Walker results and questions

[Peter M. Eick]

Lets see the pictures please?

I agree, lets take the Walkers back to full power.

Thinking of Texican's, I have to say holding a Walker out and letting a round fly is quite impressive. I don't think staring one down would be much fun. I know I would be quite intimidated!

 

[Steve499]

The way my belt works down now, I'd think if I was wearing TWO Walkers, the consternation I would cause to anyone behind me would make even a plumber blush!

Steve

 

[Manyirons]

The way my belt works down now, I'd think if I was wearing TWO Walkers, the consternation I would cause to anyone behind me would make even a plumber blush!

Steve

Nah, Three inch belt AND suspenders! Wonder how Clint did it in Outlaw Josy Wales? Someday going to see what my 40+ guns look like all at the same time! Wonder if i can get a gold tooth, bandoliers and a sombrero?

 

[Old Fuff]

O.K. you guys, forget the movie actors and take a look at the real thing...

This Texan should make Peter proud. Meet Ranger John S. (R.I.P.) Ford. The original Texas Rangers were formed not as a law enforcement agency, but to protect frontier settlements and ranches against Indian attack. Often fighting from horseback, they were one of the first to use Sam Colt’s new patent repeating pistols. And use them to good effect they did. In an era of single shots, Colt’s revolver was a force multiplier of 5 when using Paterson-made guns, and 6 with a Walker or Dragoon. When someone carried two (as Ford obviously did)… well you get the picture. Carrying two horse pistols on one’s belt must have been a weightily experience, but these early “Texicans” were up to it. The revolvers shown in the picture are thought by some to be Walkers, while others say Dragoons. My vote, looking at the size and length of the holsters, says Walkers – and two of them. Ford knew Walker personally, and was in a position to get such guns.

As for the R.I.P. business. Ford, who was also a Physician of sorts, would sign Death Certificates with that after his name. It stood for “Rest In Peace” and you can use your own imagination as to how the deceased may have gotten into that lamentable condition.

 

[BigG]

Interesting mode of carry old RIP chose...

 

[Old Fuff]

Having not personally met the gentleman I can't say for sure...

But sometimes in those days when a photograph was taken, (which was a major undertaking) the photographer might have ask him to scoot those big six-guns around to the front so they'd show in the picture. As he is wearing them in the picture he couldn't sit down...

But in any case it was nice that he did so, because it give us a chance to identify the guns.

Obviously the picture of the real man if a far cry from what Hollywood comes up with...

 

[Manyirons]

How do we know he's not got two more in back? Great anchors for high winds!

 

[Old Fuff]

At that time getting two guns would have taken some connections, which he likely had, but more then two would have been highly unlikely. I will stick my neck out and say he probably had one or more Paterson Colts, but he could have worn them out. What I'd really like to see (and haven't) is a picture of a Texas Ranger with one or more Paterson models. Keep in mind that at this time (late 1830 - 1840's) There weren't a whole lot of picture-takers or cameras in Texas. We are lucky this image survived.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Amazing picture. Thanks! I would think for a SASS shoot, two walkers would be do-able. But in the real world, I hate to saunter down the streets of Laredo with two Walkers on during August. That my friends might just not be pleasant.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well remember, this particular model was supposed to be carried by a horse. not on the belt.

But I know of this and at least one other picture of a man carrying (one) Walker on his person. I suspect that when Ol' R.I.P. got on his mount the revolvers were shifted from his belt to the saddle. I would think that wearing them while riding would have been a killer.

After the Walker came out a number of Texans lost no time in writing to Colt pleading for a lighter model to carry. Fortunately at least some of these leters still exist in Hartford. Always atune to the desires and needs of Texans, Colt came out with his first "Pocket Model" in 1847.

 

[mec]

according to Whitting, The Colt Whitneyville Walker Pistol, Ford did abstract two Walker Colts for himself from the general issue. The regs said no officers, only troops would get them but the officers did pretty much what they liked.

 

[Old Fuff]

Of course this comes as a big shock to me! Who would have expected such a thing...

And then he had his picture took...!?

 

[SixForSure]

Thats no lever! Its a monopod rest!

Hmmmmmmmmm. Paint the grips black, call it a "Tactical" Walker, and you could probably sell it for a tidy profit.