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A Shining Western Star
For generations of kids, Saturday afternoon was time to saddle up. Some
settled in for a double feature at the local movie house and some
strapped on six-guns in the backyard. It didn’t matter where
you were because we all ended up in the same place: riding side by side
with our favorite cowboys of the Old West.
There were plenty of horseback heroes, but every week, that sagebrush crooner and
“King of the Cowboys,” Roy Rogers, led the pack.
To this day, Roy Rogers remains one of the most
popular cowboys ever to ride the range during the golden age of
westerns. In his career, Roy appeared in more than 100 films. In 1943,
he passed Gene Autry to become Hollywood’s top western star. He stayed
at the top of that list for more than a decade. At the height of his popularity, Roy’s films and
personal appearances broke all attendance records. His comic books sold
over a million copies a month and his television show drew a huge, loyal
viewership.
Roy Rogers did things bigger and better than everyone
else. He could steal the show with a gun or a guitar. He rode the
smartest horse in the movies, and he rounded up the scoundrels while
still fighting fair. Through it all, he made taming the Wild West look
easy.
Roy Rogers was a shining example of good old cowboy values, and a role
model who showed us the difference between right and wrong. No matter
how many unscrupulous individuals tried to bring him down, Roy proved
that goodness always prevailed.
Roy Rogers didn’t ride alone. There was his
faithful horse Trigger. After a
string of leading ladies, Dale Evans joined Roy in the film “The Cowboy
and the Senorita.” It wasn’t long before the radiant
cowgirl became his “Queen of the West.” By 1951, Roy and Dale left the movies for television.
More than 100 exciting episodes brought them right into our living rooms
and made them more popular than ever.
For fans of Roy Rogers, America Remembers is proud to
present the Roy Rogers™ Happy Trails Tribute Rifle. Issued in a limited
edition of only 300 Tribute rifles, the Roy Rogers™ Happy Trails Rifle
is a classic firearm of the Old West, elegantly decorated with artwork
to bring back your fondest memories of Roy.
“It’s the Way You Ride the Trail That Counts”
As you know, off the screen, Roy Rogers was also a man with a strong
moral code. Throughout his life he produced wholesome entertainment and
didn’t limit his heroics to the silver screen. Roy’s generosity towards
friends and fans and his efforts on behalf of sick and orphaned children
around the world, proved his belief in the line from “Happy Trails” –
“It’s the way you ride the trail that counts.”
In 1980, Roy was inducted into the Country Music
Hall of Fame for his work with the Sons of the Pioneers. In 1988, he was
inducted a second time as a solo performer. Roy and Dale were both
inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1976.
(The Roy Rogers™ Happy
Trails Rifle features a large loop lever, but we do not have any
photographs right now with the large loop lever.)
A Classic Western Rifle
Each Roy Rogers Happy Trails Tribute Rifle is a fully functional,
working Model 92 Winchester Rifle in caliber .45 LC with a 20-inch
barrel. Each Tribute is decorated in sparkling 24-karat gold and nickel
by craftsmen commissioned specifically for this project by America
Remembers.
For this historic Western Tribute, few firearms seemed
more appropriate than a lever-action Winchester rifle. Winchester rifles
were synonymous with the Old West era, and the tradition of Western
classics continues with the Winchester Model 92 Rifle, which is the
rifle we selected for this Tribute. Settlers, lawmen,
outlaws, and Indians on the Western frontier all coveted Winchester
rifles and these rifles more than earned their place in history as “the
rifle that won the West.” In Hollywood, Winchester rifles were favorites
for most of our cowboy heroes.
From the impressive 24-karat gold artwork on
the handsome nickel-embellished receiver, to the highly-detailed
carvings on the walnut stock, this Tribute is truly a museum quality
masterpiece.
On the forearm you’ll find the laser-carved signature
of Roy Rogers, surrounded by handsome scrollwork. A portrait of Roy and
Trigger is carved into the polished walnut pistol grip of the shoulder
stock. The image honors one of the most memorable partnerships in movie
history. Roy teamed with the golden palomino for 88 films, 104
television shows, and countless personal appearances around the world.
Roy said Trigger learned close to 100 tricks in his career and “could
turn on a dime and give you some change.”
The right side features Roy and Dale, the King and
Queen of the West. The pair first teamed up onscreen in 1944 and they
were married in 1946. Also featured on the right side is an early action
shot of Roy. He used his firearms when he had to, but more often he
relied on quick fists, sharp wits, and the fastest horse in the West.
All of the receiver images are surrounded by an elegant scrollwork
design and a “marquee” design that echoes the signage of the old movie
palaces.
The left side of the receiver features classic
portraits of Roy Rogers. In the center, Roy strikes a familiar pose with
his guitar. It was his singing with the Sons of the Pioneers that earned
him a screen test at Republic Pictures. That voice always got a chance
to shine in his movies. Above him is the title of the classic tune that
Dale Evans wrote as the sign-off for the “Roy Rogers” TV show: “Happy
Trails.” Below him is the signature that Roy signed for thousands of
adoring fans. On either side, Roy is featured in a couple of his
favorite outfits which he made famous. Roy’s distinctive style is just
part of what helped him become an American icon.
Throughout his career, Roy Rogers was an inspiration
to millions of Americans. This Tribute is the perfect way to honor the
memory of this great American hero. Whether on the range, in the rodeo
or on the silver screen, Roy was truly "King of the Cowboys". The Roy
Rogers Happy Trails Tribute provides a fitting tribute to a true Western
legend.
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