[tinygnat219]

What would you carry?

[jkomp316]

prob some kind of revolver

[Brian Williams]

One of them New fangled S&W Hand Ejectors of the K frame variety in 38 Spec.

[roo_ster]

Large Handgun: S&W Scofield in .45

Med Handgun: S&W K-frame 4" bbl

Small Handgun: S&W K-frame 2" bbl

Pocket Handgun: Some Derringer or break top revo

Shotgun: Win 1897, 14" bbl, 12 ga

Rifle: G98 Mauser in 8x57

Handy Carbine Win 1894 .30-30

[Iggy]

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/Iggy25/Thunderer.jpg

This'n. Colt .41 Thunderer

[mavracer]

saa 38/40 pistol,'97 winchester shottie ,'92 winchester SRC 38/40 and '86 winchester in 45/90.

[Rexster]

SAA. Not a bad choice even today, if the user is well-skilled. An SAA requires more manipulation than modern weapons, but will still fire enough shots to handle most civilian problems. In his time, it was enough for then Lt. Patton to use during the Punitive Expedition in Mexico, which was a bit later than 1901.

[Vern Humphrey]

An SAA might not be a bad choice in 1901, but I think I'd rather have my Colt New Service.

[Sistema1927]

I would still have the same S&W .32 top break that I purchased in 1890 (see the 1920 thread).

[Jubjub]

Colt New Service in .45 Colt or .44 Special.

[Quiet]

Mauser C-96

[M1 Shooter]

Probably a Colt SAA. Open carry was still widely practiced then, especially in the west and my ancestors lived in Montana during that time, so I would have too.

[mountainclmbr]

I would carry the 44 mag Desert Eagle that I snuck past TSA (Time Travel Security Administration)

[McCall911]

Because expanding type ammo wasn't common then, I'd want a revolver in something like .38-40, .41 Long Colt, .44-40, or .45 Colt.

[Dravur]

I would carry my Colt Peacemaker in .45 Colt... made in... 1901
And I still own it.

[Kaylee]

Given what I could afford, prolly a cheap little velo-dog or whatnot.

But I'd want a SAA. Prolly one of them fancy smokeless 1894 .30-30s to. :)

[Peter M. Eick]

SAA or possible a 1896 Broomie!

[Nameless_Hobo]

SAA

[Gene_WI]

Mauser c-96

[Heavy Metal Hero]

7.65mm Luger.

[LightningJoe]

http://www.fulmersantiqueguns.com/Images/rempep.gif


Remington Elliot Deringer 32 RF cal 4 barrel

[ArchAngelCD]

A Remington 1890 Police in .45 Colt on my side and a short barrel 1894 Colt Bisley in my belt. I would have a good knife in my boot too.

[TimboKhan]

I know this is a handgun thread, but I personally would carry a 94. I have more of a Rifleman thing going on than I do a duelist thing.

If I had to choose a pistola? Peacemaker in .45 Colt.

[daniel (australia)]

A Webley .455 - fairly compact, potent (especially wih the new "Manstopper" hollow point bullets), double action and it breaks open for fast reloading:

http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/4849/Mkivweb.jpg

And for back-up I'd have a "British Bulldog" in the same calibre. Solid frame, but tremendously compact yet still firing a good stopping calibre:

http://photos.joesalter.com/7541/7541-01.jpg

[Deanimator]

Model 1900 Parabellum

[Mat, not doormat]

Colt SAA, .44-40. '73 Carbine in .44-40. Winchester '97, 12 Ga.

