The .44 Spl. and The Scapegoat Mtn. Bull

Dennis · #51 12-03-2015, 02:52 AM

Damn... that was an excellent story. Brought back some good memories.
I got a big bull in 69 i think it was. Up in Idaho w my dad. But the story is nothing compared to yours. Great writing and a beautiful .44 that definitely earned that scratch-work and ivories. Beautiful work on the leather.
Damn... That made my week, reading that.
Thank-you.

WPWarhawk · #52 12-03-2015, 11:51 AM

I made one of those trips to Idaho, wish I'd done more.

Elmer and Skeeter made me want to go on that trip, you sir, make me want to go back.

Hammergun · #53 12-29-2018, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith44spl

Sir,

Had that 27 re-chambered back in the 70s when that was the 'thing' to do...

The saddle tan rig I cobbled up here on the ranch in the saddle shop.

Jeff Flannery of Union, KY did the engraving in early '90 or '91.

The Ivories were made by Ajax in Dallas.

Flip side;

Su Amigo,
Dave

Dave,
My dad was a gun collector in Kentucky/Indiana and I remember seeing Jeff Flannery at the gun shows. He was a really nice guy to me as a kid going to the gun shows. I really liked your story as it brought back some great memories of me hunting elk in the nearby Middle Fork of the Flathead in Montana in 1976 with my late Father on Horseback and packing a 1958 Blued Colt Python 4” wearing leather chaps. I didn’t shoot an elk with it or the 7mm Mag I was hunting with. But I still have some great memories from that trip camping in a teepee etc.

kthom · #54 12-29-2018, 01:55 PM

EXCELLENT!!

Somehow missed this until now. Glad I got the opportunity to read the whole thread at once. Great story, well told, and that .44 Special is dang sure special! All of this made me smile, and that's always a good thing (unless my wifemate catches me smilin' when she smacks her thumb or finger with the hammer!)

Old Arkansawyer · #55 12-29-2018, 05:07 PM

Great story and great 44. I'm sold on the 44 special myself.

Poohgyrr · #56 12-29-2018, 11:58 PM

I know I’ve read this thread before, and I definitely remember seeing pics of that 44. A great thread, and the story and pics are wow!

Thanks for sharing, awesome.

Rustyt1953 · #57 12-30-2018, 12:48 AM

What a brilliantly told tale.

Nicely done, Dave.

Frank V · #58 12-30-2018, 04:42 PM

Great story, I'm a huge fan of the .44 Special. Maybe one day I'll have one as nice as that one.

keith44spl · #59 12-30-2018, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammergun

Dave,
My dad was a gun collector in Kentucky/Indiana and I remember seeing Jeff Flannery at the gun shows. He was a really nice guy to me as a kid going to the gun shows. I really liked your story as it brought back some great memories of me hunting elk in the nearby Middle Fork of the Flathead in Montana in 1976 with my late Father on Horseback and packing a 1958 Blued Colt Python 4” wearing leather chaps. I didn’t shoot an elk with it or the 7mm Mag I was hunting with. But I still have some great memories from that trip camping in a teepee etc.

Jeff Flannery as engraved several of my revolvers....

All of which, have seen back country service over the years.

Colt NF 44 Spl

Colt SAA 44 Spl

.

walkinghorse · #60 12-30-2018, 05:49 PM

Curious, what is the difference between the Colt FN and the Colt SAA.

keith44spl · #61 12-30-2018, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkinghorse

Curious, what is the difference between the Colt FN and the Colt SAA.

The New Frontier is a flat top version, the factory shipped them with the Elliason adj. rear sight.

I replace the adjustable rear sight on mine with a fixed 'rough country' rear, kinda aliken to the old Colt flat top target.

.

joeintexas · #62 12-30-2018, 08:09 PM

Dave, thank you for that story, brought back many wonderful memories of elk camps with my dad and a few of our friends, cold nights, clean air and the best food on the planet. I could almost smell the smoke from your stove fire and the coffee boiling. Thanks again, I'll dream good tonight.

Ole Joe Clark · #63 12-30-2018, 10:15 PM

Great story, and other great stories by Iggy and Mule Packer, maybe others that I can't remember.

When I was a youngster, (long time ago), I used to read everything I could find about "The Lower Forty", and articles by Warren Page, Robert C. Ruark, I think they were all in "Field and Stream." I traveled the World reading those stories, and now I do it again when I see threads like you guys post.
I almost forgot about Ted Trueblood.

Thanks, please don't stop writing.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Old 44 Guy · #64 12-31-2018, 01:09 AM

Dave, Your story telling reminds me of Elmer & Skeeter. You tell how it is. Also reminds me of some of the hunts I've been on in Idaho Montana. That was long ago but fresh in my mind. My old Colt SA 44,vintage 1926 ah accounted for 5 bucks so far but now is a safe queen. I get her out & clean & grease her up. Shoot her every so often.

shouldazagged · #65 12-31-2018, 01:26 AM

Dave, it was nice to read that splendid yarn again, and see the beautiful .44 Special with Flannery's fine engraving.

I'll second what others have said. You should write a book.

ddixie884 · #66 12-31-2018, 08:14 PM

Dave, please tell us more about the FN Colt .44spl I find that very interesting. Is that some kind of a custom, or did it come from the factory like that?

keith44spl · #67 12-31-2018, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddixie884

Dave, please tell us more about the FN Colt .44spl I find that very interesting.
Is that some kind of a custom, or did it come from the factory like that?

Best I recall now, the Colt New Frontier came about in 1963.
My uncle worked for Colt Industries and purchased one in 357.

