Wild west and suicide special revolvers
 

In the 'wild west' as heralded by dime novels of the late 19th c. the legendary lore of the gunfighters gave us the larger than life figures that became immortalized in countless films and novels.
The images of steely eyed gunfighters faced off in a quick draw showdown in the streets of small towns in front of the cliche' saloon became the norm.

In actuality of course, these highly embellished circumstances as well as the figures involved were little like what things really were. As always, often the reality was in my opinion more interesting, and in many cases as colorful as the fiction.

This humble example of the popular, cheap examples of revolver which were available to the public in 1870s-90s and were the actual types of guns most commonly 'packed' by citizens for self defense. They became known as SUICIDE SPECIALS in the term apparently coined by Duncan McConnell in an article in "American Rifleman" magazine in February, 1948. A book was actually written about them by Daniel Webster Blake in 1958 titled of course "Suicide Specials".

It seems that the patent for the bored cylinders for cartridges in revolvers by Rollin White but held by Smith and Wesson expired in 1869. This declared 'open season' for manufacturers to flood the markets with cheap small revolvers, and by numerous makers. These were not numbered with serial numbers, nor well marked to manufacturers, however they all went by catchy trade names Eureka, Rattler etc.

This example is marked simply WHITE STAR, which perhaps might allude to the original patent holder Rollin White? but certainly not to the famed steamship line of Titanic fame.

I found this in, of all places in Tombstone, Ariz. the site of the famed OK Corral fight. It was in the back corner of a case in a shop, overrun with reproductions of the 'six shooters' sought by tourists as 'the guns used in Tombstone at the OK Corral' :)
Ironically, this simple little pistol was what was often in the pockets of the patrons of the local saloons, or sometimes in the garters of the working girls locally. As guns were prohibited typically in town, these easily concealed pieces were what most folks had.

This one, like most of these is .32 rimfire, though other calibers were known. Despite often colorful explanations, the term 'suicide special' (likely not known until as usual , collectors devised a name) may have referred to the fact that these cheaply made guns could easily explode at discharge, and the weak spring mechanism often broke. With this the outcome of an altercation might be badly compromised with this situation leaving one defenseless if not wounded by their own gun.

Just a bit of perspective to some of the 'wild west' firearms Ive been digging into lately here. Hoping that readers out there might find this stuff of interest, and as always that others might have examples, seem examples and might like to share here :)

I have had a Shattuck with Garfield on one side and Lincoln on the other. I'll see where it is. A swing cylinder. Hatfield Mass These are not uncommon and these images are not the one from the 1980s. I think it is still in the extended family. Plating loss on that one.

.32 rimfire was a very common round and should be put into service again. Someone was doing some weird work around but a box these days s scarce.

Cheers
GC
https://gunsmagazine.com/ammo/reload...he-32-rimfire/

Thank you so much Glen! wasnt sure I would get anybody in on this..pretty esoteric. I think these cheap guns have developed a mystique of their own.

alternatives
 

What was the alternative?
Multiple rounds versus size obviously made them attractive.
Was anyone making a good, reliable version?

Hi Jim,
This is a late 19thC Belgian large calibre copy of the British Bulldog revolver. A book was published at the end of 2006 entitled 'The British Bulldog Revolver, the forgotten gun that really Won the West' by George Layman. I have not read the book but one of the premises is that there was ten times more of these guns of various calibres, manufactured in the U.K., U.S. and Belgium, in circulation in America in the last quarter of the 19th Century than Colts and S&W's combined, in fact it even suggests that the iconic Billy the Kid carried one of these amongst others.
Regards,
Norman.

Hi Jim,
I remember one of these pistols having notoriety. One was used in the assassination of President Garfield.
My Regards,
Norman.

Good question Keith. While as always, I must note my relatively novice grasp of firearms dynamics, though I am more familiar visually with the weapons historically.
As we know, in towns open carry firearms were prohibited (the reason for the scrap at the OK Corral) and 'cowboys' were only 'strapped' with holstered guns when on the range in these times.