BTW, Re: non expanding ammunition back then, wasn't soft cast lead the original expanding ammo? That's what the revolver of your choice would have fired, back then.

~~~Mat

[daniel (australia)]

Expanding bullets were definitely around by 1901.

The .455 Mk III round, introduced to service in 1898, had the Manstopper bullet I mentioned - a blunt lead number with a huge hollow nose:

http://cartridgecollectors.org/455/43.gif

The Poms also had the soft-nosed .303 bullets developed at Dum Dum in India, and the hollow-pointed Mks III, IV and V ammunition of the late 1890s.

It was the international kerfuffle about the British introducing hollow point and soft-nose expanding bullets and possibly using them against Europeans in the Boer War which led to the Hague Convention of 1899, which of course outlawed their use in wars between contracting parties.

[Hunter0924]

Colt SAA

[tinygnat219]

I'm surprised no one went to my favorite Model 1895 Nagant Revolver, or one of my more traditional favorites the S&W Number 3 firing .44 Russian.

[hankpac]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r75/hankpac/Shooting/DSC05486.jpg

In the Browning Home, at Nauvoo, IL. Patent year 1895.

[JesseL]

In the Browning Home, at Nauvoo, IL. Patent year 1895.

I'm sure there are some design characteristics of the Hi Power that would have been patented in 1895 (Short recoil operated breech locking system?), but the P-35 didn't come out until 1935.

[GunTech]

Another vote for the Webley, in this case a Webley Wilkinson service in 455.

[TN_shooter]

Phased plasma rifle in the 40 Megawatt range:cool:

[Andrewsky]

Colt M1900

but more likely a Webley Mk 1.

[Michael Zeleny]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r75/hankpac/Shooting/DSC05486.jpg
In the Browning Home, at Nauvoo, IL. Patent year 1895.I'm sure there are some design characteristics of the Hi Power that would have been patented in 1895 (Short recoil operated breech locking system?), but the P-35 didn't come out until 1935.That would be patent 580923 (http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=00580923&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D0580923.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F0580923%2526RS%3DPN%2F0580923&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page) for a .38 caliber gas operated semi-automatic pstol,filed on September 14, 1895, issued on April 20, 1897:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/jmb01.jpg
Not much in common with the Hi-Power.

[rhubarb]

I'd invent the 1911.:neener:

[JesseL]

In the Browning Home, at Nauvoo, IL. Patent year 1895.
I'm sure there are some design characteristics of the Hi Power that would have been patented in 1895 (Short recoil operated breech locking system?), but the P-35 didn't come out until 1935.
That would be patent 580923 for a .38 caliber gas operated semi-automatic pstol,filed on September 14, 1895, issued on April 20, 1897:

Looking at the Photobucket album where hankpac has his Hi Power picture hosted, I notice that there he has it labeled as "Patent 1897". So, that being the case, the date could refer to patent #580924 (http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=00580924&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D0580923.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F0580923%2526RS%3DPN%2F0580923&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page).
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/J_M_Lambert/Guns/us000580924-002.jpg

[Ranger 40]

The C96 Mauser. This gun with the removable shoulder stock was very popular in the West. They are very seldom shown in the movies, but western folks liked modern firearms. If you every visit the Cody Museum in Cody Wyoming you will see one carried by an Indian Scout.
If you look at the Old Ads for the "Tommy Guns" they were aimed at the western civilian market. The 1911 replaced the Peace Maker in a lot of western holsters after 1918.
As for me one of my C96s.:)

[hkenvy91]

colt single action army <enuff said> in 45lc

[hkenvy91]

colt single action army <enuff said> in 45lc
its a shame you didnt pick the year 1911 :)

