The .44 Spl. and The Scapegoat Mtn. Bull

keith44spl · #1 07-11-2009, 05:20 PM

Seein' how there's a whole gaggal of new members and all.
Hope you all enjoy this as much as I enjoy tellin' it.

Part One.

Tall Tales & Steep Trails.

The .44Spl and The Scapegoat Mountain Bull.

by Capt. D. Keith
All rights reserved

Snow was bankin’ up against the door on the north end of the cabin. The view from the small four pane window gave a glimpse of the mountains
that stood guard over the southern entrance to the ‘Bob’. The Hobnail Tom Trail, named after one of Montana’s great legendary wilderness guides Tom Edwards.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, a hard land of extreme beauty and adventure.

Having straightened up the kitchen, I made my way to the barn and built myself a fire in the sheepherders stove. It was gettin’ warmer in the gear room now, I pulled off my heavy coat, unhitched my gunbelt and rolling it around the holstered Smith & Wesson. It’s ivory handles startin’ to yellow with a little checkin’ on the butt ends. Even though she’s riding in a newer rig now, with engraving covering her shapely lines, it’s still a tool of the trade. I laid the .44 Special on the work bench, under the window. Looking out at the snow flakes swirlin' so, them ol' memories came flooding back like the water that cascades below Falls Point near the trail.

I believe it was in the fall of ’88.
What had started many months before, the planning, the shoeing of the pack stock, repair of equipment and the anticipation of another adventure. As I recall it was unusually mild weather when we packed that camp into the Scapegoat, every thing falling into place, camp was up and squared away with supplies. The cook and wrangler were un-packing their rifles, bedrolls and other needed gear.

I arrived back in camp with another load of hay and grain for the horses and mules, Ronnie the cook met me as I was unsaddling my horse, “Listen to this here weather report” handing me the small transistor radio. It was calling for snow in the upper elevations, a front coming in from the coast. “Another run to the trailhead tomorrow for hay?” he queried. I just answered with a nod. “Well better pick-up some more canned good.” he stated in a matter of fact tone.
I knew even the packer don’t sass the cook if he wants things to run smooth.

That evening, by the glow of the hissing gas lantern I wiped the hay dust off the recoil shield and around the hammer, rubbing an oily rag from my kit over the steel frame, cylinder and short 3 ½” barrel. I carefully wiped the cartridges on my shirt tail, each one a handload with their hard cast bullet shiny against the brass cases. While loading the cylinder up and kinda thinking aloud, she sure has been a goodin’. This Smith 44 Special, a blue worn model 27, long before converted to that chambering. Turning in early I couldn’t help but think, that revolver has been on many adventure and hundreds of miles a horseback. And with that thought, sleep came easy.

It seemed like only a few minutes had past when the old familiar clatter of the wind-up alarm clock stirred me from my slumber. Rising on wool socked feet, I made my way to the stove, opened up the damper while reaching for a stick of wood so laboriously cut with an old cross-cut saw just a day or two before. The cook and wrangler stirring now, this high country camp was coming to life. I could smell the coffee beginin’ boiling as we grained and saddled the pack mules, I told the young man that had taken on the chore of wrangling the stock, “Son, you go on in to breakfast, I’m fixin’ to saddle my pony and I’ll be on in directly.”

Finished with the morning meal of eggs and country ham, you know the salt cured kind imported directly from Tennessee, with spooned out ‘cathead’ biscuits and washed down with strong black coffee. Now that’s the real breakfast of champions.

I was busy lining out the pack mules and just mounted my bay horse when the cook summoned me as I turned to leave out. “Here you might want this before you get back.” He handed me something rolled up in a rag that look every bit like an old sock. I could smell the ham, taking an impolite peek, inside was two biscuits stuffed with the savory meat. With a quick glance and a, “Thank ya kindly.” I was outta camp and on down the trail.

Arriving back just about dusty dark with snow flakes the size of half dollars falling pretty steady, I was greeted by the wrangler. “See any thing from the trail?” I shook my head, upon seeing his disappointment I replied, “Oh, just a little band of cows, calves and a pretty good 5X5 bull that’s all.” We all had high hopes that this hunt would be a successful one. If this snow drives any of them old bulls out of that black timber and down lower maybe, just maybe…

As we were preparing to turn in for the night, the snow was getting heavier and the wind was picking up, “I sure hope you boys picked a good ridge pole.” I said to anyone that was listening. Unrolling my wooly chaps and placing them between my cot and bed roll hoping to keep the cold from coming up from the dirt floor of our canvas home.

