Billy the Kid and the Colt Thunderer pistol

Jim McDougall · 11th July 2019, 04:29 AM

Excellent entry Norman, thank you!!!

OK Fernando, that makes sense, and you're right, the 'rig' wouldn't be on his left hip unless the butt was forward for cross draw if he was right handed..which he was.

There seem to be varying accounts of what guns Billy used, but that tintype photo, being the only generally accepted image of him with the rifle and Colt Army revolver seem to have secured those as 'his'.
What became of them after his surrender is unclear, and he of course took several guns from the Lincoln County courthouse in his escape. Could his Colt M1873 Army revolver and 1873 Winchester have been retrieved by him? Did he keep the shotgun he used to kill deputy Bob Olinger and the revolver of deputy James Bell which he shot him with?

So, were the guns in the tintype of Billy actually HIS weapons? or were they provided by the itinerant photographer who made the tintype in 1880. Billy's girl insisted that he never dressed that way around town, only when he was 'out on the range'. He was more neatly dressed around town.
Again, all we have are assumptions it seems.

Again, the Colt 'thunderer' notion is understandable, it seems these were known to be used by a number of gunfighters, but in many cases as 'hide out' guns. I think the 'tale' of it being Billy's favorite is most likely pulp fiction lore and marketers hype as suggested.

As noted, persons who were known 'pistoleers' naturally had numerous guns, and writers tried to sensationalize particular types as their favorites to satisfy the public fascination with these figures. Hickok is best known for his pair of M1851 Navy revolvers, but had an array of others including the BULLDOG

Wyatt Earp has always been known for the legendary 'Buntline Special' Colt .45 with foot long barrel....but in reality carried a Smith & Wesson ( in his coat pocket!) at the OK Corral.

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11th July 2019, 04:29 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,562	Excellent entry Norman, thank you!!! OK Fernando, that makes sense, and you're right, the 'rig' wouldn't be on his left hip unless the butt was forward for cross draw if he was right handed..which he was. There seem to be varying accounts of what guns Billy used, but that tintype photo, being the only generally accepted image of him with the rifle and Colt Army revolver seem to have secured those as 'his'. What became of them after his surrender is unclear, and he of course took several guns from the Lincoln County courthouse in his escape. Could his Colt M1873 Army revolver and 1873 Winchester have been retrieved by him? Did he keep the shotgun he used to kill deputy Bob Olinger and the revolver of deputy James Bell which he shot him with? So, were the guns in the tintype of Billy actually HIS weapons? or were they provided by the itinerant photographer who made the tintype in 1880. Billy's girl insisted that he never dressed that way around town, only when he was 'out on the range'. He was more neatly dressed around town. Again, all we have are assumptions it seems. Again, the Colt 'thunderer' notion is understandable, it seems these were known to be used by a number of gunfighters, but in many cases as 'hide out' guns. I think the 'tale' of it being Billy's favorite is most likely pulp fiction lore and marketers hype as suggested. As noted, persons who were known 'pistoleers' naturally had numerous guns, and writers tried to sensationalize particular types as their favorites to satisfy the public fascination with these figures. Hickok is best known for his pair of M1851 Navy revolvers, but had an array of others including the BULLDOG Wyatt Earp has always been known for the legendary 'Buntline Special' Colt .45 with foot long barrel....but in reality carried a Smith & Wesson ( in his coat pocket!) at the OK Corral.