[hankpac]

Here is a closer view of the photo of the firearm. The tag shows 1897.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r75/hankpac/Shooting/DSC05486_2.jpg

[tinygnat219]

its a shame you didnt pick the year 1911

hkenvy91,
I wanted to get that pesky firearm out of the discussion as it's already discussed enough elsewhere. That and I have a book on my shelf called 1901 where the Germans invade the US. I was thinking that between the Spanish American War and WWI, there was some weapons development, but what would be the American weapons issued / carried if Imperial Germans invaded prior to the Springfield 1903, and what would the sidearm be as America transitioned from Black Powder to Smokeless?

[Kaylee]

Hunh - that is an interesting thought tinygnat. If we were invaded in 1901, I can see the 1911 never coming to fruition. I mean, JMB and the design were there, but would the Feds have adopted it, if they had on hand a huge stock of whatever they bought during a war occurring 10 years previously? Interesting thought.

And hankpac - Then the tag is wrong. Not a suprise, museum curators do make mistakes. They prolly just read one of the patent dates and presumed that settled that. As noted above, that's not the case.

On 1911s replacing SAAs out west - kinda neat some of the old holsters actually. There's a neat concho'd up mexican loop type holster, just like you'd see on a B Western movie screen - but made for a 1911 - in that "carrying iron" or whichever book it was on Western gunleather that came out a few years back. Neat piece. :)

[Sistema1927]

hankpac said:

Here is a closer view of the photo of the firearm. The tag shows 1897.

Sorry, but the picture is still a P-35, as in 1935, and is John Browning's last design. His work in 1897 was a long way away from maturity at that point. He had patents at that date that would take years to develop.

Besides, I bet the P-35 in that picture is a 9x19, so much for the museum tag stating that it is a .45.

[Checkman]

Oh this easy. Not too much different then the 1920 thread.

A pre-war Mauser C96 (Broomhandle) in a customized shoulder holster.

A S&W "Lemon Squeezer" (32) as my pocket gun.

A Winchester 1895 carbine in 30-40 and a Winchester 1897 shotgun in 12guage with a cut down barrel.

Once again this is a fantasy so price isn't an option for all you historians out there.

[telomerase]

A Maxim gun, or maybe a French 75... remember, in 1901 Americans could buy anything they wanted!

I guess to actually drag around, Webley .455.

[dawgtraxx]

this Colt 1877 Lightning .38

[Vern Humphrey]

That and I have a book on my shelf called 1901 where the Germans invade the US. I was thinking that between the Spanish American War and WWI, there was some weapons development, but what would be the American weapons issued / carried if Imperial Germans invaded prior to the Springfield 1903,

The Krag-Jorgensen was our standard rifle, the Colt .38 our standard handgun. We had a small collection of gatling guns (in .30 US) and Colt potato digger machinergun. The problem would not be new weapons, but production of any weapons. We had nightmarish problems with that in 1917-18, and had to take what we could get. Fortunately, Remington, Winchester and Eddystone were just wrapping up production of the British P14, which slightly modified became the US M1917.

But we also used British Enfields, Russian M91s, Canadian Rosses, and so on.

I suspect under that scenario, we'd have stripped our armories of trapdoor Springfields and Colt SAAs, then armed our troops with whatever commercial weapons were available.

[tinygnat219]

Hunh - that is an interesting thought tinygnat. If we were invaded in 1901, I can see the 1911 never coming to fruition. I mean, JMB and the design were there, but would the Feds have adopted it, if they had on hand a huge stock of whatever they bought during a war occurring 10 years previously? Interesting thought.

Kaylee,

Thanks! I thought this forum post would be interesting to see what was available since the US was in a state of arms transition. I imagine the arms would be very similar to what was used in the Spanish American War. Imagine a world where the 1911 never came around. :eek:

