Wild west and suicide special revolvers

Jim McDougall · 5th August 2025, 04:39 PM

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

5th August 2025, 04:39 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,480	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 Attached Images