I just found some $5.00 special grips - they're pretty cool target grips with a thumb rest, and appear to be lacquered. Inside they are marked:

Made by R.V. Ennis
Beeville, Tex
13-9-40

They *almost* fit an L frame, but the top of the backstrap doesn't quite match. They have lacquer that looks a good 70 years old on it (probably hard as nails by now), and I don't know about shaving them down to fit - somebody loved them at one time.

But they are incredibly comfortable and ergonomic. I would like grips cut like this for my L frames.

Who was Ennis, and what frame were these for?

Try 'em on an N frame.

K and L frame grips are the same.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have no N frame.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

They look like homemade grips. Never heard of R V Ennis.
Look like they would fit an N-frame.

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Dick

Mike,




R. Vail Ennis served as Sheriff, of Bee County Texas from about 1945 to about 1953. He enjoyed breaking up slot machines and if I remember right he was known as a shooter.

Yep found the info I was looking for. Ennis was a sniper in WWI. He also was said to have killed more men than any other mid century Texas Sheriff.His count was supposed to be 8, some maybe questionable.
He once mounted a Thompson on the hood of his patrol car rigged to fire when he pulled a chain. First became an Officer in 1941. He was a trick shooter who often shot Quarters out of the air.

He died December 21, 1972. Tried to copy a photo of him but couldn't, if you Google Find a grave and put in his name you will see an image of him.

In 1940 the grips, if they are for a Smith, would have to be for a K frame.

Thanks so much for the info.

Did you know him, know of him, or was there some resource that had the information?

I just found this article titled "Hellbent Sheriff".

I am not a subscriber so I cannot read the full article.

R. V. Ennis was apparently the Sheriff of Bee County, Texas back in those days. You've got a piece of Texas lawman history in those grips.

Page 16, Kokomo Tribune, July 25, 1947: NewspaperARCHIVE.com

You can read an account of him shooting to death a prisoner who attacked him in 1952 here: Page 10, Evening Journal, February 11, 1952: NewspaperARCHIVE.com

He also made Time magazine in 1947: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...887740,00.html

Did not know him,I have done way too many years of research on old Peace Officers of the Southwest and the names tend to stick with me.

Needless to say, don't modify those grips at all. You never know who Ennis, after some more research, might turn out to be and there might be some serious interest, among the right party, in those grips in original form.

Ennis gets more interesting. William S. Burroughs crossed paths with him, ending up arrested for drunken driving by Sheriff Ennis: The lost years of William S. Burroughs: beats in South Texas - Rob Johnson - Google Books

Are you kidding? They are going in a case, I won't even mount them, unless I found one of this guns. These are part of Texas history.

I bought access to time - this guy has some serious history. Apparently "concerned citizens" tried to ouster him more than once, with no luck.

Is it okay to print the article or portions of it?

Looks like we were all finding and typing stuff at the same time. In any case, now you know who Ennis was. Cool find.

$5 in a LGS "junk bin" along with a bunch of other old police stuff. I am going back to see what else is in there. I am also going to see if these belong to one of the old S&W revolvers these guys just laid out.

Funny those articles don't mention his woodworking skills!

"In 1940 the grips, if they are for a Smith, would have to be for a K frame."

Why do you say that? S&W was selling .44 Specials, .38/44s, 1917s, and .357s in 1940.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Here he is!

MG because they look like they fit the L frame pretty close and didn't think they would fit an N but I sure defer to your .44 Knowledge.

This is getting really interesting!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Look at pictures # 6 and # 7. See how the wood stands proud on the right grip? Should fit an N just right.

Look at the pictures in this thread:

FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty)

Those are K frame Magnas mounted on an N frame. See how much exposed metal is shown?

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Would make more sense for an Ol Tejas Sheriff to tote a Fowty Fow. esp a Shooter like this feller was.

Always wanted a Thompson Hood ornament just never could afford one.

A 44 special?

Yep a lot of those old lawmen from that era did favor the .44 Special.

