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Post by wildwillalaska on Aug 8, 2012 1:11:31 GMT -5
I didn't think this one was ever going to arrive--thankfully it finally did. My sweet little single-digit serial Border Special. Somewhat special gun for me--at least for a while. About ten years ago I got the TLA bug pretty bad and had amassed a few fine examples starting with a cool little improved #5 I rescued for a song from a dealer at a gun show in Texas--didn't even have it on the table since it was missing the grips and made me a sweet deal. Cubrock says something special about the gun, think he's right and apparently will have to buy the book to know what it is. Anyway, tastes change as do family needs and I sold off all my TLA's--sadly this included a beautiful .41 mag West Texas Flat Top which I understand is now in awonderfully safe new home--so that is always satisfying--and a single digit #5 that I never heard of again. Through it all, I had the chance to fondle and pass on a couple full coverage engraved #5 and SAA that were nickled and wore carved ivory stocks. But the #1 model that held my interest the most and I was never able to my grubby hands on was the Border Special, so when this littl beaut came along, I simply couldn't pass it up. No range report, only a crummy iPhone pic from my front seat as I left the dealer with it. Hope to shoot it tomorrow and will post how it barks. Will also try to get a couple decent pictures of the gun itself--and the other side grip panel which has lovely figure.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,841
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Post by cubrock on Aug 8, 2012 9:18:31 GMT -5
Very nice! Did you fill out a data sheet on this one? I'd love to have one, especially since it is single digit. Serial numbers don't tell a whole lot a tale with TLAs, since Grover often number guns sequentially. However, sometimes they do and single digit guns don't come available for inspection often.
If I had to guess, though, based on what I see in the one pic, this one is probably a mid-90s gun.
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ChiefTJS
.30 Stingray
Posts: 428
Member is Online
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Post by ChiefTJS on Aug 8, 2012 9:43:47 GMT -5
You certainly have a prize there!!
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Post by agrizz on Aug 8, 2012 10:10:11 GMT -5
When Bill first started to take orders for the revolvers you could order what ever serial number you wanted on the gun's. The date of manufacture may have been a year or two later.
I always like the look of that gun however I could never shoot it for some reason. It seemed to roll in my hand and not with any consistancy. So my bullets went all over the place.
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Post by kings6 on Aug 8, 2012 10:15:57 GMT -5
You lucky dog you! ;D You are right, I know where the 41 FT Target lives and it is nice and dry and warm next to a #5 Improved 41.
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Post by Boge Quinn on Aug 8, 2012 10:56:31 GMT -5
I was proud to be that 41's caretaker for a while, and send it on to a better man!
I LOVE my Border Special, it's one of the last sixguns I'd ever part with with which I'd ever part.
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Post by wheelyfun45 on Aug 8, 2012 18:31:51 GMT -5
WOW! I am a newbie to the rich world of specialized custom Single Action revolvers...but am learning new things every day on this forum. thanks for sharing!
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Post by bigboredad on Aug 8, 2012 20:39:35 GMT -5
wow that is super cool and I have never ever seen a TLA in person what a sweet little one that is
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on Aug 8, 2012 21:41:57 GMT -5
I am not trying to be "smart" but are there "shooter grade" TLA's?
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,841
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Post by cubrock on Aug 8, 2012 22:28:09 GMT -5
I am not trying to be "smart" but are there "shooter grade" TLA's? There are a few, but most TLAs are found unfired, or nearly so. I am proud to own a TLA that I have made shooter grade with carry and use. I rarely go hunting without it on my hip.
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on Aug 8, 2012 22:38:12 GMT -5
I was wondering since I havent seen a picture of one that looked handled much less fired on here.
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Post by Boge Quinn on Aug 9, 2012 8:38:24 GMT -5
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Post by Boge Quinn on Aug 9, 2012 8:43:52 GMT -5
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,841
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Post by cubrock on Aug 9, 2012 10:30:23 GMT -5
Hank Williams, Jr. owned one of the first TLAs and put a goodly amount of wear on it, but pictures of that gun will wait for the book. Here is my first TLA, which I got from Will. It was a problem child at first (and still is in some ways, but Grover was still figuring some things out on guns this early and it is what it is), but I've put a good bit of wear on it carrying it. It is my go-to hunting handgun.
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