Bufford Pusser's .41 Magnum?

E-GADS....... Hearing all this about "Walking Tall" gives me goose bumps... I really enjoyed that movie, most all of it was, don't talk to me now walking tall is on, and if you have any feelings in you there were certainly some very very sad parts... I also wondered why he made the switch from a .41 to a .357... Another thing i noticed in one reply that amazon still has those movies, i will be checking on that, thank you...

Stay L----- & L----- shoot straight and Love your family...

The best to you all,
Life in the kingdom
 
FWIW, I have worked in the nuclear industry for over 30 years, and one of the individuals I worked with was once a deputy in McNairy County TN. I asked him years ago about Buford Pusser, and in a word he told me the man was a piece of ****, and was as crooked as the day is long.

I know it is hearsay, it is not nice to speak ill of the dead, and it is just one data point, but I sincerely believe the man had no reason to lie.
 
I'm an older member of this forum,I have been gone for quite sometime dealing with life's battles. I'm catching up on some of these great post on here and I ran across this one.
First,I'd like to say it saddened me greatly as Smith41Mag is no longer with us,Tim passed awhile back but was a good friend and a great gun trader as we discussed and traded many times.He will be missed, a true gentleman.
I too grew up in West TN and collect Law Enforcement guns,have many older friends that are very close to Dwana. I have heard every opinion about Buford that there is and that's what most are,opinions.
One thing,he for sure made a name for himself.
If you want a good read, find the State Line Mob book..I think you'll get to see where the "Legend" comes from as it tells the real story.
 
I saw Walking Tall in 1973 and through the miracle of the internet I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about Buford lately.

Ran across this thread and found a lot of good information in here.

I am looking for a four-inch 58 right now.
 
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I lived in Hardeman County in 81 and 82. Had a drink at the Pine Ridge Club, visited with Pusser's mother at their home in Adamsville. Visited Pusser's grave site when some friends came to visit. Father-in-law grew up in the area and knew Pusser (they pronounced is as Purser). He said Pusser was "kind a hard on people" but he helped to clean the mess up. FIL stated the citizens retaliated after Pussers death by burning down a tavern. Who knows?
 
okfive-o's post is interesting. If correct then this one would be from the original production run of 2,600 units in 1964. It letters as shipped in April of 1968. Apparently these were slow sellers from the start. Went to a store in Florida and it was acquired last year from a Florida seller in a Gunbroker sale. Don't recall the city but looks like it didn't go far in 53 years.

old bear, they did indeed come in nickel.

S259872 shipped 4/22/68 Jesse Harp, Co. Tampa FL

Sorry for the horrible photo. It looks much better in person.

standard.jpg
 
I like it when old threads like this get brought back up. I was not a member when it was discussed before. Lots of interesting info here. Like everyone I saw the movies (the original ones with Joe Don Baker and Bo Swenson) growing up. You have to allow for Hollywood in them but he must have been something.

Earl
 
I am from Tennessee and work for a state law enforcement agency. I also had many relatives that worked in law enforcement during Pusser’s time. During my time I have heard several old timers talk about Pusser and have heard them reference Pusser and his guns. I hear he had many firearms, but I hear a lot of reference to his M-16 and his Colt Pythons. I didn’t know that I had ever heard of him having a 58 until this thread. I hear he was a huge Colt finatic.
 
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I grew up in Jackson, TN and stories about Pusser were all over the map. The father of a high school teammate of mine was a Captain in the TN Highway Patrol and lived in Henderson, TN. He knew Pusser pretty well and told us an interesting story during a road trip.

The McNairy Co. sheriff's office received word that an escaped prisoner had hopped a freight train on the line that ran through the county. Pusser and his deputies were able to stop the train. The deputies walked along either side of the train while Pusser walked along the top, carrying a BAR. The escapee was not found.
 
My wife and I went to Pigeon Forge 38 years ago after we were married, and at that time the Corvette was in the museum and we met his daughter. I was always interested in Walking Tall both versions, not so much the latest one. Great thread to follow up on!
 
Doubless said:
FWIW, I have worked in the nuclear industry for over 30 years, and one of the individuals I worked with was once a deputy in McNairy County TN. I asked him years ago about Buford Pusser, and in a word he told me the man was a piece of ****, and was as crooked as the day is long.

I know it is hearsay, it is not nice to speak ill of the dead, and it is just one data point, but I sincerely believe the man had no reason to lie.
Click to expand...

Was told the same thing by a squadron mate back in the ‘80s in the USMC. Guy had grown up there.
 
Same as others that have posted on this thread, LEO in West TN and grew up hearing the stories, some loved him other hated him but nonetheless the stories are entertaining. I too have always wondered why he went from a .41 mag M58 to the Python, I was more curious as I was younger but back when my grandfather was alive he told me his opinion and while a .41 is a big boy ammo wasn't readily available all the time especially in rural areas and also a Colt Python was something else to a law man back in the day! My grandfather had one and I have it now and it was a lot of money to their measly salary back in those days. We are Smith fans but we have always cherished our Pythons and .357 was no slouch.
Just my thoughts it wasn't so much the power,but more of the prestige and obviously Buford liked showing out a bit!
 
Many years ago, and after Buford passed, my FIL stopped in on Buford's mother's house and was invited inside for a visit. Before he left, she took him to a building in the backyard and dug around for a minute before giving my FIL a credit card slip, the old-fashioned one where the device swiped it side to side, for an oil change that had Buford's signature on it. He still has it.
 
I spent some time in that part of Tennessee while on vacation with an old girlfriend whose father lived there back in the mid 1980s. I've been to the museum and did a little background on Pusser at the time and always thought that he had a Nickle 58.
I bought a Nickel 58 that was made in the early 70s from a fellow officer who was retiring from DPD and always thought about Pusser when I handled it. I sold it off about 10 years ago.
Very interesting history in that part of Tennessee. Thanks for the memories.
 
I am from Tennessee 1956. That said, I would have changed my first and last name the first chance I got. On the other hand, it may have sent him on his way to stardom LOL
 
BEARMAN said:
Anybody got a clue why they never show the original movie "Walking Tall" with Joe Don Baker?
They used to show it alot, however, lately you never see it replayed anymore.
They show the one with the Rock and Johnny Knoxville...but it's not representative of the true story of Buford Pusser. IMO

Sure wish I could find it on dvd.
Click to expand...

The interwebs says it's available free on Plex.
 
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