Engraved Cimarron 1871-1872 Open Top

[CraigC]

I bought this sixgun several years ago, just before moving to Tennessee. Tom Selleck's westerns had gotten me hot over topless Colt's and Crossfire Trail, made before new replicas were available, was particularly instrumental in my procuring this .44Colt. Did a little slicking of the action, ordered a basket-stamped 1849 Californian from El Paso Saddlery, had it fitted with one-piece TruIvory and proceeded to really get attached to it. Carried it over hill `n dale and packed it near about every hunting season. Things have been going very well for me and I always wanted to have a sixgun engraved. Members here had posted pics of Michael Gouse's work and I was very impressed. I decided to finally have one done and contacted him back in July. Sent it to him in August with instructions to forward it to Turnbull for finish work and got it back today. I don't think I ever waited less than six months for a custom gun so 6wks was quite a pleasant surprise on this one.

It is done in American scroll with 75% coverage. I asked for a sunburst on the recoil shield which I believe is a style popularized by factory Colt engraver Cuno Helfricht. It was finished by Turnbull in full carbona blue with a color case hardened hammer & trigger and nitre blued screws. Words cannot express how happy I am with it. If you've ever dreamed of having one of your guns engraved, I would highly suggest contacting Michael Gouse and making it happen. Life is too short!

http://www.gousefreelancefirearmsengraving.com/

Before, it's a shame I had to part with what were very nice case colors for a Uberti:

After:

 

[bigbore45colt]

Absolutely fantastic, Craig. Just stunning. Great project. This is one hell of a sixgun.

BB45C

 

[CraigC]

Thanks Matt! I just love it. :mrgreen:

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Craig,
A very nice representation to a little known Colt when compared to the SAA. Just outstanding. Shame it was only made for about one year. Way cool looking.

 

[don44]

One of the best looking revolvers of all time !

 

[Anonymous]

He did a classic job of engraving, didn't he?

And engraving aside, I'm beginning to understand why you like this style of revolver so much. The shape and form are perfect, resulting in a look that will never go out of style.

Show us some more photos of this, except matched up with some of your leatherwork.

By the way, what's the barrel length on that revolver?

 

[CraigC]

Craig,
A very nice representation to a little known Colt when compared to the SAA. Just outstanding. Shame it was only made for about one year. Way cool looking.

I agree. I never knew they existed until I became interested in topless Colt's and cartridge conversions in particular. It's a shame they made so few of them, around 2000 if I remember right. Fascinating piece of firearms' history.

One of the best looking revolvers of all time !

I agree Don! When it came time to decide which gun to have engraved, the decision was very easy.

He did a classic job of engraving, didn't he?

And engraving aside, I'm beginning to understand why you like this style of revolver so much. The shape and form are perfect, resulting in a look that will never go out of style.

Show us some more photos of this, except matched up with some of your leatherwork.

By the way, what's the barrel length on that revolver?

He did a fantastic job! I'm thoroughly impressed with his work and the prices are more than reasonable. He will definitely be doing more for me in the near future.

It's kinda funny because for a while, I didn't care for the Colt percussion guns at all. It was probably only about 8-10yrs ago that I started paying attention to them, developed a taste for them and started studying them. Particularly cartridge conversions.

I'm probably going to do my first flap holster for this sixgun. I've been using an el cheapo Oklahoma flap and have really come to appreciate their utility. Funny that I've never taken a pic of it with the El Paso 1849 Californian I ordered just for it.

 

[153]

Beautiful revolver!!!!

 

[gunman42782]

That is a beauty to behold!

 

[cubrock]

Very nice. I'm curious why you had it full blued instead of the frame being color case hardened? No criticism - just curious.

 

[FastEd]

Very easy to look at.
I would like to hold it at least once.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Beautiful revolver!

 

[rugnelli]

Wowza!

 

[CraigC]

Thanks folks, for the kind words. I spent all evening enjoying it, along with a few Colt books and a good cigar.

Very nice. I'm curious why you had it full blued instead of the frame being color case hardened? No criticism - just curious.

I've always had a 'thing' for a full blued, engraved single action with ivory. Started out just wanting a 4¾" SAA but when the time came, I decided to do the Open Top. I don't know if it's a matter of understated elegance or because the bluing doesn't detract from the engraving or what. I just like it. I love color case hardening but not on an engraved gun, for whatever reason. Can't deny that the Kieth #5 influenced my decision, particularly Bowen's recreation.

 

[cubrock]

Thanks folks, for the kind words. I spent all evening enjoying it, along with a few Colt books and a good cigar.

Very nice. I'm curious why you had it full blued instead of the frame being color case hardened? No criticism - just curious.

I've always had a 'thing' for a full blued, engraved single action with ivory. Started out just wanting a 4¾" SAA but when the time came, I decided to do the Open Top. I don't know if it's a matter of understated elegance or because the bluing doesn't detract from the engraving or what. I just like it. I love color case hardening but not on an engraved gun, for whatever reason. Can't deny that the Kieth #5 influenced my decision, particularly Bowen's recreation.

Thanks! Makes perfect sense. I have seen some CCH engraved guns that I thought were fantastic and others where the CCH detracted from the engraving. I think it depends a lot on the character of the CCH and the engraving motifs. I really like Open Tops, as well.

You have a mighty fine shootin' iron there. You are making me think evil (to the pocketbook) thoughts of a Schofield with some engraving and ivory. The Schofield is probably my "get to me" gun, above all others.

 

[jeffnles1]

Craig,
Really Nice.