Recent content by J_M_H

The Arizona Rangers (proper) weren't established until sometime around 1901. The "Arizona Brigade" was comprised almost exclusively of Texas Cavalry units during the Civil War (1st-4th Texas Cavalry regiments). It is quite conceivable that a Walker or 2 may have been found amongst the...

The Dance brothers favored blade sights. They also favored round barrels, but some Dance pistols did have octagonal barrels. Here are some examples of several Texas-made pistols. http://www.texasguntrade.com/texasrevolvers.htm

I've seen several sources that cite Forest's troops each being armed with 2 Navy pistols and a Spencer carbine. One such citation came from Alonzo Gray's book on Civil War Cavalry Tactics. Another came form a book on Forrest by Capt. J. Harvey Mathes.

He went in as a corporal and came out a private. Incidently, he was over 50 when he enlisted. Many soldiers on both sides, but especially in the Confederacy, carried their own weapons instead of government-issue. I'm well aware of the "studio portrait weapons" that were commonly used, but...

I know this is a little off-subject, but as to the other revolver... Colt? Dance Bros? Leech & Rigdon? J_M_H

Found the following link with some good historic pics for reference on the Spiller and Burr. The first couple of pages show how early versions had a gap between the front of the cylinder and the frame. http://www.csarmory.org/spiller/spiller.html J-M-H

Thanks to Pohill for posting this photo on my behalf. I sent it to him in hopes of identifying the pistol in the foreground. I'm 90% certain that it's a Whitney, but welcome any evidence that would support either possibility. The photo is of Matthew Wallace Hall, Company K, 36th Texas...