Dale Evans revolver a Smith and Wesson?

[canoeguy]

Watched a Roy Rogers/Dale Evans movie yesterday, "Twilight in the Sierra's", filmed in 1950. Quite an entertaining film, set in the 1950's. Roy Rogers had two Colt Single Action revolvers, while Dale had what appeared to be a nickle Smith and Wesson M&P or .32 Hand Ejector. Anybody know for sure?

I had never seen a Roy Rogers movie before, his horse Trigger was a fine looking animal.

I understand Roy Rogers was quite the gun collector, apparently he had an extensive collection of Winchester rifles....

 

[gunlovingirl]

I believe there was a recent thread about one of Roy's revolvers that was selling at auction. A friend of mine, along with his sister and brother, were named after Roy and Dale. They all had a first or middle name of Roy, Dale, or Roger. His mother adored Roy and Dale. Last year I ran across a Roy Rogers neckerchief, autographed by Roy, along with the ticket to the show that the owner kept when he got the item. If I remember right, it was dated 1952, the year of my friend's birth. I gave it to him for Christmas last year.

 

[Kid Sopris]

Early in Dale's and Roy's careers the movie studio Prop Guys would give them what ever they had. Dale usually had a double action Colt but it is also possible that what you saw was in fact a S&W. I will watch the movie. I asked Dusty, (Roy Jr), this very same question at our last meeting while attending the Happy Trails Children's Foundation Fund Raiser.

Most assuredly Dusty replied, "I don't remember".

I have numerous pictures showing Dale with several different revolvers and with different grips, But she favored the Ivory Grip Colt (Lighter weight).

I have another email out to a close friend who is also close to the Roger's family and has most of the history on the family. I hope he can shed more light on the subject.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

She carried a Colt Police Positive with a dummy ejector rod attached. It's the only one I seen her use.

 

[Kid Sopris]

What Wyatt said:

 

[canoeguy]

Well, a Colt Police Positive...

A nice revolver and holster rig. Watching that movie yesterday made me think of calling up El Paso Saddlery and ordering a double holster rig with floral carved belt for two 4" M&P's....

And I don't even own a hat or pair of cowboy boots!

 

[HAWKEYE10]

That picture of Roy & Dale sure bring back memories. Don

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Very cool photos and information about Dale's gun. I didn't realize how petite she was. This also shows the creativity of the prop guys.

Regards,

Dave

 

[feralmerril]

The roy roggers museum was at apple valley then moved to victorville. I am not sure but I think I heard it is now at branson. I lived in the area and been to it about four times way back. There was a lot of guns on display. I was dissapointed that it seemed they werent well maintained in the museum. I used to work with a guy who was roys neighbor and a close friend to him in apple valley. Roy had given him a colt of triggers, and other people that lived near him told me he kept him in the house!

 

[Evil Dog]

Yes, the Victorville, Ca museum location is now a car dealership.... the museum itself (or what's left of it) moved to Branson a few years back.

 

[Kid Sopris]

SADLY the Museum is Closed. Roy and Dale's instructions to Dusty were if the Museum stops being productive, then close it and auction off the items. Most of that has been done.

Dusty and the High Riders still perform in Branson, but during the winter it's not as often.

Most of what is collectible is now out there among the private collectors. There is a few items held by the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Happy Trails Children's Foundation, for abused children, which can be had for significant contributions.

 

[mjr]

Quite a few Western B-movie heroines used smaller-framed Colt and S&W DA revolvers.

This site Movies (aka WantedCowgirls.com) has hundreds of movie posters and stills from old westerns. If you want to plow through them, you'll find some pictures of cowgirls with DA revolvers.

In this scene from Renegade Girl, (1946), Ann Savage and her opponent both appear to be armed with DA Colts. (This may be because the movie is set in Missouri during the Civil War, and the prop department felt Colt SAAs would be anachronisms. )
(Scene starts around 2:01 minutes into the clip)
YouTube - Ann Savage Renegade Girl

 

[stonehorses]

I understand Roy Rogers was quite the gun collector, apparently he had an extensive collection of Winchester rifles....

Some of their museum collection was just sold at auction through RIA last month.

"Featuring:
Firearms from the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum
Featuring two exceptional, custom built for Roy Rogers by Winchester,
Model 21 Grand American two-barrel trap shotguns. Other famous and historical firearms associated with Walter Earp, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, William “Bill” Tilghman, Turner Kirkland, John Hart “The Lone Ranger” and Arvo Ojala “Gunsmoke” plus Texas Rangers, Western Sheriffs and more!"

 

[BUCKAWHO]

In the news....

The other day was a story that the Roy Rogers Museum in Branson was to close, and the contents sold off. Apparently not profitable to keep it going. What a sad story, but not many people left who even have memories of just who Roy and Dale were ! Same for Tex, Gene, Hoppy, Tom, Lash, Hoot, etc. BT

 

[Chik a Boom]

According to their website, the museum in Branson closes this December, so there is still time to make a last visit.
Announcement from Roy Rogers Jr.

Hope the legacy of RR & DE live on. You hate to see such fine examples of character fade into the sunset.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

"not a serious collector but acquired dozens of firearms.." Will someone define serious?
I also recall seeing a picture of "Annie Oakley" aka Gail Davis with a pair of S&W M&Ps with dummy ejector rods so they sort of look like Colt SAAs. Enter "Annie Oakley Gail Davis" on Google Images, you'll find that picture.

 

[Alpo]

Look like Colts, to me.

 

[slowburninsteve]

Reminds me of a joke......

This thread reminds me of a really bad joke about Roy, Dale, headlights, and a holster............

Steve

 

[Marksman]

The current editioin of Sports Afield magazine has a color picture of Roy's custom ordered Grand American M/21 shotguns. They're superb examples of Winchester's Custom Shop work, check it out.

 

[feralmerril]

As I said before, I seen the collection at least three times. There were pictures of roy hunting in africa etc. His guns from a lot of hunts were there like winchester 70s, the 21s etc.
I was a little disapointed that it seemed the museum didnt clean them as well as they should have. Just my opinion.
I had a friend that I worked with that was a very close friend with roy and dale, and roy had given him a colt of triggers as I said before. Another friend/co-worker that car pooled with him from victorville/apple valley area swore Dan was keeping the colt in his house at times!
When the museum was in apple valley they even had the 1920s something old roadster that roy came west in. Seems they also had his old jeep "nellybelley" there too. Also a few guns and stuff from other actors like george montgommery and tom mix. Think I seen gabby hayes once there too many years ago.