Flat Gate w/stags

[radicalrod]

Red Wing MN was the home town of Dale and Gwen Dalbotten......Dale was 135LBS of gun trading muscle....he always had low number guns and stag grips by the dozen.....The basement was his hideaway lovingly called the DUNGEON.....Me and Mrs Radical visited them on our Rare Ruger Road Trips in the Ruger chaser.....one year we stopped at the home of RED EAGLE NEWS meet Dave and Chad , Red Wing Dale and Gwen , and Pingree ND Jerry and Gladys.....then on the way home we did a detour to a town in Il and somehow ended up with a pair of consecutive LWSC guns too....what good times with good friends.....too many stories to share....even meet Hawkeye28 at a local show....

[Jwhardin]

Thanks Rod, remember Dale well, way high energy, still have some good stuff from him.

What was the story with bourbon in his oxygen tank?

[JussBad]

If Rod doesn't mind here are a few pictures of the "Dungeon" - was lucky to visit many times and did some good old horse trading down there. I would haul in .44 Flattops and leave with .357 Flattops amongst other things...Good times for sure. Some pictures of the days down the stairs. Note the laminated RENE Guide on the table by the flattops. Had to use that to help barter with Dale. It was fun albeit tiring.

[JussBad]

Couple more pictures:
Picture of Dale in front of the Caddy. We left Red Wing early in the morning heading to Tulsa. Dale was driving the first leg. Not more than 20 miles out of town we hit a doe. You can still see the hair/hyde lodged in the headlight. Next night in Tulsa we were at Hooters and Dale was telling the waitress that his oxygen line was really Bourbon... got a real laugh and of course the waitress staff was liking Dale. We could see the front of the Caddy in the parking lot and people walking by pointing at the front end as the hyde was still lodged in the headlight area. Lots of good times. Really miss Dale and our daily phone calls. Thanks for bringing this up Rod. There are certainly many stories...

[JussBad]

[JAYDAWG]

Dungeon, hell, that looks like presidential suite of the castle!!
Great story and pictures.
Thanks @JussBad for posting.
More Ruger lore from the "old timers"

Cheers,
Jay

[LDB]

Really cool! I especially love the wood grips array. Nothing better than beautiful wood grips. Wish all the books were turned to read titles. (and eyes were good enough to do so)

[radicalrod]

Thanks for the picks Gary....I had a flip phone back then and didn't know how to take pictures....
Sure brings back the memories yes he was the toughest guy you ever tried to make a deal with
Remember it took 3 days in Tulsa to get him to sell me a consecutive numbered 7 1/2" 44. I offered him $900 and finally on Sunday afternoon Donny said Dale sell that man your $650 dollar gun for $1000 I'm tired of listening to you whine As always Donny was the voice of reason... .I still have that pair

[flattop44]

Old Dale, I too sure miss him. I got to visit him once and sure enjoyed the basement. He had some great 44s.
FT44/Bill

[JussBad]

I have more pictures if y'all would like to see them.