I've been around guns for at least a little while, so I thought I had pretty much seen or heard just about everything related to them. "Barbecue Gun" is, however, a new term to me. I understand it originates in Texas, which should surprise no one. There are two schools of thought on what makes for a "barbecue gun", so let's take a look.
First, let's explain the terminology. A "barbecue gun" is something that, unsurprisingly, we would wear to a barbecue. Purely for dress up, along with our best Stetson and our best Tony Lamas. Beyond that, any barbecue gun does have to be a conversation starter. We all agree on that. It could be anything, from a 1911 to a double action or single action revolver, or any nifty handgun. After that is where the disagreement starts.
The first school of thought is that it has to be something fancy. Well kept, little wear, things like high polish blueing or nickel plating, ivory or fancy wood grips, engraving, and other such adornments. The other school of thought is something that shows genuine use, and has some stories attached to it - not beat up and abused, just honestly used.
I think I might have one of each. The first might not, however, be "fancy" enough, lacking engraving and any fancy stock material. It does, however, have the prettiest, deepest bluing, along with the most vibrant case colors I have ever seen. Both curtesy or Doug Turnbull Restorations. Third generation Colt SAA in .45 Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel:
The second has been pretty much my constant companion for the entirety of my ostensibly "adult" life. Another third generation SAA in .45 Colt, this one a 4 3/4". Case colors almost completely faded, scratched all around the cylinder, flat springs broken so many times I finally converted it to Wolfe music wire springs some 30 years ago (I now put them in all of my Colts before I even shoot them). Front sight has claw marks from bending it with a pair of Vise Grips to correct windage, with the top filed flat to correct elevation. I've hunted with it, it's the gun that lives in my nightstand, it's the gun that I most often conceal carry on the very, very rare occasions that I actually do that, it's the gun I want with me if, God forbid, everything goes sideways. Not as pretty as the first one, but many more stories.
So, if you were going to a proper barbecue, what would be your "barbecue gun"?