TLA #5

[J.Johnson]

Last weekend at the gun show in Lincoln, I met an older gentleman that had a TLA #5 in 44 magnum. This is the only TLA that I have ever seen in my life so I was all sorts of excited. I talked with him for some time about it and fondled it as well. The gun was cosmetically rough looking with quite a few (probably 15% of the surface) blemishes in the bluing on the cylinder, cylinder frame, and barrel. I would guess that there was once some light surface rust that had been buffed and oiled off. Mechanically it was sound.

I ended up passing on it because it wasn't something I really "need" or was looking for specifically, and the condition wasn't the best. I like pretty guns. However, it was really cool to actually hold a little piece of sixgun history.

I would like to know a little more on the history of that gun. How many were actually produced, other calibers, stuff like that? Also, I want to know how bad I screwed up!!!! He had it listed for $600. I only had $450 in my wallet, don't currently load for (and don't really want to start loading) 44 mag, and am on a veterinarian student budget so I talked my self out of it. Once I started to look, I saw them going for $2500+ in pristine condition on the internet. Would the cosmetic damage reduce the value that much?

I am now kicking myself really hard and am pretty sure that the guy didn't really know what he had. Did I miss a once in a lifetime deal??????

Thanks in advance,
J.Johnson

 

[contender]

You missed a deal.
We have a member here,,, cubrock,,, who is writing a book on TLA's. He would LOVE to find out any information about any of them out there.
Maybe he'll chime in soon.

 

[Robb Barnes]

Sorry to say it but you did mess up on not getting the TLA. Grovers original plan called for 1000 of the #5's but he never got them all completed. Most were 44 Mags with a few 45 Colts, a few 41 Mags and I believe even a few 357s. True, if the finish was worn it would not be a $2500 gun but someone like Alan Harton can refinish it and you would have had a rare gun at a steal of a price. I have had 4 or 5 of the #5s and the cheapest one was several times the $600 price of the one you saw.

 

[Bob Wright]

Unless you were buying it for an investment, I'd say you did the right thing. I've only seen a handfull of TLA's and each one was as backward and awkward to me as a left handed catcher's mitt.

Bob Wright

 

[Robb Barnes]

I don't know as I would call them awkward or backwards but they do finish up right nice. Both these TLA's are 41 magnums and among my favorites in the 41 group.

Oh I forgot to mention, the first one started out like the following picture before I sent it to Alan to put together and finish.

 

[targetshootr]

He made some awfully nice guns.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Never seen one.

 

[markggtp]

In 25 years of gun shoping ,i've only ever seen 1, it was probably 12+ years ago and it sold for $1800 then! It was a sweet looking gun...

 

[majorKAP]

They're exquisite guns. I've personally never seen one of them for sale that's seen hard use and is well worn like the one you describe. When I do, and if I only have $450 in my pocket, I'm making a quick trip to the ATM for the balance.

 

[Walter Rego]

I would have bought it with the intention of sending it to a real pro (as in expensive but done correctly) for a restoration. I have always wanted one. John Taffin writes about them in his books but as another member has posted further research is being done.

 

[bigbore45colt]

Robb - I didn't know you had a West Texas Flattop Target!!?? That is great. One has been on my list for a while, this was further confirmed when I shot Jim Taylor's gun that Boge now owns.

J. Johnson - you should have bought it, that is a steal. It would be a cool shooter as is.

BB45C

 

[Hondo44]

J. Johnson,

Don't feel too bad, we've all been there, done that a time or two!

As the old german adage goes: "We get too soon old, and too late smart." Or when it comes to gun buying: "We say too soon no, and too late shoulda' bought that." You could have made a couple hundred for your vet student budget by reselling it.

Name and phone, name and phone, name and phone!! I learned a long time ago, always get contact info in case you change your mind or a buddy says; "I've been looking for one of those!"

Last time I went to cubrock's (AKA Stephen Webb) website, he was looking for a rough one for a project IIRC:
http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=208184;article=326326
http://www.sixgun-forums.com/sixguns/content/9-texas-longhorn-arms-improved-number-five
http://www.gunblast.com/Boge_TLA45FT.htm

Oh, and THANK YOU for your service!

 

[J.Johnson]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am really regretting it now. Hopefully I will catch up to this gentleman in a few weeks at another show (fingers crossed).

Hondo44, I will now always be asking for contact info in case I change my mind.

Also, I can see how my original post could be misleading. I have edited it to correct my mistake. I was never in the service. I am in a Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine. I can't in good conscious allow my mistake to be misinterpreted. I will however gladly pass your thanks on to my good friend who did a tour in Afghanistan with the Marine Corp. He was discharged last spring, got married, and started college last fall. We can never thank our veterans enough!!!!!

 

[Hondo44]

No worries. In that case my pup Enzo thx you!

 

[Robb Barnes]

Matt, I actually talked this one away from Boge a couple of years ago. The only reason I pestered him so hard was because it was a 41 Mag. Now if I can find a 41 Mag border special I would be a REALLY happy camper!

 

[cubrock]

Matt, I actually talked this one away from Boge a couple of years ago. The only reason I pestered him so hard was because it was a 41 Mag. Now if I can find a 41 Mag border special I would be a REALLY happy camper!

Well, you and I both know where one is....

 

[k22fan]

I never heard of a TLA. Can one of you share a brief story of the company and their guns?

 

[Hondo44]

k22fan,
The links in my post #12.

 

[bigbore45colt]

Texas Longhorn Arms

Not a Ruger but a different manufacturer, based in Texas, owned by the late Bill Grover.

John Taffin has written extensively about them in most of his books. Also, fellow forum member Cubrock is writing a book on them.

Easiest way to learn more may be to do some googling on them.

BB45C

 

[wildwillalaska]

The first TLA I ever owned, now with Cubrock, was one that had seen some use, had some bluing wear and somewhere along the way lost its shoes. Still a cool gun and had read much about them. The fella at the show had three of them, and on that particular day, the shoeless one was the only one I could afford. Even without grips, and this being about 14 years ago, it still cost me around what your guys wanted. I do remember leaving the show with it wondering if I had made a mistake--proved I did just fine. Some pretty grained walnut and the gun was a beauty. The grip was a little weird, much thinner than most #5's I have seen since. Cubrock says its special, but won't share how, only pokes that I have to buy the book. I plan do when he allows.

I wish I could remember who I originally sold that 41 mag Flat Top Target to 10-12 years ago. Many of these TLA's seem to float back and forth and around. We almost share them if you track the history back on some of these guns. I think I sold it several years before Boge got it. It's one that from a historical standpoint it's good I sold, as I thought long and hard about having the barrel cut down.

They are fun guns to shoot, but ones near mint are often just fondled and set back in the safe. I as well as others on this forum I bet, would love to find a TLA with some carry wear. Makes a good shooter--use them as intended.