Lemme see your Barbecue Gun!!

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CraigC said:
I guess a lot of folks don't get it. A Texas BBQ gun is the type worn to a fancy Texas BBQ. These are formal affairs in their very specific context. Attended by oil men, cattlemen and maybe some Texas Ranger types. The men wear suits, their best hat and their nicest dress boots. The BBQ gun is a show off piece. They are universally engraved, usually stocked in ivory, silver or mother of pearl and usually nickel plated. They're also going to be carried in fancy leather. Think of it as a carry rig added to your Sunday Best. They are not open carried but rather concealed under a suit jacket or sport coat.

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/the-bbq-gun-definition.377536/

I have a few guns that come close but do not fit the definition in the strictest sense.

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This one tries real hard but laser engraved, PVC gripped Pietta's don't really apply. :p

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Wow!!
 
A BBQ gun is simply your best looking gun and carry setup that's meant to impress. It is worn to a BBQ or social gathering where food is normally served. The gun can be blinged up, have engraving, be a plain Jane collectible, just be an expensive 1911 or the like, be an old or new S&W, Colt, or cowboy revolver that's in mint condition, be a new production hard to find gun, etc... It's just the best looking gun and holster you own that you want to show off. They are typically are aluminum, blued, or stainless framed handguns, but can pretty much be anything you want to show off.

Just like you would typically wear the nicest suit or outfit you own within your wardrobe to a fancy get together so that you look the best you possibly can, the concept is the exact same but applied to the nicest gun and holster you own and want to show off instead.
 
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CapnMac said:
Well, first, we have to understand what a "barbecue" is in this context.

From my personal experience (and family experience as related to me), the use of "barbecue" in this context is to mean "local event & gathering." It is probably related to all the meanings of barbacoa in Mexican Spanish. So, not merely the slow cooking of the meat, but also the gathering of people to share in both the cooking effort and the consumption of the end product.

Out in the rural, agricultural areas, opportunities for social gatherings will take second fiddle to the work at hand. So, if a windfall were being celebrated, or, especially and anniversary or wedding, would want having a "barbecue" (even if the food was not smoke-cooked). And, as noted above, these would be Occasions. Something wanting the Sunday-go to meeting, attire. The kinfolk and relations would be brought in as well--in many ways a ginat shown-n-tell.

Now, while "fancy" can apply to firearms, it's not required. Fancy leather is not required, either. But, if one had such to show, no one avert their eyes, either. The notion is to be respectful of all, so, no jamming El pistole under the belt, of jammed down one's jeans. And, being able to show off that fancy belt holster from the tack shop or boot maker is always good.

To the question of "Why would I want to be armed at a barbecue?" one ought remember that these evolutions were far out in the country, where land was measured not by the acre, but by the Section (square mile; 660 acres). You might be traveling half a day or an entire day away from a major city; and be hours from even a small town or hamlet.

Having been to several of these sorts of soireés, the Court guns and Trusty-made holsters do appear. But, that's often just the LEO and Court Officers, with the access and need. Plain blue and oiled russet leather will suffice nicely. Or an El Paso Tom Threepersons floral for one's 6" blue Python.
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CapnMac said:
Well, first, we have to understand what a "barbecue" is in this context.

From my personal experience (and family experience as related to me), the use of "barbecue" in this context is to mean "local event & gathering." It is probably related to all the meanings of barbacoa in Mexican Spanish. So, not merely the slow cooking of the meat, but also the gathering of people to share in both the cooking effort and the consumption of the end product.

Out in the rural, agricultural areas, opportunities for social gatherings will take second fiddle to the work at hand. So, if a windfall were being celebrated, or, especially and anniversary or wedding, would want having a "barbecue" (even if the food was not smoke-cooked). And, as noted above, these would be Occasions. Something wanting the Sunday-go to meeting, attire. The kinfolk and relations would be brought in as well--in many ways a ginat shown-n-tell.

Now, while "fancy" can apply to firearms, it's not required. Fancy leather is not required, either. But, if one had such to show, no one avert their eyes, either. The notion is to be respectful of all, so, no jamming El pistole under the belt, of jammed down one's jeans. And, being able to show off that fancy belt holster from the tack shop or boot maker is always good.

To the question of "Why would I want to be armed at a barbecue?" one ought remember that these evolutions were far out in the country, where land was measured not by the acre, but by the Section (square mile; 660 acres). You might be traveling half a day or an entire day away from a major city; and be hours from even a small town or hamlet.

Having been to several of these sorts of soireés, the Court guns and Trusty-made holsters do appear. But, that's often just the LEO and Court Officers, with the access and need. Plain blue and oiled russet leather will suffice nicely. Or an El Paso Tom Threepersons floral for one's 6" blue Python.
Click to expand...

