J.C. Bell, SASS #15217 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Collector's Firearms in Houston has a case full just inside the door if you're in the area and interested. I'm struck by how many of them seem to be found with the hammer cocked and the cylinder containing both unfired cartridges and fired cases. It makes for interesting speculation. I'd guess (strictly my guess) that about one in five of the old pistols I've seen have been in that condition. Anybody have an interesting story to share about these relics? Cordially, J.C. Bell; SASS #1521`7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Sometime around 1942 or 43, my granddad was plowing a field a couple miles from where I currently live, and the rod weeder plugged up. He started pulling weeds and crap out, felt a piece of metal, twisted and broke it loose, and brought up an 1849 Colt out of the dirt. It hung on a nail above the fireplace in the old homestead, and several years later, someone was looking at it and said it looked like there was something scratched into the butt. Under magnification, it says "C Smith April 29 1861". Five of the six chambers are still loaded to this day, with one completely intact cap on one nipple, and remains on a couple others. When online databases became common, I started searching and found three letters in the University of Utah's manuscript library written by a C. Smith in 1865 from three stage stations in present-day southwest Montana - Red Rock Creek station, Junction station, and Horse Prairie station - to his boss, Nat Stein, who was the Overland Stage Agent at Virginia City for Ben Holladay. The signatures on the letters are a spot-on match for the scribing on the revolver butt, and there is -0- doubt it is the same person. The hammer & trigger are still free, the rammer still works - unbelievably, even the latch spring is still intact, the barrel assembly can be removed, but the cylinder is froze solid on the base pin. The stageline served Helena, and Helena wasn't founded til October of 1864, so the revolver likely wasn't lost here til 1865 or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Very interesting story, if only it could talk. Wonder if C. Smith has any descendants . It would be interesting if he does and they could shed some lite on how the pistol was lost. Nice old pistol. Since a lot of things work, Turn Ball Restorations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 I've checked with historical societies in all the little towns down that way that have them, and no dice finding a C. Smith. The letters, as best I could transcribe them from copies of the originals. Question marks denote individual letters I couldn't decipher. I was hoping there might be mention of his missing revolver, but no such luck. LETTER ONE Read (Red) Rock Aug 25th/65 Mr Stien Sir I have a favor to ask of you it is concerning Mr John Allen to and that is to go to Mr Downs and See if you can get the mair of his that he troubles So much a bout Mr Downs has a bridle Sadle and laryette and powder flask and Pouch and go to Thom ???? and get his gun that is John Double barrel you can see if it is all rite and Send gun and flask & pouch down on the coach to mee and the second teamster you Send Send him on the cutoff to Junction Station if you think he will do to trust with the mair Send mair Sadle and bridle & lariett by him and Then he will hear where I am at I think I shall be threw with ??? in Six days from to day PAGE TWO if I am not there he will find out from them there where I am at Send the Mair for Roob Tolde John that he would have the next man to bring him down to him I am going to use him my self to wride the gun will be a good thing in camp if you can get it with out to much trouble to your Self The auld fellow can’t write and he wants his gun and Mair with So I can use his I am a heap of trouble I think I can’t tell what you think but I recon you think the same yours C Smith LETTER TWO Read (Red) Rock Creek Aug 25th/1865 Friend Stien Sir You will Please Send me 3 Teamsters as I or one of my men ar going to the States as Soon as I can get a man for th?? ??? Send (me? the?) regular auld bull drivers for all the men I have had lately ar stage drivers as soon as they see Roob they ar going to get a String of Stock I want 3 hay forks I forgot to say any thing to Mr Thomas as he won’t now a bout them and some ox lashes I can’t tell how it is with you a bout geting such things but I must have the forks and there ain’t such a thing on the road oanly what I have got and the mule teamster broke the 1 I let them have I need the gun and ammunision all rite and am under obligation to you for your trouble and will be happy to settle for the same I have not had any more forks in camp since Yours Truley C Smith LETTER THREE Horse Prerray Station Oct 5th 1865 Mr Stien Sir you will Please Send Mee 5 lbs of chewing Tobaco and charge the Sum to mee And oblige yours C Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Creek Jack Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 What a great find and story, bet ol C. Smith was sick when he discovered it missing (if he was still breathing!). Thanks for posting this 3 foot! SCJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 wonderful story and relic , last name is smith but that side of my family did not traverse the area then , if it said hoffer id be claiming it - they were between here and oregon back in those days , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.