I suspect this may have been dealt with in a previous thread but I'd like to hear your opinions on it. The alternate story of the weapon he used in the fight with the Clantons & McLowerys was a .44 given to him by John P Clum, mayor of Tombstone & editor of the Tombstone Epitath, rather than the traditional Colt Buntline Special. He had a canvas pocket sewn into his overcoat, rubbed with beeswax to help get any gun he carried out quicker. A 12" barrelled revolver would've been way to unwieldy for a personal defense weapon. I read he took it to a gunsmith & had the barrel trimmed back to about 8", but it was not used in the fight. Whether the S&W was used or not, does anyone know whatever happened to it? Thanx for your time, jd45

If you search the archives on the Forum, there are several entries dealing with the so called " Wyatt Earp American Model" I don't know the current location of the gun. The Franklin Mint put out a copy of it some years ago as part of a series of repo. guns of famous western gun fighters & lawmen. S&W sued Franklin Mint to prevent them putting S&W's name on the repo. gun and examples sold to the public do not have the barrel rib stamping seen on the original gun. I personally examined the gun at the owner's shop in Tombstone in 1970 and advised him that it's provenance as Wyatt Earp's gun used in the OK Corral shootout was doubtful for several reasons. Ed.

Thank you Ed....I will attempt to go thru the archives & search for the ref's to this firearm. jd45

Ed, I'm having trouble getting to the Archives section on the site. I started by clicking on the word "Search", tried a couple things, and drew a blank. Could you take a couple of minutes when you have time & walk me thru the steps to get there? I'll appreciate your help, jd45

Here is a thread on Wyatt Earp.
Dave
smith and wesson of 1881

Thanx Dave, I really appreciate the help, jd45