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Post by lscg on Oct 22, 2017 1:33:16 GMT -5
about a year and a half back I had the good fortune of picking up a custom Super Blackhawk from forum member Mike454. when I got the gun Mike told me that the guy he got it from said it was supposed to be an early Bowen gun even though it was not marked as such. Mike even sent pictures to Bowen to which Hamilton replied that he couldn't say for sure but that it was in keeping with the work he was doing 30-35 years ago. I always figured that it probably was a Bowen gun but even if it wasn't that was fine with me. whoever had built it had done an excellent job and my dream of an octagon barreled Sixgun had come true.
fast forward to the other night. Mike sends me a message and in it is a pdf of the July/August 1986 issue of American Handgunner. on page 40/41 there just so happens to be a flyer for a custom Bowen SBH that American Handgunner is giving away. now the serial numbers don't match up but other than that the guns are identical.
Both guns have the same style and length barrel, the same style ERH (both flat topped to match the barrel) both have CCH main frames, action jobs, trigger over travel stops, completely blued hammers and both had Black Micarta grips with the uncommon (for single actions) 3/8" silver medallions. from the serial numbers it looks like both guns were born within a year or so of each other with the giveaway gun being the older one.
it may not be guaranteed proof that my SBH is a Bowen but what are the odds that matching guns would have been built by two different smiths.
here's the giveaway gun on page 40 and 41.
americanhandgunner.com/1986issues/HJA86.pdf
and here's my SBH when I first got it.
and since I like showing her off here's how she looks now.
in some of Doc's handy work.
Many thanks to Mike for seeing that flyer and sending it to me. pretty cool to have it.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 22, 2017 1:41:07 GMT -5
Very nice setup there. Sometimes I wonder if we forum members realize how truly blessed we are.
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Post by lscg on Oct 22, 2017 1:54:25 GMT -5
Very nice setup there. Sometimes I wonder if we forum members realize how truly blessed we are. as some here have said we truly are in the Golden age of the single action. I'm very thankful we have the ability to so easily share information, experiences and sometimes even sixguns.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 22, 2017 2:03:54 GMT -5
Very nice setup there. Sometimes I wonder if we forum members realize how truly blessed we are. as some here have said we truly are in the Golden age of the single action. I'm very thankful we have the ability to so easily share information, experiences and sometimes even sixguns. I'm 53 years old and remember my Dad telling me I was in for a rough life. I truly adore single shot rifles and single action revolvers. In those days, predictions were they were both headed for extinction. Glad that crystal ball didn't get the memo. After three decades of big bore obsession, I'm in the small bore mode. Great to have guys like Fermin and others to share experiences with. Never thought all those years ago I'd sit at my bench and post my chrono and similar results to a WWW with my phone. Golden Age no doubt.
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Post by CraigC on Oct 22, 2017 10:24:18 GMT -5
Beautiful sixgun, I was really tempted by that one!
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Post by contender on Oct 22, 2017 11:27:58 GMT -5
A fine story,, and as noted,,, the plot thickened a little. But,,, once you gather stuff like that,,, it can do nothing but enhance your gun a bit. Nice grips by the way.
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Post by bushog on Oct 22, 2017 11:35:24 GMT -5
That is a really nice revolver.
For a long time I owned a Mark I that BCA did for the first of those giveaways. It was engraved on the top as such.
Came with test targets and all the other paperwork that involved the drawing/winning.
Yet another sent down the road I wish I had back.
Maybe someday.
BTW, What is that gun chambered in?
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Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on Oct 22, 2017 12:43:54 GMT -5
I'd say that's a pretty sweet find right there!!
Congrats. I've always loved that revilver!
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Post by squawberryman on Oct 22, 2017 13:36:58 GMT -5
You used ta be able to buy a brochure form Bowen for three bucks!
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Post by squawberryman on Oct 22, 2017 13:45:58 GMT -5
Hijack alert. The ads in that are awesome. Little ads from Jarvis, Heinie, Ed Brown, etc....
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Post by bula on Oct 22, 2017 17:56:01 GMT -5
The gun shows a nice level of wear. I'd like to hear where its been and what it done.
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Post by Robster on Oct 22, 2017 18:44:51 GMT -5
Awesome sixgun, she looks great!!!!
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Post by JSutter on Oct 22, 2017 19:06:24 GMT -5
Congratulations, on the gun and all the leather. Both look real nice.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Oct 22, 2017 19:09:06 GMT -5
I remember that one well.... would love to have had it 😉 I think your spot on being a bowen. Those grips and leather are NICE!!!
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Post by potatojudge on Oct 22, 2017 20:10:03 GMT -5
Add me to the list that almost pulled the trigger on that one.
I didn't notice the flat top on the ERH. Nice touch, taken a bit farther by our member that made an octagon (I think, may not have been 8 sided) ERH. One more detail to keep in mind.
The Bowen provenance seems convincing and makes for a neat package. Congrats!
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