Colt & Remington Classics Of The American West Cased Set

Ask anyone to name two guns from the Old West, and you'll likely hear these. The Colt Single Action Army was the cowboy's sidearm. The Remington double derringer was the gambler's ace, the gun that rode in a vest pocket until the card game went bad. This set puts them side by side, dressed to match.

The Colt is covered in deep scroll from muzzle to grip frame. It isn't light surface work. The cuts have real depth, and the bright high points pop against the dark blued steel. Gold line inlay frames every panel. The cylinder carries engraved cartridge vignettes between the flutes, with gold bands at each end. A gold rampant colt sits on the left side of the frame, and the hammer, trigger, base pin, and screws all shine in gold. The frame still shows the old three-line patent dates, a detail that points to early production. The ivory grips have warmed to a soft honey tone.

The Remington follows the same plan at a smaller scale. Its stacked barrels wear matching scrollwork and gold borders, and the latch and hinge are gold-finished. Turn it over and the backstrap carries a little verse that begins, "I am a wicked two fanged snake in your vest pocket carried." It's a fitting line for a gun built to settle arguments at arm's length.

The case is where the theme comes together. It's carved oak with a fan of playing cards on the lid, aces and eights, the hand Wild Bill Hickok is said to have held when he was shot in Deadwood. A Morgan silver dollar is set into each corner. Inside, burgundy velvet holds both guns, a brass plaque, and a full kit of Colt-marked accessories with matching ivory-tone handles. "Classics of the American West" is carved into the back panel, and the name E. G. Glover is cut into the front.

It's a display piece first. Open the lid, and it does all the talking.