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Bronze sculptures The Better Man and Wrong End of a .45 by Scott Rogers, depicting two Old West gunfighters in a dramatic shootout, each figure caught mid-action with revolver drawn.

The Better Man & Wrong End of a .45

Specifications:
13"H x 10"W x 6"D & 12"H x 9"W x 6"D
Edition of 30

Price:
SOLD OUT

Piece Availability
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Scott’s Piece Description

This sculpture changed my life….as a sculptor. In November of 1991, I took my first professional sculpting workshop from Fritz White, at the Lions Camp in Kerrville, Texas. This piece came out of that 5 day class. Back in the day, the Cowboy Artists of America put on workshops for aspiring artists, this was one of those workshops. At the time, I’d been sculpting for thirteen months and had about five pieces under my belt. I really didn’t know my rear end from my elbow about sculpting…and yet the ’spirit of the message is there! This piece actually shows my lack of knowledge, as both men are holding their pistols wrong, the hats I show did not exist in the old west. The types of hats shown in this sculpture came into fashion during the early Hollywood cowboy/western film western era (i.e. Tom Mix / Jack “Hart” Hoxie / Art Mix).
What was interesting to me….was that during that workshop, a professional artist, of 20+ years, told me, “No one is going to buy that piece. It deals with death!” I entertained their input for about 1/2 a millisecond and then went about my business. I ended up casting them and put them in Texas Art Gallery, in Dallas, Texas. THEY SOLD THE NEXT DAY. The gallery owners (Bill and Pat Burford) called me to tell me of the sale and that they had never had that happen with a new artist. I went on to sell out the edition of 30, one of which ended up in a museum (The Pearce Collection, Navarro College, Corsicana, TX). I’ve gone on to sculpt nine sets of gunfighters….every set sells out!
One of the things I enjoy doing is revisiting a great idea with 15-30 years more knowledge. I’ve done that 4-5 times. Such was the case with these bad boys! If you look on my website you’ll see this concept (with the same name) sculpted again with 15 years more knowledge…they sold out. I got the men holding their pistols right and the hats correct! Whew!

 

 

Who can think of the old west for too long without thinking of a shootout?

The old west was generally slow paced. A lot of folks would live for months without seeing another human. Then there were times when things got lively. A trail herd would come through, a band of Indians might cause trouble, or some cowpunchers might want to let off a little steam.

Whenever you get the right mixture of tough men, guns, short tempers and very little law – it’s not hard to picture the outcome. Oft’ times pride (with the assistance of a ‘fast hand’) shortened or ended the life of many a westerner.

Curator Review

Curator Review

In The Better Man & Wrong End of a .45, Scott Rogers transforms a familiar western trope into a striking study of motion, consequence, and fragile bravado. Suspended in a whirlwind of flying coats, twisting torsos, and split-second reaction, the sculpture captures the instant when confidence collides with mortality. One gunfighter advances with force and momentum, while the other recoils backward—his balance, and perhaps his fate, already lost.

Rogers’ composition is remarkably theatrical. The figures appear to hover in space, balanced on impossibly small points of contact, giving the bronze an energy rarely achieved in western sculpture. The sweeping silhouettes and exaggerated movement pull the viewer directly into the chaos of the confrontation.

Yet beneath the drama lies a quieter observation about pride and human nature. The Old West often romanticized the fast draw and fearless reputation, but Rogers hints at the cost beneath the legend. In the end, toughness and ego are fleeting things when measured against the cold reality of “the wrong end of a .45.”

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Get In Touch

We’ll confirm if this sculpture is available now or reserve your place in the next casting (4–5 months).

Phone: 1.435.469.1646
Email: hello@scottrogerssculpture.com

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