old October 16, 2007, 03:32 AM   #6
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Someone e-mail me later, I have the pics on my PC. (on the laptop, at the moment.)
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Old June 27, 2013, 04:36 PM   #7
rootcanals
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engraver

Earl Long built them, and two more sets just like them.
Chuck Connors also had a set built, as well as did Sammy Davis Jr.

http://www.curtrich.com/0109rvlog.html scroll down a page and read up on him. He is a good friend.
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Old June 27, 2013, 08:42 PM   #8
RJay
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They are listed as both being engraved " Great Westerns " presented in a cased matched set by the owner of , what else but Great Western.
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Old June 28, 2013, 12:45 PM   #9
royal barnes
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And the one Ron Howard threw across the saloon was purported to be a Ruger Blackhawk wearing imitation ivory stocks and with the sights removed.
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Old June 28, 2013, 05:06 PM   #10
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M1895 . . . David . . . just curious . . . do you do engraving or are you going to try? Cause if you do or are . . . . we'd sure like to see photos of your progress!

I always enjoy threads like this . . . lot's of interesting little "tidbits".

My wife and I were talking abour Sammy Davis Jr. the other day . . . I think we saw him on one of the Rifleman episodes . . . or similar. He appeared to be very good at fast draw, spinning, etc. Does anyone know . . . ws he a serious shooter as well?
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Old June 30, 2013, 11:31 AM   #11
Lightning Ross
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engraver

Sammy and Jerry Lewis would on occasion do gun twirling and fast draw in there vegas acts. Not very often. Both were exceptional at it. Never thought Jerry would even pick up a gun. Dont know about being serious shooters. But some one taught them the tricks.
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Old June 30, 2013, 12:54 PM   #12
newfrontier45
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Both were shooters and collected guns. Sammy was fast, as was Jerry Lewis. There are some videos of their gun handling skills on YouTube.

The two Great Western SAA's at the Oklahoma City Cowboy Museum in the John Wayne section are both engraved and appear to be identical.
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Old June 30, 2013, 01:59 PM   #13
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There is an article is out there telling about the person who coached the big stars in fancy gun handling. Can someone find it.
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Old June 30, 2013, 02:46 PM   #14
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This probably isn't what you were referring to but he's the one that trained Sammy and Dean and a host of others.

http://www.arvoojalaholstercompany.biz/
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Old June 30, 2013, 03:20 PM   #15
newfrontier45
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Thell Reed is doing most of it now.
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