George Inman, Scout

[Hobie]

True West magazine had an ad for Two Rivers Gallery and the major feature of that ad was this photo of George Inman.  Note the 1906 date.  I'm interested in what you history loving guys have to say about the photo or know about the man.



PS.  The rifle appears to be a Remington M8 (as opposed to the slightly earlier FN version which would have had a ribbed barrel) and it is custom in that the stock and sights are not the norm/standard versions).  Several have pointed out that the revolver is likely a No. 3.  The question was raised about his "missing digit" on his right hand.  What do you think? 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

If that picture were dated 1896, it'd probably still look the same.  Except for the rifle he could probably also be back in 1886 and even 1876.  I can't tell for sure about the pistol - it could be a Schofield, but I'm not 100% sure.

His gauntlets and jacket are decorated more in the "Show" style, but an experienced scout around Indians could have had some lovely decorations, not just for the "Wild West" shows.

He looks great!
**************************************


(added 8 May)  Well, I guess I failed miserably at the "Weapons Identification Station." 


He's still Dressed pretty well in what was available pre 1900 - unless I'm wrong about that, too. 

I never have claimed to be an expert!

 

[Pitspitr]

I'll betcha he doesn't wear a wedding ring. After loosing his right ring finger I''ll bet if he were married and wore a wedding ring, he took it off and put it in a drawer rather than take a chance on loosing another finger to a ring.

When Cathy and I got engaged we were shopping for wedding rings she asked me what kind of ring I wanted and I said, " It doesn't matter I won't wear it anyway." When she asked why not  I told her that 1; I'd wear it out too fast and 2; there are too many guys who've jumped off something and lost their finger when their ring got caught on something.

[Irish Dave]

From the revolver grip shape, I'd guess it's probably a turn of the century DA model of some kind -- Colt probably, Smith ....maybe.

Belt looks like a wide moneybelt type for double rows of cartridges.

[St. George]

The revolver looks to be a Colt New Army - you can see the lanyard loop.

The Remington Model 8 was first produced in 1906 - ending production in 1936.

I doubt there's a missing digit - just a bent finger.

The outfit is of the 'showman' type and the belt looks like the one Buffalo Bill used in his shows - the edge of that huge buckle shows.

Buffalo Bill had a lot of 'friends'...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

I doubt there's a missing digit - just a bent finger.

you may be right  St. George, but to me it looks like there is wadded up glove finger where it should be.

[St. George]

Those are fingerless gloves...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

Yes I know but the fingers appear to go out to about the first nuckle.

[Terry Lane]

Howdy all,
I've been asked by several folks to research my "Buffalo Bill" library (80+ volumes right now) and possibly shed some light on the George Inman in the photo. Unfortunately, after 4 days of searching, I can't find a single reference to a George Inman, scout and friend of Buffalo Bill. I'm not denying I could have missed some small reference but here's what I did find. A good friend of Cody's was Col. Henry Inman, scout, mountain man, many years in the Quartermaster Corps and author of several books. I thought the picture might have been of him, but since he died in 1899, several years before the date on the picture, I guess not. So I guess I, or more correctly my library, has failed in this mission. A couple of items about Col. Inman follow.

Col. Henry Inman (q. v.) is best known as the author of "The Old Santa Fe Trail," which was published in 1897. The story is a thrilling narrative of that famous highway reaching from Independence, Mo., to Santa Fe, New Mex., which was a scene of frequent conflict between traders and Indians. Mr. Inman is said to have spent forty years on the plains and in the Rocky mountains, and was familiar with all the famous men, both white and red, whose lives have made the story of the trail. He has written a great deal about the adventures of the early days in the west. His tales are historically invaluable because they depict the customs of a highly colored life just past.

Col. Henry Inman. The Old Santa Fe Trail. 1898

This book was written by Col. Henry Inman, ex-officer of the old Regular Army and Assistant Quartermaster who spent more than 40 years on the plains and in the Rocky Mountains, and who was acquainted with the famous individuals whose lives made the story of the Santa Fe Trail. The book is dedicated to William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) who wrote the Preface, and is illustrated with plates by Frederic Remington (1861-1909), the most famous of the Western artists.

By the way, I agree with St. George that the attire is most likely Wild West performer gear, given the cavalier buckle. Possibly at Cody's ranch (hunting lodge) north of Cody.

Take care.   

[Hobie]

Thanks Terry, that's pretty much all that we found out including the location.  Are the buildings still standing there?  Anyway, I'd like to know how the gallery came to that description of the fellow and I sure do like his snazzed up Rem M8!