Mike there is quite a bit of info on Ennis in the book, "The Texas Sheriff; Lord of the County Line" by Thad Sitton.

Is there some chance that Ennis had a registered magnum? He made those grips before he was sheriff.

Sure Mike. As MG pointed out if they are Ns, could have been anything in the line up. Fellow like Ennis, I think it is a safe bet that he might have owned more than one gun. I am sure with a bit more digging you may find out about his tools.

I've ordered some books to read up on this character. I think the chances of finding the original gun are long gone - but I'd like to find at least the same model/year to sport the grips on.

It still irks me though - I knew the moment I handled those grips that whoever made them was a serious shooter. I can understand how in most cases the original grips are more desirable - but there are clearly cases where you don't want to touch somebody's gun. You'd think anybody with enough interest in firearms to open a shop would be more careful.

Go figure.

Very interesting thread- I never thought I'd see William Burroughs
referenced on this site. Any connection between Lenny Bruce
& Smith & Wessons ?


Regards,

turnerriver

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turnerriver

Believe me, I'm no fan of Burroughs but he was a rather (in)famous character, as despicable as he was.

I met Vail Ennis when I was growing up. I remember he usually carried a Smith & Wesson 44 Special. If those grips are for an N frame, they would fit a 357 or a 44. They are a real collector item and I would not do anything to them other than put them in a case as you have mentioned. I also remember that he drove a Hudson Hornet and then I think an Oldsmobile after they made the last Hudsons in 1957.

There were a lot of Texas sheriffs back in the day who got into the midst of the action. Most of the present-day Texas sheriffs, at least those in the more-populated counties, act more as politicians and administrators, and let the deputies do all the dirty work.

Sorry to necro this old thread - any idea from anybody what these are worth? I am considering selling them, as they've only sat in my safe, and I could use the cash. I'm not a collector, even by a stretch. All my stuff is for shooting.

Mike, I'd like to have a look at them if selling is on your mind, having a sentimental connection to Sheriff Ennis. Where you located?

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Halfway and one more step

I am in the Phoenix, AZ, area this time of year. If you are a serious reputable collector, I wouldn't have a problem sending them to you for inspection.

I had some pipe dream of finding the gun here that they ripped these stocks from, but it's long gone. I'd much rather these go to a collector - especially somebody with other Ennis items.

Mike, your mailbox is full, but I'm willing.
Jim

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Halfway and one more step

Cleared mailbox.

I need to do whatever is required to expand my mailbox - I'll go read on it now...

I am now a contributor, so there's room in my mailbox, if you'd like to try again. I also sent a PM.

He was know as the "Last Sheriff In Texas" in the book by the same name. Otherwise know as the Last High Sheriff in Texas.

Attached Images

	1941 New Ranger.jpg (26.2 KB, 66 views)
	Ranger Wachtendorf HOF.jpg (116.8 KB, 67 views)

Late to the discussion here unfortunately. Sheriff Vail Ennis is a great uncle of mine, so I’m glad I found this thread. Lucille “Oncie” Handly Ennis was the Bee County Sheriff’s wife. My grandfather was William Handly and my mother was his daughter, Roberta Louise Handly Pierpont. Lucille and William Handly were siblings, so Lucille and Vail were Mom’s aunt and uncle. I recall visits in the late 60’s to Beeville where my Dad and Mom would take Mr Handly to Beeville, so he could visit his sister and brother-in-law. I would tag along, as well, so I had face to face contact with this ex-lawman who definitely had a “shoot first, ask questions later” rep. As I recall, he seemed like a pretty nice, warm, level-headed old fellow, but I was only 12,13 or 14 at the time…only have fond memories of the Sheriff.

Welcome to the Forum.

Are you able to contact other family members who may remember what happened to the sheriff's firearms?

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I spent 2 years of my Navy time in Beeville at the Air Station there. I enjoyed the town and its old west feel. Great to hear about some history.