I really liked the flat top look. I acquired mine somewhat later.

Over the years I've own several others in 44 Spl as well as 45 LC.

I guess one could say the one pictured was customized a bit.

It started out with factory wood stocks, blue w/case-colored
frame and the Colt adjustable rear target sight assembly.

About 30 or 40 years ago, I whittled out the ivory stocks,
had it engraved and added the 'rough country' fixed rear
sight of my making.

Carried it on several pack trips. It shoots were I'm looking with
a hard cast swc and a big dollop of 2400.

.

Ole Joe Clark · #68 12-31-2018, 09:25 PM

You guys make me want a .44 Special, but have no need for one. I know: "What's need have to do with it.?"

Have a blessed day,

Leon

ddixie884 · #69 01-02-2019, 01:53 AM

Dave, I own 3 New Frontiers. That is listed as a FN and that confused me. I guess I had never seen a rear sight like that and thought it was a factory variant, much like a "Flat Top Target." I believe I understand, now. What kind of sight is that and where would one obtain a copy? THANX..........

crazyphil · #70 01-02-2019, 04:35 AM

Took me back to my elk hunts in the late 1950s in Montana.
Wish I could tell my stories like Dave does, they stir up the
memories.

S&W38 · #71 01-22-2019, 12:21 AM

keith44spl:
Reading your elk hunting story today brings as much pleasure as when I read it the first time. You earned that bull, and your revolver earned her ivories!

Old 44 Guy · #72 01-22-2019, 04:07 AM

Great story. Reminds me of hunting in Idaho with a good bunch of guys back in the '50's. I've owned & shot a 44 Special since then. Never got an Elk but 5 bucks with the old sixgun thru the years. Now at advanced age she's a safe queen.

Mule Packer · #73 01-22-2019, 01:08 PM

I've said this before, but I'll say it again. Ol' Dave has a real way with words. His "Tall Tales and Steep Trails" stories were the thing that got me hooked on this forum in the first place.

Dave, if by some chance you happen to read this, it's time you added a few more stories. Thanks.

ericrlarson · #74 01-22-2019, 02:20 PM

Awesome story! I can picture a movie!! I loved hearing about the engraved 27 going to work.

Thank you,
Eric

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

keith44spl · #75 01-22-2019, 02:43 PM

Chip,

I'll be cobblin' on one shortly.....Mabee, there's more to flying a plane than jest
getting 'er cranked up and headed down a cow path in the back pasture.

Or how not to crack-up a borrowed 172 story.

.

Mule Packer · #76 01-22-2019, 06:34 PM

Like I said, Dave, you have a way with words. When I first read some of your stories six years ago, I thought to myself, "I don't know who this good ol' boy is, but I know for a fact that we must be kindred spirits!"

Then, after reading some of the replies to your posts from other forum members, I realized that there were a lot of folks on this forum cut from the same cloth. That's when I decided to join. That was almost six years ago and I've never regretted it.

keith44spl · #77 05-30-2020, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule Packer

Like I said, Dave, you have a way with words. When I first read some of your stories six years ago, I thought to myself, "I don't know who this good ol' boy is, but I know for a fact that we must be kindred spirits!"

Then, after reading some of the replies to your posts from other forum members, I realized that there were a lot of folks on this forum cut from the same cloth. That's when I decided to join. That was almost six years ago and I've never regretted it.

Thanks Chip,

.

Kurusu · #78 05-30-2020, 08:26 AM

Is an ol' thread that I am glad it was revived.

It predates my entering this fine forum, and I had missed it entirely.

Glad I could get to read it and...

Thank you Keith44spl for posting it in the first place.

Mighty fine reading.

Bugkiller99 · #79 05-30-2020, 12:27 PM

You see some of the zombie threads, and it makes you want to wonder what was someone thinking.
Then you see this one. Makes you pour a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and slowly read and enjoy it like an old classic.

6518John · #80 05-30-2020, 12:39 PM

Stories like this are timeless. Especially in these times when the world seems hell-bent on pulling itself apart at the seams. What a joy and comfort to read something like this.

Edited to add—My 15 year old says, “when I grow up I want to be like Dave Keith! I said, “when I grow up I want to be like Dave Keith too!”

LittleCooner · #81 05-31-2020, 08:15 AM

Great story and well written. thanks for pulling up the old thread. Yes, this stuff never gets old and what a way to drink coffee and get going on a slow Sunday Morning. Making me want to think I still have the stamina left in this old bones to make another trip to the Rockies to chase the big Elk.

GUNMIKE · #82 05-31-2020, 11:28 AM

Liked the story, the first time. Just as enjoyable again. Thanks.

PALADIN85020 · #83 05-31-2020, 11:43 AM

Dave, I enjoyed reading your story all over again, and love the S&W 27/.44 Special. Beautiful gun.

I have a number of .44 Special guns, but seeing yours made me want to go and caress this particular one. Its a 24-3, bought years ago because Skeeter thought it would be a good idea. It shoots straight, hits hard, carries well, is easier on the hand than a .44 mag, and just looks awful nice.

I haven't slain any bull elks with it, but it's chewed up many a tin can at impressive distances. Just knowing it's in my keep gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, you know?

Keep the stories coming, my friend. You do have the knack.

John

Eddie Southgate · #84 01-24-2022, 07:39 PM

Dave,

How about reposting some of the missing pictures from this thread . I am always thrilled to see your leather work and regret not getting to see the rig you "Cobbled Up" for the 27. Loved the story , please do more of them.

vonn · #85 01-24-2022, 10:56 PM

Your story brought back some the freezing cold hunts I have been on. Nice job and thanks.