[Vern Humphrey]

Imagine a world where the 1911 never came around.
The 1911 was ordained to be -- God would never let me thrash around in the jungle with a <barf> Luger on my hip!!

[Prince Yamato]

Broomhandle mauser. Also an 1897 trench gun. I'd carry it all under my duster, which would be made of sealskin and have ivory buttons.

[collateral]

PISTOL: Webley .455 caliber MK. IV

SHOTGUN: Browning Auto 5, 12 gauge, 18 inch barrel

[Dionysusigma]

Probably a Nagant with hottish loads and a chopped barrel.

[tinygnat219]

Back to top

[SaMx]

was .44 special around at that time?
If it was I would go with a revolver in that.
I just looked it up. .44 special was invented in 1907 and .38 special is from 1902, so both are out. I guess a double action revolver in .45 colt then.

[Vern Humphrey]

Unless you wanted the relatively fragile early Colts, your choice would be the New Service, which came out in '99 (or '98, according to some authorities.)

[koja48]

Probably a Colt SAA, until 1911 arrived.:D

[Geronimo45]

Webley Mark I.

[Novus Collectus]

Top break Iver Johnson hammerless in .38 S&W, or a top break S&W "Lemmon Squeezer" in .38 S&W.

[tinygnat219]

.44 Special wasn't around, but .44 Russian was.

[SigfanUSAF]

Sorry, this is just sad. Every other response here is SAA. Would you really want to work that darn ejector rod 6 times in a frantic reload hiding behind your wagon, loading one cartridge, spin, load......

Give me a pair of S&W 2nd model Schofields and get outta the way!

[lwrnc1963]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/lwrnc1963/DSC00460.jpg
I'd use my Webley MK II and the manstopper bullets posted earlier.

[Glock22]

Some kind of single action colt in .45 or .44-40.

[Geno]

What do you mean if...I thought most of us did. :evil: Oh, didn't answer:

I'd be touting about a Colt single action in .45 Long Colt.

[zinj]

SHOTGUN: Browning Auto 5, 12 gauge, 18 inch barrel

The Auto-5 didn't enter production until 1903 at FN.

As for my choices, a Smith and Wesson .38 Hand Ejector and one of the myriad SXS shotguns (proofed for smokeless powder, of course) probably wouldn't be too far fetched. A Winchester 1890 pump .22 would be a nice complement. If I had a bit more money I would add a Winchester 94 and 97.

[Jmeyer1292]

Luger in .30 Luger. Then I switch it out for 9mm in one year (1902).

[koja48]

Good point . . . I'll carry TWO SAAs, mebbe three . . .

[tinygnat219]

Now,
If anyone has pictures of what they would carry, please post 'em! I've seen some good ones!

[Bondo_Red]

9 mm Mauser C96,british bulldog,an Enfield mk1, or a nagant 1895 if I was in russia

[TehK1w1]

A pair of SAAs in 45 colt and a Marlin 1895 in .45-70

[tinygnat219]

C'mon, there's gotta be something new...

[chipperi]

Hmm dont know much about that periods firearms, but I would petition congress to clarify the legislation that strengthened and essentially formed the National Guard in that year. This way it is clarified that the National Guard is not the same as the state militia as the National Guards website now claims. So these antis stop crying that the Guard is a "well regulated Militia"

[6_gunner]

Probably a Winchester 1892 in .44-40, a Colt SAA in .44-40 and a Mauser broomhandle.

[The Bushmaster]

Colt SAA in .44-40 and a Winchester Mod 92 in .44-40...

[Alaskapopo]

Broomhandle Mauser.
pat

[ArchAngelCD]

After reading all the posts in this thread I think I will have to change my choices. Not realizing there were some faster reloading pistols available at the time I originally said:
A Remington 1890 Police in .45 Colt on my side and a short barrel 1894 Colt Bisley in my belt. I would have a good knife in my boot too.
Now, the knife in the boot still stands but I might want to change over to a Top Break Schofield in either .45 Colt or .44 Russian. Like said already in this thread, (to paraphrase) why eject and load 1 round at a time when you can eject all 6 at once?

I do like the Remington 1890 though!! :neener:

[BigBlock]