Taking the oily rag and caressing the big Smith, it was smooth and cold to the touch. Placing her back in the hand tooled holster and rolling the cartridge belt around it, I tucked it under my goose down bag, laying the butt within easy reach, with the flashlight by her side. I’d saw some big bear sign near camp only a few days before. I guess looking back I should’ve laid the .348 Winchester out as well.

Awaken to the wind whipping the tent flap and the stove huffin’ like a steam engine, I fumbled with the flashlight and pocket watch, 3:30. Reaching over and flipping the little lever on the back of the alarm clock, just to keep the rattling chime from startling the morning. Stoked up the stove without getting too much smoke in the tent, put the coffee pot on to boil. The night before the cook had thrown in a hand full of coffee on top of the old grounds and filled the pot with water, she was ready to go. I took a look outside, still snowing hard, wind blowing about 20 knots and about a foot and a half of new white stuff on the ground.

Continued below...

keith44spl · #2 07-11-2009, 05:21 PM

Part. Two

The stock had been turned loose the evening before and would be showing up in camp pretty soon for some hay. I’d corralled my bay pony in a stand of big timber behind camp out of the wind for the night. While the cook prepared breakfast, I retrieved my hat and gun belt to take a look around. Gatherin’ a nose bag of feed and a few flakes of hay, as a I neared the stand of timber I could hear that horse kinda stompin’ around and when I stepped up to him, he had them rollers going in his nose, acting all broncy and such.
I guess on account of the weather, you know how ol’ cow ponies can be. He stuck his head in that bag of feed without any fuss. Finished with the grain, I hayed him good and returned to the tent and the fire. “You boys gonna brave this blizzard to chase the elk?” smiling as I said it. Their look said it all.
Say, “You boys bring a deck o’ cards or you just going to whittle some shavin’s for the stove all day?” After a week of packing in I thought a holiday was in order, my attempt at a little humor was not well received.

After playing cards, whittling, each one takin’ his turn at tellin’ a tall tale.
Had a lunch of rat cheese and crackers and all seemed well. Except my mules and the riding horses hadn’t came into camp and it was the middle of the afternoon. Getting kinda curious as what might be keeping ‘em. “Believe...I’m going to ride out a ways and see what those knot heads are up to.” I stated while hitchin' up my gunbelt, glancing a the Winchester lying on my duffel bag thinkin’ my scabbard under the equipment tarp buried under all that snow, instead on on my saddle, oh well.

The wind had pretty much laid and it wasn’t snowing nearly as hard as it had been earlier. Not to bad really, the stuff was light and powdery, the kinda snow skiers like. The bay horse was making it ok, we cut some sign about a mile out of camp where our horses and mules had cross the trail not too long ago. We're trackin’ them girls along there just as pretty as you please, not too far behind ‘em now. Dug around in the saddle bag and found my field glasses, a pair of Zeiss 8X with the green rubber on them.
Glassin’ off in the direction the tracks were headed. No mules.
Follow tracks farther, it’s as fresh as rat sign in a sugar bowl. Glass some more, wait there, that ain’t no mule. That’s, a bull elk and a darn good one. Reach down for rifle…

Hell fire, lost rifle. Think, dang it, broke my own cardinal rule, never leave camp without a rifle. Big bull 150 yards on little bench pawing in snow, think, come on now, need a plan. Got Smith & Wesson revolver in .44 Special, good handload of 250 grain hard cast SWC heavy load of 2400. Turn horse around, duck behind low bank outta sight of bull, step down and tie horse to nearest tree. Check revolver, loaded, so far so good. Take glasses and ease around the bank. Bull’s still there. Glass terrain for stalk, pretty good cover, some big rocks and blow downs. Check wind, coming to me, should be able to smell bull. Look back at my horse, he watchin’ me, putting a finger to lips and whisper ‘shush’, I don’t know why, just didn’t want him to nicker at me I guess.

