Who's would have ordered it?

[Books OToole]

An exercise just for fun:

Pictured is a Smith & Wesson 4th model .38 cal. Safety Hammerless.  Options include a 5 inch barrel and ivory stocks.
It left the factory circa 1899.

The 1900 Sears Catalog lists a 5 inch, nickel, .38 Safety Hammerless at $12.50.  Pearl stocks were and extra $ 1.25 (at the time ivory was cheaper than pearl).

A box of 50 cartridges listed for $.69.

So: who would have ordered/carried such a pistol at the turn of the 20th century?

Use your historical knowledge and imagination to create a character.

Books

[Professor Marvel]

Perhaps Hugh Obrien?

[Mogorilla]

I was thinking Bat Masterson when he was in the sports announcer era. 

[Tascosa Joe]

I think a city policeman in a small town in Missouri or Eastern Kansas.

[ira scott]

I was going to say Pimp,  but he would have probably spent the additional $1.25 for the Mother of Pearl stocks!

B. N. Scotty

[Tascosa Joe]

Scotty, I think a pimp would have gone for a shorter barrel

[River City John]

Definitely someone going for the showmanship but not conceal-ability.

Or someone like Patton.

[ira scott]

Scotty, I think a pimp would have gone for a shorter barrel

But then he wouldn't be able to enter the "mine is longer than your's" discussion!

B. N. Scotty

[LongWalker]

I know the history of 3 pre-1900 lemonsqueezers.  One (3" barrel) was pocket-carried by a homesteader. One (5" barrel) was owned by a doctor in his bag while doing rounds.  One (5" barrel) was kept by a newspaper publisher/editor, and carried in the aftermath of the County Seat Wars. 

The longer (4-5" barrel) tucks nicely behind a belt, in a boot top, or behind a work apron. 

[Dusty Tagalon]

Me!

[Books OToole]

I just got my letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation.

Now I know who got the pistol in December of 1900: it was Gustav E. Dietz.

Now I need to know who this Gustav Dietz is.

Books

[Tascosa Joe]

That is way cool. 

[Tascosa Joe]

Unfortunately there are 40+ Gustav Dietz from NYC to California listed in the 1900 census.

[bear tooth billy]

Just to add some mystery, I have a pre 1914 44 1/2 Stevens Schuetzen gun that was
bought new by a Adolph Dietz. He also had an old 1895 Marlin that Peevine bought from me.
Probably no relation but???  He lived in Toronto Iowa.


                  BTB

[Books OToole]

Just to add some mystery, I have a pre 1914 44 1/2 Stevens Schuetzen gun that was
bought new by a Adolph Dietz. He also had an old 1895 Marlin that Peevine bought from me.
Probably no relation but???  He lived in Toronto Iowa.

                  BTB

Maybe we could do an exhibit of "The Dietz Family Arms." 

Books

[River City John]

Of the Lantern Dynasty Dietz' . . .

[Books OToole]

Of the Lantern Dynasty Dietz' . . .

I have not been able to find a Gustav associated with the Dietz Lantern company.

Books

[Johnson Barr]

Dim wit! Never explain humor.

[Yuma Kid]

Books,
Did the letter say where it was shipped to?
Yuma

[Books OToole]

Books,
Did the letter say where it was shipped to?
Yuma

No.  Implying that Mr. Dietz picked it up.

Books