Engraved Cimarron 1871-1872 Open Top

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CraigC

CraigC

Sixgun Nut
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
23,873
Location
West Tennessee
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:
Open%20Top%2003.jpg

After:
IMG_2281b.jpg

IMG_2287b.jpg

IMG_2292b.jpg

IMG_2324b.jpg
 
Craig..there you have gone and scratched up a fine open top. Send it to me and I'll see if I can sand the scratches out. If I can't I'll just keep it and have a new one sent to you. Wow!! That beautiful piece rivals a lot of fine revolvers in the NRA Museum. Gorgeous!
 
Just wow Craig that is amazing beautiful now are you going to make a holster for it.
 
ohhhhh that one isn't gonna look right in just ANY holster. I 'spect we are gonna get to see a work of art soon.
 
Darn it, CraigC. I've been drooling over your open top/conversion pictures for years. I finally buy one and then you post this. Now I'm sitting here all green with envy once again. Haha.

In all seriousness, I'm not usually a fan of engraving on firearms, but that looks amazing. Very, very well done.
 
I agree I miss the case coloring.. but wow.. that's one very good looking piece! Envious am I.
 
CraigC, I had been admiring the "before" image of your 1872 on the web for some time. Now to see it transformed into this absolute beauty? Awesome!!! The work is exquisite!
 
Wow...

I'm heading to Fredericksburg in a couple weeks. Texas Jacks and Cimarron Arms are top on my list. Gonna handle everything but so far I'm torn on either a Navy open top or Richards Mason conversion.
 
What a beautiful example of firearm artwork Craig ! Bet you never thought, while carrying it over hills and dales, it'd look as pristine as it does now. What an exquisite piece, you should be very proud of this one ! Congratulations !
 
Thanks guys, I'm really tickled with how it turned out! :D

I've been thinking hard about what to do for a holster. I might do my first flap holster for this one. I wanted to have the holster done before I got it back but haven't had the time. I have some ideas but still need to draw up a pattern.


I agree I miss the case coloring..
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I know, I was sitting here looking at the before pic and starting to miss it. It was really one of the most well-fitted and finished Italian replicas I've ever seen. Almost wish I'd bought another to have engraved.
 
Craig, you know how I felt about your OT. I may have to send my Richards off for some engraving work. It turned out well for you.
 
Your Richards would be gorgeous engraved! It's still one of the best lookin' sixguns I've seen. :)
 
CraigC

I'm also another fan who thought that the "before" version was fantastic just the way it was. But gazing admiringly at the "after" pics with that incredible engraving and bluing, I believe you managed to take something so sweet and make it even sweeter. Congrats on one fine lookin' shootin' iron!
 
i totally understand missing the case coloring, but the end result is absolutely gorgeous! i look forward to seeing the leather you craft for it.
 
Thanks guys for the kind words. I still can't believe it's mine! It hasn't left my sight since it came home. Hope I don't wear all the finish off with my constant coonfingering. :D


Craig, I have a line on a second one, so I might have a pair at some point.
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Nice! I'm still kicking myself for not snatching the one on Gunbroker a couple years ago for under $400. Even if it needed a complete rebuild, it'd be worth it just to have a Richards Type I conversion.
 
Absolutely gorgeous, Craig, just beautiful.

You might have to be the first one on the planet to design a holster made out of plexiglass or something clear so it doesn't get covered up.

Might I ask what the work cost?

Dan
 
I like case colors, but on that revolver, I don't miss them at all. That is gorgeous.
I'd be afraid to put it in any holster.
 
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