I’m low crawlin’ in this snow from rock to rock, stopping to glass, yeah he’s still there just makin' a living, uncovering a little grass. Drop down crawl some more, stop behind big ol’ rock, about the size of a voltswagon car. Don’t need glasses, bull standing broad side at thirty five or forty yards, damn he’s big. Draw Smith, damn it’s small, think now, hell they shoot elk with arrows. I’m in good position, in range and got a .44 Special. Just rest your forearms on the rock, cock the hammer back, front sight right behind the shoulder, that’s it squeeze…

Couldn’t find mules, caught one of the guys horses, long cold *** ride back to camp.
Cook comes out to meet me, ”Find the mules, did ya?” “No, but I found your horse. I need a cup of coffee”, to Joe the wrangler I says, “Young man, feed and saddle Ronnie’s horse for him.”

“Well, what the hell’s going on?” he quizzed. I sezs, “You ain’t gonna believe this, you know all that shootin’ we’ve done over the years?”
Ron is lookin’ over his steamin’ cup, “What about it?”
“You ever know me to miss anything as big as a yearling steer?” I sorta whispered. “No, why the twenty questions?” The cook asked, a little peeved now. To which I replied, “Well, I didn’t miss today neither, I got a good bull down over in that draw, kinda where the trail crosses at the foot of Scapegoat.

Shot him clean through broadside at about forty yards. He wheeled and ran straight towards me, pop’d him again in the chest at less than twenty steps. And that was all she wrote. He’s a layin’ up there just a waitin’ to be skin’t and quartered. You comin’ or just gonna hang around camp and drink coffee the rest of the day?”

And Boys that’s how my .44 Spl won her Ivories.

My bull now hangs out on the veranda at the ranch in Texas.

.

(All pictures came from my personal photo album)

Raider · #3 07-11-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith44spl

And Boys that’s how my .44 Spl won her Ivories.

A first class story about a grand revolver. I love the 44 specials too. Thanks!

Charlie

mod29 · #4 07-11-2009, 06:18 PM

Love to read stories like that. Thanks!

-Jim

PALADIN85020 · #5 07-11-2009, 06:43 PM

Great story! In the same league with Skeeter Skelton, for sure. Thanks!

j38 · #6 07-11-2009, 10:14 PM

What a great story - very well written! That .44 is still a beauty. You can post photos of it again anytime you want.

Thanks,

Jerry

ditrina · #7 07-12-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

Great story! In the same league with Skeeter Skelton, for sure. Thanks!

Skeeter may be passed.. but his spirit and talent lives on in keith44spl.

Thanks for a great adventure..
Sal

GLL · #8 08-04-2009, 11:31 PM

I remember the original thread well !

Thank you for reposting it !

Great stuff !

Jerry

peyton · #9 10-29-2009, 12:41 PM

I enjoyed the story. I have often wanted to hunt in the mountains.

Iggy · #10 10-29-2009, 03:04 PM

Dave,

Great story and a wonderful gun.
Thanks for posting and I look forward to more of your stories.

Regards,
Iggy

ddixie884 · #11 12-18-2011, 10:45 PM

Thanks, Dave...

jubela#4 · #12 12-19-2011, 10:43 AM

Great story sir, I love reading tales like that.

Abbynormal · #13 12-19-2011, 10:05 PM

I grew up reading Skeeters exploits and adventures. Though time and circumstance, I've been able to meet a few that knew him "in the day". While I didn't get the chance to know Skeeter myself, reading every one of his writings and listening to stories about him; I think he would have wanted and would have pestered S&W in his writings for what I feel he would called his favorite handgun: A 5" Mountain Gun wearing his proprietary "Roper" style stocks with a Performance Center action job.

I think S&W missed a bigun' on there!

My 4" MG (629-4) wearing a set of Kurak's round to square butt Coke style conversions and a Verne Trester 3lb single action job is as close as I can come.

BTW: A great story with a very illustrative writing style, by the way!!!!

jlrhiner · #14 12-19-2011, 11:00 PM

Dave, that was great to reread. If you don't write a book, you'll be doing a disservice to all of us lowlanders that may never see a mountain or walk in a Lawman's footsteps.

Iggy · #15 12-19-2011, 11:39 PM

Dave can surely spin a yarn and that's plumb center.

ditrina · #16 12-19-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy

Dave can surely spin a yarn and that's plumb center.

