UPDATE!!
Since
writing the first piece about this revolver, I have taken the knife to an
expert in Raton, NM for appraisal. It is a Navajo-made piece, with an
estimated value of $450.
This exquisite sixgun, knife, sheath and presentation case was sold at auction on Gunbroker.com
on August 15th, 2005. The auction netted $3,156.31 for the
Shootists' charitable work. Our sincere appreciation to the successful
bidder, and to all who bid.
Performing my arduous duties shooting and writing about guns for
Gunblast.com, I come across some interesting firearms from time to time. I
find just about any quality firearm to be interesting to me, especially if
it shoots well. Rarely, I get to see and handle an unusual specimen of a
firearm; having features that really set it apart from the crowd. Then,
even more rarely, a really extraordinary firearm will cross my path, one
which is the epitome of the gun makers’ art. The subject of this piece is
such a firearm.
This custom revolver was built on an original 1961 Ruger
Flattop .44 Magnum frame, and retains the original chambering. The
work was performed by Master Gunsmith Milton Morrison, owner and
president of Qualite’ Pistol & Revolver (QPR) in Colorado.
Milt builds custom revolvers and high quality parts for discriminating
shooters, and built this particular revolver as a one-of-a-kind showpiece
that was presented to the Shootists.
For those who are unfamiliar with The Shootists, a brief summary might be
in order. The Shootists are a small group of like-minded individuals from
all walks of life and diverse occupations who, for the last twenty years,
have gathered once per year to shoot, talk, fellowship, and share
experiences and new ideas. They are a select group, and membership is by
invitation only. Besides some very fine gentlemen of whom you have never
heard, they also include a few who are legendary in the firearms community.
They are a group of men of whom I would trust any one of them to watch my
back, my wallet, or my child. They could be described best as, like they
say in their mission statement, someone you could "ride the river
with", and I am proud that they have chosen to include me in their
ranks.
Back to the firearm, it wears a beautifully casehardened frame that retains
the original Micro rear sight that is matched to a dovetailed post front
sight mounted at the end of the gorgeous nine inch half-hexagon/half-round
barrel. This style of barrel looks as stunning on this revolver as it does
on the fine old leverguns of the nineteenth century. The grip frame is of
QPR manufacture, made of solid brass, and fitted with black micarta grips.
The rest of the metal on the sixgun is finished in Milt’s high luster Black
Diamond bluing. The gun has a steel ejector rod housing, locking
base pin, and bull's-eye ejector rod head. The left side of the barrel is
marked in script: "Shootists". There are 18-carat inlaid gold bands around
the rear of the cylinder and just ahead of the transition from hexagon to
round on the barrel. It is exquisite!
Along with the sixgun is a mysterious custom knife, the maker of which is
unknown, that displays beautiful craftsmanship in its design and execution.
The revolver and knife are packaged in a beautiful display case.
This one-of-a-kind custom package is to be placed on auction in about one
month, and we will place a link to that auction here on Gunblast. In the
meantime, enjoy the pictures and start saving your coins. It is one of the
finest examples of the gun makers art that I have ever handled!
To learn more about The Shootists, you can check out their website at:
www.shootists.com.
For more information on Milt Morrison’s QPR parts and services, check him
out online at: www.qpr-inc.com.
Jeff Quinn
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