ELMER KEITH'S SPECIAL .44 FLATTOP

[flattop44]

Gary, matter of fact I did shoot it! I put a few .44 Specials through it just so I could say that I had shot the same old .44 Flattop that Elmer did! It shot great!
Bill

[JussBad]

That sounds great Bill. I believe I would have done the same thing. A great tribute.

[Cal]

Hello Bill, This is quite a flattop. I believe the grip work done on this flattop in this is the work of Don Mihaljevic, who was Elmer's last gunsmith before Elmer Keith passed. He lived in Salmon and did a few of these back in the old days and is now passed also. I have seen another one exactly like this but a different caliber owned by a very famous person who may not want to be mentioned. He was friends with Elmer and he said Elmer turned him on to this gunsmith and he had some built on old model blackhawks with brass frames and those exact grips just like Elmers. Elmer also had some built himself on blackhawks with adding the brass and grips. If I remember correctly a 41 mag and 45Cal Blackhawk he had worked over by Don. I believe I also read online that John Taffin has also stated that Don did the work on the one you have and the grips are Sheep horn not cow horn as first thought in the auction. Pretty exciting to have Elmers congratulations.

[flattop44]

Cal, thanks for the info especially about the grips being sheep horn. I had heard that Don was Elmer's smith who probably fitted the brass frame and grips. I picked up a boxed grip frame that had never been fitted to a gun that was sent to Don from Sturm, Ruger Co. in 1972. Check out the pics.
FT44/aka Bill

[mdorton]

You are my Hero!

[Brass Frame]

Bill, that is one neat boxed brass frame. You deserve it to stay with your Keith gun! Congrats. brass frame/Lee E

[Cal]

Very Nice, Thanks for posting it.

[RugerfanAustria]

congratulations Bill I like the Flattops in general but I'm also a big fan of the 44 caliber. Thank you for sharing this piece of history with us.

[Rugerologist]

Bill, that's a piece of history and a beautiful one at that. I just started reading Hell I was There. Chief AJ gave me the copy that Mr. Keith sent him with a personalized message and autograph. Half of my brain understands why you shot it and the other half is blown away that you did!

[flattop44]

I reallly enjoyed shooting it, I visualized old Elmer and Don Martin were there with me throwing lead down range!!
Bill