Bill’s Gun and Saddle Shop Marks 49 Years in Business

Bill and Lucille Frost display an antique 1898 Winchester model 94 30-30 and Luger LCP 380 automatic handgun.

SINCLARVILLE - For almost half a century, a little bit of the Wild West has remained alive in Sinclairville.

While selling guns for hunting, collecting and self-protection, Bill Frost and his wife Lucille of Bill’s Gun and Saddle Shop have put a little bit of show business into their cowboy skill and know how, entertaining crowds with their Wild West Show, Western museum and the small ‘frontier town.”

The shop, town and museum are located on the grounds of their 280 acre property tucked into the pristine setting of Cassadaga Valley.

Last summer marked an end of an era, with the Frost’s retiring the Wild West Show, something Bill has done for 37 years. While he will still perform trick roping, Frost says he is looking for a “young fella to come and do the jump roping....which is hard for me.” The 82-year old still does quick draw and gun spinning.

“We have three generations of shooters--grandpa, son and now the grandkids who have come to this shop all these years,” he says. A family affair, grandson Cody is known for his skills with the bull whip.

The cowboy haven has also been a destination for bus tours, offering both education and entertainment. “I’ve got the best Western museum east of the Mississippi out here,” Bill states proudly...“I’ve been building it for 45 years.”

The Frosts also say they were responsible for bringing the Cowboy Mounted Shooters Competition to the state. According to the organization’s website, the competition is the fastest growing equestrian sport in the nation, combining horsemanship and gun skills in a timed event.

The couple said the event draws participants from as far away as Pennsylvania and Ohio to the Gerry Rodeo grounds for the local competition. For its part, the shop provides hand guns, holsters, belts and other accoutrements to competitors.

Lucille says another thing her husband “has had a lot of fun doing” is teaching students from area high schools and the Lucille Ball Little Theatre basic rope spinning, which comes in handy when they need to get a part down in musicals such as Oklahoma or the Will Rodgers Follies. Local boy scout groups have also enjoyed learning the tricks of the trade from Frost. 

Bill Frost demonstrates the spinning pop can rope technique, a favorite with kids.

Rugged Individualism

“One thing that draws people here is that we have 49 years of experience; we might know what we are talking about,” says Bill. 

“We have stock, single actions, double actions, 22 calibers, a variety of the semi automatic rifles, shotguns for hunting, military-style guns, lever and bolt action,” states Lucille.

She says that a growing part of their business is from customers, especially women, who are purchasing guns for self-protection.

Lucille aptly demonstrates the self-protection attributes of a small Luger LCP 380 automatic, which focuses a laser light on its intended target, a likely deterrent to a would-be criminal.

True to form, the Frosts exude a spirit of rugged individualism, seeing gun ownership as an inalienable American right, protected by the second amendment.

Another specialty which sets their store apart is the large array of collectible guns which, according to Bill, "with gold, has the fastest appreciating value in the United States.”

Bringing out a 1898 Winchester, Bill explains the gun was used in an Oregon logging camp, as “a meat-getter” for crews. It is one of 100 or so collectible guns he owns. Frost also restores horse saddles, with a large collection of antique varieties from all over the world.

Bill’s Gun and Saddle Shop is located at 39 Prospect St. in Sinclairville and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Frosts encourage visitors to call (716) 962-5168 before stopping.

In addition, the shop will be participating at the Seneca Allegany Sportsmen Show on Saturday, February 18 - February 19 at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel in Salamanca.