MARSHAL DILLON'S HOLSTER

crazyphil · Jan 27, 2020

I have read that Marshal Dillon's holster was made by Arvo Ojalla.
But my memory tells me that Arvo didn't actually make holsters.
His associate Andy Anderson probably made many of them,
including Dillon's. Alfonso Pineda, another Ojalla associate, also
made Ojalla's hosters. If someone knows the real story, please
jump in and explain.

Marshal Dillon's gun, often referred to as a Colt, wasn't a Colt
at all. It was made by Great Western. Probably the closest
replicas to the real Colts. The grips look like genuine imitation
stag. Probably Franzite plastic? It was the Cavalry style, with
7.5" barrel.

The gun and holster sold at auction for $50,000.

KSDeputy · Jan 27, 2020

Pardon me, but this is a pet peeve. Marshal is usually spelled with one L. I read about the holster as well. It was rumored to have a steel plate, covered in leather, and with it Arness was able to draw and fire much faster.

crazyphil · Jan 27, 2020

KSDeputy said:
Pardon me, but this is a pet peeve. Marshal is usually spelled with one L. I read about the holster as well. It was rumored to have a steel plate, covered in leather, and with it Arness was able to draw and fire much faster.

Marshall "is a long established variant of Marshal usually used
with proper nouns--such as names--" (like Marshall Dillon for
example.)

Patrick L · Jan 27, 2020

The story I always heard was yes, Ojala. Supposedly he coached Arness (and a host of others) in fast draw/gun handling. As a thanks he appeared onscreen as the one Matt outdrew in the opening credits.

This is just the story, I have no way of knowing if it was true. But a great show! Thank God for MeTV, and DVD sets.

les.b · Jan 27, 2020

Phil, you need an image!

Best Regards, Les

mauser9 · Jan 27, 2020

Recall this subject came up before concerning the actual gun being a Colt. Bet many westerns used the Great Western Colt look alike. I imagine quite a bit less expensive than using genuine Colts.

BAM-BAM · Jan 27, 2020

Wasn't this all covered in a "I've Got a Secret" video someone here posted in the last year????????????????????????

6518John · Jan 27, 2020

There have been several outstanding threads on Gunsmoke and it’s guns and leather since I have been a member here.

crazyphil · Jan 27, 2020

les.b said:
Phil, you need an image!

Best Regards, Les

Thanks Les. Someday I need to learn how to cut & paste.

les.b · Jan 27, 2020

just a quick take... I believe that Stembridge Rentals supplied the guns that Arness used, and they supplied the Great Western early on, and then, when Colt resumed production, they supplied real Colts. Remember that the show ran for twenty years, and over that time Arness used many prop guns.

Interesting obituary: Obituary | Fast-draw shooter taught TV stars | The Seattle Times

Best Regards, Les

handejector · Jan 27, 2020

Matt & Arvo - Pic HEAVY!!!
The real story of Arvo Ojala and his holster . . .
Arvo Ojala, movie fast draw gun coach on "To Tell The Truth".

Mike SC Hunter · Jan 27, 2020

Patrick L said:
The story I always heard was yes, Ojala. Supposedly he coached Arness (and a host of others) in fast draw/gun handling. As a thanks he appeared onscreen as the one Matt outdrew in the opening credits.

This is just the story, I have no way of knowing if it was true. But a great show! Thank God for MeTV, and DVD sets.

IF you go back to the opening credits and LISTEN.........OJALA.......SHOOTS FIRST.

PALADIN85020 · Jan 27, 2020

crazyphil said:
Marshall "is a long established variant of Marshal usually used
with proper nouns--such as names--" (like Marshall Dillon for
example.)

I am a Marshall (family name), and one my best friends, the official Arizona State Historian, has Marshall as his first name.

"Marshal" with one "l" is not a name - it is a title, both officially and so spelled on every law enforcement badge I've seen with that title.

The two should not be confused. One is a name, the other is a title. It's one of my pet peeves, so please excuse my ire.

John

GerSan69 · Jan 27, 2020

crazyphil said:
Marshall "is a long established variant of Marshal usually used
with proper nouns--such as names--" (like Marshall Dillon for
example.)

Except "Marshall" wasn't his first name - "Matt" was, according to the Gunsmoke storyline.
Oh, and it's "U.S. Marshal."

jimgoldth · Jan 27, 2020

Great Western was formed AFTER Colt made the decision Not To Ever make the SAA (which had stopped production in 1940) ever again around 1954. They even bought the left over Colt SAA parts. Once Great Western got going around 1955 there was great increase in Movie and T V Westerns. All great companies have a chance to change their mind so in 1956 COLT reintroduced the SAA at the price of $125.00. The Great Western was just under $100. Needless to say Colt went on and Great Western only lasted until 1964.

My early Great Western 3" SAA barrel made with some Colt Parts. BIANCHI left hand Holster and Original Great Western Horn Grips.

crazyphil · Jan 27, 2020

OK I will remove one l just to make you pet peevers happy.

PALADIN85020 · Jan 27, 2020

"Marshal Matt Dillon" was not the only one to use a Great Western revolver. John Wayne also used one in many of his movies. Here's a pic taken of me holding it - I didn't wash my hands for a week after...

John

handejector · Jan 27, 2020

crazyphil said:
OK I will remove one l just to make you pet peevers happy.

you could use it on your name and become crazyphill
As the kids say nowadays, "That's craaaazy!"

handejector · Jan 27, 2020

PALADIN85020 said:
"Marshal Matt Dillon" was not the only one to use a Great Western revolver. John Wayne also used one in many of his movies.

The pair of engraved SAs used by Wayne in "The Shootist" are Great Westerns.

ldausmc1369 · Jan 27, 2020

Just saw The Shootist on one of the old movie channels... one of his best and last... long live the Duke...

MARSHAL DILLON'S HOLSTER

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