What I got out of it is you attend the same ordinary working class BBQs as I have, not the fancy, dancy, rich people events that signify where a real BBQ gun is worn. I might add I have never worn a gun to a BBQ and have never seen anyone else do so. No need at all for one. Oh, I didn't grow up in a city or even a small town. I grew up out in the sticks where I I road a school bus about 40 miles to and from school and am well acquainted with land measured in sections and am quite familiar with getting the work done before any other activity. Thanks for your thoughts on the subject though.
 
doubleh said:
not the fancy, dancy, rich people events that signify where a real BBQ gun is worn.
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Actually, I've been to a few "swanky" sorts of shindigs. One was to celebrate the host having given his sixth university President's Endowed Scholarship ($100K endowment). Around a thousand folk there, was six different "chuck wagons" handling the chow--enough movers, shakers, potentates, politicos, and trial lawyers as to make a person nervous of their person and wallet. A short seven hour drive for me (we were set up in the Guest "bunkhouses"). There was a lot of 'hardware' on display at that "do" from fancy to working, firearms to "nutting" knives.

Been to a couple where it was a celebration of being elected to political office. Any number of weddings and the one funeral/wake (not a lot of "flash" there; but no real effort at concealing what was carried, either).
 
Not many big fancy well dressed BBQ’s in NYC, and pretty much the only people there with handguns are cops and criminals, so no high end affairs with guns.

And neither would be rocking flashy guns. So, sad to say, even though no longer a New Yorker, not even one BBQ gun for me.
 
Armored farmer said:
We do bbqs, but we also do Cajun shrimp boils. We are doing one this weekend for our farm help to kick off our 2022 growing season.
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I'll post some pics and maybe you'll see a BBQ gun or two. Maybe even a BBQ knife?! If there is such a thing?
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Pig roasts are popular here. Dig a hole, light a big fire, let die down, throw a pig on and bury it. The next day its uncovered and all the neighbors and friends gather for a feast and adult beverages. Always a good time.
 
I've probably posted this one here, and for a similar thread. However:

It really is gold-plated, with ivory grips. I suspect some previous owner felt it MUST be lucky, because it is the only 1911A1 with an all-7 serial number. 'Mr. Lucky'.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke
 

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PRD1 said:
I've probably posted this one here, and for a similar thread. However:

It really is gold-plated, with ivory grips. I suspect some previous owner felt it MUST be lucky, because it is the only 1911A1 with an all-7 serial number. 'Mr. Lucky'.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke
Click to expand...

If i had all 7s on a US Property 1911 i would gold plate it too. Thats really neat! Whatever soldier was issued that probably felt like he was invincible.
 
CapnMac said:
Actually, I've been to a few "swanky" sorts of shindigs. One was to celebrate the host having given his sixth university President's Endowed Scholarship ($100K endowment). Around a thousand folk there, was six different "chuck wagons" handling the chow--enough movers, shakers, potentates, politicos, and trial lawyers as to make a person nervous of their person and wallet. A short seven hour drive for me (we were set up in the Guest "bunkhouses"). There was a lot of 'hardware' on display at that "do" from fancy to working, firearms to "nutting" knives.

Been to a couple where it was a celebration of being elected to political office. Any number of weddings and the one funeral/wake (not a lot of "flash" there; but no real effort at concealing what was carried, either).
Click to expand...

All I can say is I wouldn't drive across the street much less 7 hours to something like that.
 
CapnMac said:
Well, first, we have to understand what a "barbecue" is in this context.

From my personal experience (and family experience as related to me), the use of "barbecue" in this context is to mean "local event & gathering." It is probably related to all the meanings of barbacoa in Mexican Spanish. So, not merely the slow cooking of the meat, but also the gathering of people to share in both the cooking effort and the consumption of the end product.

Out in the rural, agricultural areas, opportunities for social gatherings will take second fiddle to the work at hand. So, if a windfall were being celebrated, or, especially and anniversary or wedding, would want having a "barbecue" (even if the food was not smoke-cooked). And, as noted above, these would be Occasions. Something wanting the Sunday-go to meeting, attire. The kinfolk and relations would be brought in as well--in many ways a ginat shown-n-tell.

Now, while "fancy" can apply to firearms, it's not required. Fancy leather is not required, either. But, if one had such to show, no one avert their eyes, either. The notion is to be respectful of all, so, no jamming El pistole under the belt, of jammed down one's jeans. And, being able to show off that fancy belt holster from the tack shop or boot maker is always good.

To the question of "Why would I want to be armed at a barbecue?" one ought remember that these evolutions were far out in the country, where land was measured not by the acre, but by the Section (square mile; 660 acres). You might be traveling half a day or an entire day away from a major city; and be hours from even a small town or hamlet.

Having been to several of these sorts of soireés, the Court guns and Trusty-made holsters do appear. But, that's often just the LEO and Court Officers, with the access and need. Plain blue and oiled russet leather will suffice nicely. Or an El Paso Tom Threepersons floral for one's 6" blue Python.
Click to expand...
I’ve been to a wedding or two over the years that certainly had plenty of hand-tooled leather and polished nickel about ;).

Skeeter and Bart Skelton wrote of the Barbacoa events both in the US and South of the Border. They were often accompanied with silhouette matches or other shooting games (the 4-animal type silhouette shoots started in Mexico, I believe).

When the local hierarchy is in attendance, I’ll bet that a good looking holster/sidearm was probably just about as important as standing in the line and shooting it well. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
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