Roy Rogers, An American Legend
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.
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.
Shipping Procedures
Since the “Roy Rogers™ Happy Trails Tribute” is a working Winchester Model 92 Rifle, we will arrange delivery through a licensed firearms dealer of your choice.
Order
I wish to reserve the “Roy Rogers™ Happy Trails Tribute,” a working Model 92 rifle, at the current issue price of $2,495*. Each rifle is numbered within the edition limit of 300 and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Thirty day return privilege.
Please charge my credit card a deposit of $195 per rifle. I will pay the balance at the rate of $100 per month, with no interest or carrying charge.
* All orders are subject to acceptance and credit verification prior to shipment. Sales tax is required in certain states and will be added. Shipping and handling will be added to each order. Virginia residents please add sales tax.