While obviously the larger (more reliable) revolvers with of course the ubiquitous 'peacemaker' Colts well known, as well as Smith & Wessons, these were hardly easy to conceal for the average citizen. The 'girls' would have a heck of a time putting one of these in their garters.

As mentioned, the expiration of the 'White' patent held by Smith & Wesson for bored out cartridge cylinders opened the doors for many 'start-up' firms and those expanding their often tool making etc industries to produce cheap forms of small revolvers. These were not well made, nor particularly reliable, and the larger firms focused on larger guns and military contracts, not wishing to enter the plethora of forms of these cheap guns.

These cheap guns (hence 'suicide specials') offered some comfort for self defense to the average civilian, who carried them 'just in case', but as with most weapons, the actual use was relatively unlikely. I recall, by analogy, as a young guy late 50s early 60s, certain films like "Blackboard Jungle", "West Side Story" etc. gave rise to the teenage toughs carrying switchblade knives.
Naturally, most of us followed suit, and packed switchblades in our pockets....just in case.....hmmm.....not one of us had any idea how to use one of these....but figured just pulling it out would be enough.

From all I have read on these small guns discussed, they were prone to failure and one shot, if lucky, was the most expected. The springs on these almost invariably broke, and hardly worth repair so most ended up in the trash bin. Thus the collectibility in esoterica.

small, concealed and deadly
 

Thank you so much Norman!
The BULLDOG has always been intriguing to me, maybe its the name, or associations with Victorian detectives, Sherlock Holmes etc. It seems these were .44 caliber, and indeed one of these Webley guns was carried by John Tunstall, Billy the Kids father figure.
Apparently a 'Bulldog' was used in the assassination of President John Garfield in 1881, and paired with Lincoln on the grips of the example posted by Glen in previous post.

Apparently Billy did take this from Tunstall after he was killed, and carried it for a period of time. Actually, it is not known what sort of revolver Billy had and records only refer to a DOUBLE COCKER, which could have been either a Thunderer, Lightning or indeed a Bulldog. He also had a Colt 'peacemaker' revolver, the ubiquitous six shooters of cowboy fame. Presumably the Colt and his Winchester 1873 were used 'on the range', while the COUBLE COCKER was his 'concealed' when in town.

These Colts, the Thunderer (.41 long); the Lightning (.38 long) and 'rainmaker' (.32long) were versions of these Colt DA revolvers (6 shot) double action.
The catchy names were NOT Colt designations, but part of the marketing hyperbole used by distributors. As noted, the 'suicide special' were called by as many as 150+ of these kinds of names.

Wild Bill Hickok and vest pistol
 

While discussing these suicide specials and concealed guns:
It is worthy of note that at the OK Corral, none of Earp and his men were holstered, but Wyatt for example had a Smith & Wesson in his coat pocket, Doc had a Thunderer in his pocket.

Wild Bill Hickok always favored the Colt M1851 Navy, but as eyesight failing in later years, and he turned to professional gambling, he carried a Smith & Wesson #2 .36 rimfire in his vest. Didnt do much good as he was shot from behind by the coward Jack McCall in #10 saloon in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Goes to the old convention these days in the west........gunfighters seat, always face the door, back against the wall.

With these smaller guns, the barrels ranged from 2.5" to 7.5". The shorter barrels were termed 'SHOPKEEPERS PISTOLS' as they were kept in the vest, by storekeepers for protection.

The images show Hickok with the type Smith & Wesson carried in his 'activities' in Deadwood as it looked 'in the day'.....not exactly the Vegas strip!! Also, the Colt 1851 Navy revolver he favored in his gunfighter days...this one however a London marked example (1856). While that would seem to disqualify it for use in the west, many weapons came in from England, just as Bowie knives, the Webleys and Adams & Deane revolvers.

disclaimer :)
 

As previously noted, while a lifelong researcher on arms history focused on swords, growing up in the west has not precluded historical interest in firearms. While not by any means a 'shooter' or gun collector, the study of history has few boundaries, so my entries of late reflect history as seen through the examples I have shared.
I really appreciate the input of you guys with such knowledge in these areas!