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.
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