Wild Bill Hickok and his pistols

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by David

Get topic Jim!
I do understand why you thought to post this in the European section since your example of this historic weapon seems t have been made in London, but the Colt M1851 is such an American weapon in terms of design and legend that i wonder if this thread should be placed elsewhere. I don't really mind either way, but Fernando might have a better idea where it belongs.
Anyone interested in a great dramatized version of the accounts of Deadwood should check out the TV series and follow-up movie. Great stuff!

That is actually a very good point, in which sector should the topic of American weaponry be placed? As you well note, as my Colt is a 'London' Colt, it can easily be placed in the European armoury. I will note here that many of the 'gunfighters' of the 'Wild West' used British guns, the Adams revolver, the Greener shotguns........many, if not most of the so called 'Bowie' knives were produced in Sheffield.
The swords used in the American Revolution, as well as other weapons were largely British, as technically America was a British colony. Most of Nuemann's book on "Swords of the American Revolution" is a catalog of the many European weapons used in America by the colonists.

Just as we split off the 'European Armoury' into a separate forum despite the fact that so many ethnographic weapons were influenced by, included components from and generally associated with European arms with colonization and trade, it seemed the European field needed separate and exclusive attention. The European denominator is in a way, a pretty broad definition.

Its really hard to determine in so many cases which 'box' to put things in
there is so much combining and cross influence involved. I recall many years back trying to discuss Scottish basket hilts when it was just the ethnographic forum. The only case I could suggest was that the clans were essentially 'tribal' and of key ethnic heritage, but of course, that was pretty tenuous


Good note on the series "Deadwood" as well as several movies such as the one with Jeff Bridges. It seems that in our times, movie makers are doing more research, and presenting not only entertaining, but informative films. Naturally there are always the naysayers, and I admit I get picky too, but make allowances for a degree of license. If anything, most movies, books etc. sets me off on research but its just wanting to learn as much truth and reality as I can.

Thank you so much David,
Jim


Hombre, thank you! That is a beautiful 'Navy'!!! I like the brass fittings on the trigger guard and had not noticed mine does not have those. I wonder what determined which models or examples received that affectation?

[fernando]

As it has been a customary practice, more than ruling on the European concept in words, and for what this forum is concerned, things have been easy to differentiate. So we take it that, antique arms of a non ethnographic structure, be them American or provenant from the old continent, do fall within our European concept. Hence not a bow or a lance, but a musket, a pistol or a sword.

But i admit that, rather than visiting once more the well known biography of Wild Bill, i would never miss an episode of the Deadwood series .

[Rick]

Imagine if you had to watch it in a language censored edition. There would be more bleeps than words.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Rick

Imagine if you had to watch it in a language censored edition. There would be more bleeps than words.

Indeed; lucky i watched it with subtitles and that part was already sanitized .

[Jim McDougall]

Very well said Fernando. When we created the "European Armory' the goal was to expand the scope of discussions outside the 'ethnographic' category, and quite honestly, as we figured the scope, the inclusion of American arms seemed 'given'.

It seems ironic that the most renowned biographer of Wild Bill, and the foremost expert on American gunfighters, was the late Joseph Rosa, who was British

[Will M]

In the beginning parts were shipped to London. Survival rate of the Navy Colts seems low. The link below has interesting information.

https://coltcollectors.com/colt-mode...ndon%20factory.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Will M

In the beginning parts were shipped to London. Survival rate of the Navy Colts seems low. The link below has interesting information.

https://coltcollectors.com/colt-mode...ndon%20factory.

Great link Will!! Thank you!!
I had no idea the survival rate on these was so low. I actually think I got this one from Norm about 20 years or so ago, who can remember these days!

[David]

Originally Posted by fernando

But i admit that, rather than visiting once more the well known biography of Wild Bill, i would never miss an episode of the Deadwood series .

Glad to hear you have enjoyed it. While i do not believe we should accept it as history per se, a great deal of it is surprising historically accurate. In all probability the language used is not, but it is "art". And the approach to the storytelling is absolutely Shakespearean. I would quote an infamous phrase from the show here, by fear i might find myself in a timeout for doing so. LOL!