Charlie Bowdre's Carbine

[Coal Creek Griff]

I've seen these photos of Charlie Bowdre many times, but I forgot that the had an 1876 carbine.  I'm wondering what you think, though.  I'm most familiar with the first photo, where the gun is pointed to his left.  I think that I'm seeing the saddle ring on the right side, which makes me think that this is a reversed photo, typical of tintypes.  If that is so, he appears to be wearing his revolver in a left-handed holster, which seems uncommon.

Then there is the second photo, which I believe was recovered from his body at the time of his death.  In that one, I think that I'm seeing the loading gate on the right side of the gun.  It appears to be returned to its "normal" (not mirror-imaged) configuration.  The holster looks the same, but is reversed from the first photo.  The tilt of his hat is tilted the opposite direction.  What is odd is that his wife seems to have changed sides and mimicked her stance.

To help with the discussion, I'll add a copy of the first photo, where I flipped it to make it match the orientation of the second.

I've only been comparing these photos this morning, so I'm still sorting it out.  What do you think?

CC Griff

[Galloway]

Seems to all add up to me. Maybe that was a common pose for expecting mothers?

[Slamfire]

 I don't see a loading gate in the 2nd photo ,, more like a reflection ,, I still see a saddle ring that is flipped over ,, the lady appears to have a dark ring on her 3rd. finger. I feel the 2nd. photo to be correct ,, ( say's the man w/ a glass eye & cataracts in the " good " eye ).

   Cool pic's. I also have seen these before and was never sure ,, thanks for the mystery .

coffee's ready Hootmix.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Anyone else notice the cell phone in the pocket of Manuela's dress in the first photo?

CC Griff

[treebeard]

Is it known what caliber it is or if it exists??

[Coal Creek Griff]

Is it known what caliber it is or if it exists??

I'd love to know the answer to that as well.  My research efforts (Google) have failed to answer that question so far.

CC Griff

[Delmonico]

The first and second pictures are reversed, that is actually pretty plain, due to buttons on her dress and his belt buckle.

[Boone May]

I'm not sure when he got married to Manuela Herrera but Wikipedia says "some months before his death."   Since he died on December 23, 1880, we can presume the 1876 carbine was made before then.  It therefore could be a .45-75 (introduced 1877) or .45-60 (introduced 1879).  It's even possible it was .50-95 Express as that caliber was also introduced in 1879.  However, only 24 .50-95 Express carbines were made, so it is not likely.

We know it would NOT be .40-60 as that caliber was not introduced until 1884.

Your guess is as good as mine.   

[Montana Slim]

As far as the holster setup, I'm right handed & frequently carry strong side - reverse draw, even in "competition". I find it a convenient & comfortable way to carry & draw long barreled revolvers.

Regards,
Slim

[The original bad bob]

I have looked at those photos before.. Charlie was left handed and appears to have a slim Jim style holster with probably a 7-1/2" Colt saa in it.

Interesting that he liked the bigger 1876 Win.
John Ringo also liked the big bore 1876

[Charlie Bowdre]

Great Post . I have long been a fan of Charlie , Billy the Kid and Tom O'Follard. These three Pards were main characters in the Lincoln County Wars and the hell raising that took place . They were great friends and are supposed to be all laid to rest under a marker noted "Pards"
Charlie was shot  by the Pat Garret posse when they tracked down Billy and friends in a stone hut or building in a place (not romantically ) called Stinking Springs! I did read an old article that said the marks on the second photo of this post were Charlies blood
There are several articles on line about his last moments and how he died

Always wanted to visit this area till Covid put a stop to our rambling ways !.

Back in my young SASS days I took the alias Charlie Bowdre Still use it when I get in the game

Thanks for this informative Post!

Charlie

[dusty texian]

Hey Charlie ,  Just a side note Billy Wilson was with the boy's at Stinking Springs , he rode with the Kid for a spell was arrested by Sheriff Pat Garrett . Left the wild life and ended up in Sanderson Tx. also known as (The Town Too Mean For Bean ) a town I get to frequent often  ( Nearest Beer Stop )  Billy Wilson became the Sheriff of Terrell Co. and was well liked by most all who knew him . Around 1918 or so he went into a saloon I think the old Harrell Saloon  to arrest a drunken cow hand that he knew . The Cowhand pulled on Billy and shot him dead .  The whole town mourned his murder and gave him a great sendoff / funeral . He is buried at old Ft. Clark cemetery . Look all this up what his friend an old Ranger did after hearing about Billy being killed took the train from Dryden Tx another Cool hangout  and headed for Sanderson . The rest is interesting for sure . Good Evening Amigo .   ,,,DT

[Charlie Bowdre]

A lot of the Old West is really not so old .Thanks for this info And thanks again for the start of this thread and the info on Charlies carbine .
Charlie was a Pistolaro  for sure I never forget that
Looks like he could use a few meals of potatoes and steak!
Great gang Hi to all
Charlie

[dusty texian]

I'm with you Charlie B  , Thanks for CCG posting this . History is one of my favorite topic's and I think most here are the same .  Mentioning Billy Wilson was an extension of the story about Charlie and all, the others .  And your right ,when you can talk to someone that had a relative or knew someone that actually lived during that time makes it seem not so far away .,,,, DT

[Slamfire]

 This might seem a little strange to some folks but every time I pick up one of my 76's ( thanks DT ), my mind is " their '' in that time , flooding my mind with how it was for those fellers. It is one of the reasons I wanted a " 76 ".
  At 76 winters old. ,, it don't really seem that long ago.

  coffee's ready ,, Hootmix