Well, it's 2007 and I'm about to pickup a Blackhawk in .45 Colt as my main carry weapon, so of course I'd be carrying the original Colt model. My backup would be an 1898 American Bulldog .38 S&W, which is still my backup in 2007. ;)

[1911 guy]

Peacemaker with bird head grips. Only revolver I've got that fits my hand well at all.

[tinygnat219]

Prince Yamoto,

Broomhandle mauser. Also an 1897 trench gun. I'd carry it all under my duster, which would be made of sealskin and have ivory buttons.

This had me spewing Diet Coke all over the monitor.

[GaryM]

ANother C96 mauser here.

[dav]

Being a Cowboy Action shooter, I'd carry the same thing I do now. :)

Although my Cowboy guns are duplicates, not originals. I do have original Springfield Trapdoor and American Krag rifles that fit the timeframe, though...

Oh, back then firearms were more for providing food or fighting wars than for personal protection. So I think SAAs would work fine. If you needed 10 shots to bag your dinner, you deserved to go hungry!

[RandomMan]

S&W Model 2 Schofield if I could find one, a Model 3 in .44 Russian if I couldn't.

Back up? My H&R 6" Target Model in .22 LR.

[Vern Humphrey]

By 1901 there were some truly legendary guns available -- the Model 95 Winchester, the Krag-Jorgensen (our standard military rifle), the M98 Mauser, the Colt New Service and so on. No need to settle for the oddities or relics -- get the good stuff.

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

Probably a colt SAA 4 5/8 in barrel in 45colt. maybe a Thunderer in 41

[PhrankKastle]

In 1901 without question I'd go with a Webley Mk II in .455 and a Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine Mk I in .303.

[yesit'sloaded]

A Bira gun. It is similar to a Lewis machine gun but chambered in .577/450 Martini-Henry.

[6_gunner]

Would you really want to work that darn ejector rod 6 times in a frantic reload hiding behind your wagon, loading one cartridge, spin, load......

Certainly not! That's when I introduce my Broomhandle backup gun. :cool:

Carrying three Peacemakers would work too, like somebody else said.

[Vern Humphrey]

By 1901 you could get speed loaders for your Colt New Service.

[Elm Creek Smith]

First Model Merwin & Hulbert Pocket Army in .44 WCF with the three inch barrel worn in a Tom Threepersons holster on my gunbelt.

http://www.ocyoung.com/Merwin2.htm (The top revolver on this page.)

A Winchester '73 carbine in .44 WCF.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?cPath=168&products_id=2602

Second issue Smith & Wesson 1 1/2 top-break .32 S&W in my pocket.

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/images/1132TB-976bx.jpg

Hey, I'm a cowboy, sorta.

ECS

[Erik]

The Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector model. Introduced in 1899, its been known as the the Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolver, the Smith & Wesson Model 10 and (for those produced during WWII) the Smith & Wesson Victory Model. It was one of the better choices in handguns for self defense circa 1901. It remains a fine choice today despite being arguably surpassed in many areas.

[2TransAms]

This thread is pointless...why,before the hi-cap semi-auto, MAC-10, .50 BMG,and barrel shrouds there was no crime. Ever.

Anyway,in 1901 most of my family was still in Europe.

[Elm Creek Smith]

Anyway,in 1901 most of my family was still in Europe.

Patrilineal line arrived in Virginia in 1674. Paternal grandma's patrilineal line arrived in Pennsylvania in 1741. Mom was upset I couldn't trace her family line in detail: her maiden name was Smith....

My grandfather's older brother was in the P.I. in 1901 armed with a Colt SAA and a Krag carbine.

ECS

[grimjaw]

Webley MK IV.

jm

[GRB]

A sword, probably a Cutlass, and a Colt revolver. And a Bowie Knife too. Of course I would not want to forget a shotgun, nor a rifle. probably a Marlin or Winchester rifle, don't know about the shotgun.

[Lone Star]

No one has mentioned being able to get the ammo for gun desired. Some foreign ammo would be hard to obtain here.

If I could get .455, I'd like a commercial blue finished Webley Army revolver. Essentially a MK. IV with an optional square butt, it could be had with six-inch barrel, which I'd prefer. I'd have Webley hand-finish the action, too.