Now you ain't too bad yer own self

hannstv · #17 12-20-2011, 12:43 PM

Thanks to the folks that revisit some of these older threads. Some of the best threads I have read are ones that have been brought back to life. Doesn't do much good to try the search option, you have no idea what will interest you until you start reading!

29aholic · #18 12-20-2011, 12:57 PM

I never get tired of this story, and actually heard it the first time in person from the man himself when we did a little swappin.

Poohgyrr · #19 01-08-2012, 07:55 PM

Great thread, and pics. Great six shooter too. Thanks.

mball · #20 01-08-2012, 09:03 PM

Yeah...I liked it a lot.

Bill_in_fl · #21 05-05-2012, 10:39 PM

I really enjoyed reading your story. Made me feel like I was there. Love your revolver, ivories and leather too. Wish I didn't live in Fl where it's usually flat and our woods aren't the kind of woods I'd like and are more often than not swamps full of mosquitoes and cottonmouths. No elk around here and the deer you see are usually kinda small to medium except for the rare occasional big buck. Best hunting around here is wild hog. Always wanted to live out west so I could poke around the beautiful countryside and hunt and shoot out there. Been there to visit, but never got to just poke around the countryside with a revolver and rifle. Sure would like to do that out west one day before my already bad knees go totally south on me or before I pass on.

.

TACC1 · #22 05-06-2012, 01:35 AM

That made some excellent reading, thanks a lot.
TACC1

chud333 · #23 05-05-2012, 10:58 PM

Dave,
That's a beautiful sidearm and a great story to go with it.
Wished there was more stories of these kind of adventures.
The hunt is only a small portion of a camp experience as
evidenced by your writing.

Chuck

Iggy · #24 12-01-2015, 04:22 PM

That story brings back a lot of hunting trips.. I always enjoy reading it.

Remember one trip where a bear came through camp. The horses left right quick.
Had to hire a plane to find them. 5 miles from camp. Walked the 5 miles to get them then ride'm back bare back.
Got a bull though.

rburg · #25 12-01-2015, 11:35 PM

Well, I remember it from the last time or two it was up. But I still don't know if the darn fool mules and other horses came back to camp or ended up starving or becoming bear food. Stupid bear should have been sleeping. The darn mules would have been a big help getting the quarters back to camp. Just like them to lay low until the work was done.

Haven't seen Dave in a while now. Seems he's on a different schedule at the gun shows. Gotta figure out when he's showing up.

keith44spl · #26 12-02-2015, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rburg

Well, I remember it from the last time or two it was up. But I still don't know if the darn fool mules and other horses came back to camp or ended up starving or becoming bear food. Stupid bear should have been sleeping. The darn mules would have been a big help getting the quarters back to camp. Just like them to lay low until the work was done.

Haven't seen Dave in a while now. Seems he's on a different schedule at the gun shows. Gotta figure out when he's showing up.

Dick,

Well the rest of the short story.....

Got ol bull skint and quartered, hunted up pack stock and
caught the mules, went back to camp saddled two of the
mules and got every thing back to camp shortly after midnight and nobody got kilt.

Su Amigo,
Dave

boykinlp · #27 12-02-2015, 01:05 PM

I can believe I missed this thread the other times it came up! Great story and pictures, but Dave's telling is so good that I could have pictured it all in my mind without his pictures!!!

Old TexMex · #28 12-01-2015, 11:50 PM

Dave, you're a bard. I'm grateful you brought that tale back up for us to enjoy. I'm proud to call you friend.
Su amigo,
Jim

wbraswell · #29 12-02-2015, 02:45 PM

This may very well have been the thread that made me notice Dave Keith on this forum. Glad you brought it back up, Dave.

Dennis · #30 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 · #31 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.

kthom · #32 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 · #33 12-29-2018, 05:07 PM

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

Poohgyrr · #34 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 · #35 12-30-2018, 12:48 AM

What a brilliantly told tale.

Nicely done, Dave.

Frank V · #36 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.

Ole Joe Clark · #37 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 · #38 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 · #39 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 · #40 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 · #41 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 · #42 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 · #43 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 · #44 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 · #45 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 · #46 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 · #47 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 · #48 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 · #49 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 · #50 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.