R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 165
October 9, 2015
Fun Photo Friday — Six Shooter Week
Two Calibers from One Gun . . . Times Two
Today’s Fun Photo Friday I present some favorite shots from my firearms posts of earlier this week. Here is a gallery of the cylinder engraving touted in Wednesday’s post on the Talo Distributor Exlusive Ruger Single-Six Convertible “Cowboy”:
And here’s a second gallery of additional favorites:
Filed under: Firearms, Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker Tagged: Colt 1873, Colt Peacemaker, Fun Photo Friday, photography, R. Doug Wick...
October 7, 2015
Six Shooter Week — Ruger Single-Six Convertible
Ruger Single-Six Convertible Talo Distributor Exclusive
I’m not much into distributor exclusives. There is not much reason in my view to pay extra for a weapon you simply don’t want to shoot and which may not hold much collector value in the long run. This Ruger Single-Six Convertible Talo Distributor Exclusive appears to be the exception. It was just too beautiful a piece to decline.
Ruger Single-Six Convertible case
But this isn’t the only Single-Six you’re going to see today. Despite it’s...
October 5, 2015
Six Shooter Week — Uberti 1873 El Patrón Competition
El Patrón — “The Boss”
Regular readers of my firearms posts may have detected a slight deviation from my usual affinity toward semiautomatics. Lately I’ve come to appreciate the firearms that tamed the Wild, Wild West, particularly Winchester lever actions. Here are a rare pair of consecutively numbered, “Centennial Edition” Winchester Model 1894s, unfired and chambered in .30-30 and .44 Magnum. (see: Winchester Rifles — Part 1 and Winchester Rifles — Part 2)
Centennial Edition Winchester 189...
October 2, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 6 — Courage Under Fire
Battlefield Panorama
In 1996 a rather famous film was made here at Indian Cliffs Ranch. In that film, the ranch because Iraq during Gulf War I. The movie starred Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Matt Damon. It was titled Courage Under Fire. Many of the props used in Courage Under Fire were left behind, and are now full-fledged tourist attractions here at the Indian Cliffs Ranch.
Iraqi heavy armor
Well, not all the hardware here started life as movie props. At some point...
September 30, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 5 — Stepping into the Wild West 1880s
Indian Cliffs Ranch — Member of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Ursula and I boarded the hayride and settled into our seats for the next stage of our post-steak dinner adventure at the world-famous Cattleman’s Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch. Our tractor-pulled, canvas-covered trailer exited the steakhouse area and crossed the road onto the other side of Indian Cliffs Ranch — the time capsule.
Crossing the Road — Thunder Bumpers on the Horizon
Chihuahua Desert vegetation...
September 28, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 4 — Boarding the Hayride
The Rimrock Cliffs that give Indian Cliff Ranch its name
There are two main areas here at Indian Cliffs Ranch. The primary area is home to the Cattleman’s Steakhouse, zoo, and various other features and attractions. Here’s a map (click to enlarge; map key posted below):
Indian Cliffs Ranch — Cattleman’s Steakhouse tour area
1. The world-famous CATTLEMAN’s STEAKHOUSE
2. Bus and R.V. Parking
3. Game Bird Pens
4. Administration, Party Sales
5. HORSEMAN’s CLUB Party Facility
6. HEADQUARTERS Party...
September 25, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 3 — This Place is a ZOO!
Indian Cliffs Ranch Zoo
The history of the Old West is inextricably linked to the cattle of the Old West, as well as the American Bison. And since Indian Cliffs Ranch enjoys capitalizing on their Wild West image, you just know they had to have examples on site.
Posing for a Buffalo Head Nickel?
There are today about a half million American Bison in North America today, of which only 15,000 are free-roaming animals in the wild.
American Bison, a.k.a., “Buffalo”
But compare that to numbers in t...
September 23, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 2 — The approach to Cattleman’s Restaurant
Front gate adornment
Don’t arrive at the entrance gate to Indian Cliffs thinking you’ll go straight to Cattleman’s Steakhouse. Ain’t gonna happen, pardner. There be too much to see along the way.
The road to Cattleman’s Steakhouse
Immediately past the gates you’ll find covered wagons harking back to the Old West:
Covered Wagon
These “Prairie Schooners” are just the beginning of your journey to the Cattleman’s parking lot:
Covered Wagon
Rounding the first turn to the right you’ll stumble upon...
September 21, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 1 — Cattleman’s Steakhouse
Entry gate to Indian Cliffs Ranch and Cattleman’s Steakhouse
About fifty minutes southeast of downtown El Paso, just over an hour from Casa Wicker, situated some six miles north of the Fabens Exit (Exit 49) off I-10, is a working ranch straight out of the Old West. This ranch has been used in many movies, and is home to one of the highest rated steakhouses in the country.
I’m speaking of course of the Indian Cliffs Ranch and their famous Cattleman’s Steakhouse.
Over the next two weeks we’ll b...
September 18, 2015
Fun Photo Friday — 1940 Zella-Mehlis Walther PP
1940 Walther PP
Well, it is firearm week. So of course this week’s Fun Photo Friday had to contain a fun firearm photo session.
1940 Walther PP
It pays to establish a good relationship with your favorite locally owned gun store. It really does. Indeed, for a collector it is vitally important to do so.
Zella-Mehlis roll mark
Part of that bonding is to convey to your dealer your tastes in collecting. In my case, it’s a weakness for all things Walther.
Nazi Germany proof marks
What you see pictu...