The Manstopper solid lead flat-point bullets for close range (but probably not the HP MK. III round mentioned by our Aussie friend), and MK. II lead ammo for out to 50 yerds or so.

Beyond that range, the .45 Colt would be preferable, and I'd want a 4.75-inch barrelled SAA for general wear, and a 7.5-inch berrelled one for open areas and around dangerous game.

THe reason why I didn't choose the Wilkinson-Webley is that I don't particulary like the handle on the 1892 version, and the better 1905 model was yet to come. My Army model with bright blue finish and and honed action would be equivalent to the M-1905 Wilkinson version., and the fine WG is a larger, bulkier gun that the Army model that I mentioned, based on the MK. IV service revolver.

The New Service is useable for me, but the cylinder timing had issues, as with all pre MK III Colts, and before the 1905 revision, I don't like the looks of the New Service. It doesn't lie as well in the hand as does the SAA, or have its superb balance and pointing ability.

Why 1901? Were you just trying to avoid having most posts read for the M-1911 .45 auto? The M-1903 Springfield?

One gun that I WOULDN'T want is the US service revolver of the day, in .38 long Colt. And the S&W M&P didn't have the front cylinder lock until 1902.

For rifles, I'd sure want an M-92 Winchesr .44 for shorter ranges and defense against men, and a sporting 7mm Mauser and a .303 Sporter for average use. (Ammo available where I was.)

In the US, my heavier rifles might have had to be a .30/40 Krag, backed up by an Winchester M-86 in .45/90 for heavier animals.

This thread makes me glad that I live today, with so many wonderful choices.

Lone Star

[woad_yurt]

I'd probably have one of these. I've always been a city boy and these are kinda good for the pockets. Plus, I think it only cost $2.50 when new. I should take a picture of it since I cleaned it up. It looks pretty good now.

[Revolver Justice]

I would carry two Colt SAA Sheriff's model in .45LC and a Winchester 94 in 30-30.

[sixgunner455]

K frame hand ejector, .38 Special.

The originals were round butts. Might have to have two -- one a 4", the other a 2".

A Schofield or .44 Russian if I wanted a big bore.

[CSA 357]

Two colt saa in 45 lc,wichester 73 in 44 40, 78 browning in 45 70, 97 winchester, and a mule to carry it all:D csa

[evan price]

Colt M1900 semi-auto in .38 ACP with several spare mags.

Perhaps a S&W hand ejector M&P in .38 S&W.

[crankshop1000]

A "WALKER" of course.

[SlamFire1]

I have seen a previous one of these, something like what would you have if it were 1890 or something.

Have you folks ever thought if you could afford these firearms, if it were 1901?

I did a google search and the average household income for a year was $965.

I think only Santa Claus could afford the wish lists I have seen.

Does not hurt to dream though....

[Vern Humphrey]

If I can afford a Wayback Machine to take me to 1901, I can afford to buy all the guns I want when I get there.:D

It that wasn't the case, I wouldn't go.:p

[woad_yurt]

Yay! Someone mentioned cost. A lot of the above were high dollar items for their day. Also, most places didn't allow someone to walk around visibly armed to the teeth.

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

wait a few more years for the 1911 to come out lol

[crebralfix]

I'd kill off John Browning before he invented the 1911...can't have that abomination of a pistol hanging around for a 100 years.

After that, I'd "invent" the 45 ACP round and the SIG P220 and P220 SAO. Perhaps I'd come out with the Hi-Power and some sort of metal framed Glock :)

[cwmcgu2]

1901? Hmmmmm..... SAA in 45LC. Sure double action revolvers were gettin better and semi-autos were emerging on the market, but the SAA was still a perfectly adequate gun for self defense and I really like em :( [stops to ponder in sorrow his poor college budget that has kept him from owning one yet].

[English Bob]

Colt 1878DA or SAA:D

[Nitrogen]

I'd build a time machine out of a steam locomotive and gotten a GLOCK. :P