One of a Kind

[Fox Creek Kid]

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/LotDetailsPrintable.aspx?intObjectID=2072653

[St. George]

Gaines de Graffenried was one of the first collectors who fully understood 'provenance' - changing the gun collecting game forever.

Early collector's magazines - 'The Gun Report' and 'Arms Gazette' cited him often - and his collection was beyond extensive.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Hangtown Frye]

I'm surprised that it went for such a low price! 

It's also interesting, however, that the revolver (being a cap and ball) was still being carried as late as 1890, when "common knowledge" would have everyone packing cartridge guns by then.  Of course we know that caplocks are just as effective as a cartridge revolver (for the first six shots, at least) when loaded properly, and a lot cheaper to shoot (especially if you already own one!), but it's nice to see something solid to back it up in the historical record other than "He had an old-fashioned gun on him."

Cheers,

Gordon 

[Pettifogger]

That is really neat.  First non-rebated cylinder I have ever seen on a 60.  Must have been a tight fit toward the rear as the frame would also have had to be machined without the step.

[Shotgun Franklin]

That a 'Drunk' was carrying an old out of date gun isn't surprising to anyone who's arrested very many drunks. I've arrested drunks carrying everything from disposable straight razors to swords to 100 year old IJ Breaktops.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Just as not everyone shot their horses the first day they saw a Model A many people used percussion arms even into the early 20th century. They were a lot cheaper to use as remember this was in the pre-entitlement America.