First impression of new Uberti 3rd model Dragoon

[Tommygunn]

Dont you know after the third or fourth horse all of Custers other horses were nervous as heck?!!!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

Ha-ha.
But it does prompt another G. A. Custer story -- involving a horse, of course.
Custer's first Plains Indians mission was in winter, 1866-7 and was called the "Hancock Expedition," after the leader, General Hancock (Custer was really only a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Cavalry).
This was in "Indian Territory" Northeats of the Red River which forms the N.E. border of Texas, and there was maybe 1-1.5 feet of snow on the ground. It was believed htting the Indians in winter camp would increase the cavalry's odds a lot, but it was still rather experimental.
Custer had brought along two of his hounds and was riding his favorite Civil War horse, Custis Lee. Spotting a deer off the path Custer sent his hounds after it and followed, plowing easily through the winter snow. Eventually, the hounds lost the deer, but at about this time they came across a maverick lone buffalo, and Custer, always one for some fun, gave chase.
Riding alongside the buffalo, Custer pressed the chase to the point the buffalo became exhausted, its tongue rolling out of its mouth and breathing hard. Custer cocked his Colt revolver, and placed it against the beast's head (he was that close) but then relented, wishing to continue his ... "fun." He would repeat this several times.
Eventually the poor buffalo, now spent, stumbled -- and unfortunatly, it stumbled into our great hero's horse. Regrettably, at this point, Custer's revolver was pointing directly at Custis Lee's skull. Regrettable, because a startled Custer accidently fired off the round, blowing his horse's brains out all over the winter wonderland.
Down they went, Custer propelling himself away from the collapsing mount.
His revolver goes spinning off into the snow somewhere .... and there a really really p'o'd buffalo stomping around..... The buffalo -- probably possessing more sense than the two-legged critter sitting a few feet away -- relents and wanders off.
Thankfully, awhile later a detachment of his Cavalry arrive and rescues the luckless "Autie" Custer and, as a young cavalryman brings up a replacement horse for their fallen leader, Custer asks him how they managed to locate him.


This is why I made that point about the 1 to 1.5 feet of snow on the ground ....

If you wish to read more Custer Antics, the above and more can be found in the tome, "My Life on the Plains," by George Armstrong Custer.
Yeah ... he actually wrote about that adventure ... boasting about how nimble he was......

Hey ... atleast he was honest.

 

[72coupe]

I believe that Custer was not a man of admireable character.

 

[Tommygunn]

I believe that Custer was not a man of admireable character.

Naw ... he just had a few character flaws.


He was an egotist and was impulsive, yes....but he did not have the market cornered on these traits in the United States Army of his time.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I've been on the lookout for a Cimarron 3rd Model Dragoon, they all seem to be out of stock on the net though!

 

[YumaKid]

Originally Posted by Tommygunn:
George Armstrong Custer had 11 horses shot out from under him in the Civil War ... just FYI.
It's a wonder he wasn't killed or maimed for life but as we all know fate had a different ending for him.


A horse wreck is a sobering situation and many a person have been permanently crippled or killed going down with a horse.

Having had 2 horses "go down" on me; I have to say those occasions are the scariest moments in my life. Both times the horses went down nose first; and I found myself "flying" once; and had a foot trapped in a stirrup once. Took a while to get all the mud out of my mouth the first time; and the second time gave me the temporary moniker of "Hopalong" (sprained ankle).
Both horses recovered faster than I did!

Trying to steer this back on track; I'm surprised at the number of stories that DON'T discuss a horse's initial reaction to the first smoke and BOOM! coming from "above and behind" them. From the one time I witnessed such an event, it's akin to riding a Magic Mountain roller coaster, with no seat belts or bars or anything else to keep you in the car.
Just ain't pretty... but a little bit entertaining to watch.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Horses have been targets in warfare for as long as they have been used in warfare and their riders have tried to protect them as much as possible. The medieval knight's horse had armor just like it's rider to protect the horse. It could be quilted padded cloth, leather, chain mail or if it's owner was rich enough, plate armor. Often it was a combination of the various items. When the revolver came into use for mounted cavalry it would only make sense to have one that would not only be capable of taking out your opponent, but his mount as well. In the Civil war the US did not gain much traction in the war until after the cavalry became a factor which it took over two years to train and equip. Warhorses are not born, they are trained which takes time and knowledgeable handlers.

 

[RS1860]

Talk about hijacked! It's all good, I enjoy all discussions