Wilson's World, San Bernadino, CA, NRA & Ruger

[G2]

Wilson's World, San Bernadino, CA, NRA & Ruger
Ran across an interesting piece of history today. Built & hand engraved by Mr. Wilson himself for a NRA event and the Ruger emblems were ok'd by WBR himself. I'm still working on getting the details,,,
thought I would post up these photo's and prelim info.
Belt Buckle made of Silver, the NRA is Brass and the Ruger Medallions/ Gold. :shock: Apparently Mr Wilson and Mr Ruger were close personal friends.
Should there be interest in acquisition, it might be available. PM me with interest. :wink:

 

[ubme]

Not sure why PM not working for me. Im interested

email: [email protected]

Shawn

 

[El Numero Uno]

You would not believe the size of the belt buckles that Jerry Wilson wore; there ought to be a picture around somewhere of him- and his buckle!

 

[Rumrunner]

I used to go to his shop when he was in an old gas station before he moved to behind his house. First time I saw a Tri-Color was at the old station.

 

[G2]

You would not believe the size of the belt buckles that Jerry Wilson wore; there ought to be a picture around somewhere of him- and his buckle!

Another member shared with me (via PM) that the Large Buckle w/ large Ruger Bird used a Diamond for the eye.
Feel free to post pictures if you have em.

I used to go to his shop when he was in an old gas station before he moved to behind his house. First time I saw a Tri-Color was at the old station.

Rumrunner that's interesting, My friend who owns this Buckle also told me of the Tri-Color's when sharring the Buckle with me, apparently there were quite a few of them in all sort's of colors. Sounds like a sight to have been seen.

 

[El Numero Uno]

He would probably be pictured in many of the old RCA Journals from pics taken at the NRA Conventions in the '70's, '80's and '90's. He rarely missed one. His Ruger collection was extensive. His name was Jerry Lee Wilson and some called him Jerry and some called him Lee. First time I met him was at the '86 NRA Convention in New Orleans. He made many buckles and they were all of high quality.

 

[Walter Rego]

I bought several Rugers from Jerry Lee Wilson in the 70's and early 80's. As others mentioned, his first shop was in a gas station service bay. It had a small counter with almost no display space, you told him what you were looking for, he would disappear into the garage area and come back with the gun. You could also gas up your vehicle and buy a six pack at the same time.
He had a huge Ruger eagle tattoo on one of his forearms and was quite the character. I did not know that he made the belt buckles.

 

[Rumrunner]

Yep he would say that "He had Ruger under his skin", and then show the tattoo.