Guns of Tombstone

[DARE]

Watched Tombstone today. Thought I spotted a S&W. Says Virgil Earp carried a New Model 3 with nickel finish and pearl grips.

Wyatt Earp was documented in the Judge Spicer hearings as using his Model 3 Russian during the O.K. Corral shootout.

 

[lestert357]

Well you know there were a few of these…..

 

[gunbarrel]

The No. 3 is a behemoth. It was also the model revolver Bob Ford used to kill Jesse James in the back. Here is mine, compared with my 29-2.

 

[Jack Flash]

Bob Ford killed Jesse James

Slightly off topic if I may --
I read that Bob Ford toured with a play depicting Jesse James assassination which Ford acted out on stage. Apparently, the show was fairly well received back East. When they tried to put it on in the West, Ford was loudly booed off the stage.

The reason given in the article was that in the East shooting someone from behind wasn't frowned on as it was in the West.

I wondered if that was true or if it was more the case that people out West actually admired Jesse James as something of a folk hero. His killer would be hated even if the shooting had occurred under the most favorable (to the shooter) conditions, let alone if the shooter showed himself to be a cowardly back shooter.

 

[Wyo]

According to Peter Sherayko’s (Texas Jack) book “Tombstone” the gun used by the Virgil Earp character (Sam Elliott) was an original nickel plated S&W Model 3 in 44 Russian. His gun belt was made by Rob Gang of Sylmar, CA. He made most of the leather used in the movie. Actually, quite a number of the guns used in the movie were originals. I spent a couple hours visiting with Peter one afternoon. Mostly we talked about the movie. He was a very interesting guy to talk to, very pleasant fella.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Here are two of mine. Both Club Guns, sn 02 & 03.

 

[Farmer17]

Saw this At the cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. There were several other famous outlaw and lawman guns their also.

 

[Jim Watson]

Actually, quite a number of the guns used in the movie were originals.

I had an old Gun Digest with an article on movie guns. Back then nearly all the guns used in movies were originals because the Civil War centennial had not stimulated a reproduction industry. Lots of them altered, though. And there was the one-off Walker at the horrible cost of $300.

 

[glowe]

I do not think that the various guns used at the shootout were documented at the time of the event, but rather recalled much later when authors interviewed the Earps. Authors like Stuart Lake was well known for inaccuracies in his book on the Earps. I once thought I had a pair of Wyatt's guns until I found out that Franklin Mint made crates of them!!!

. . . oh, if you think the Model 3 was a behemoth, check out the comparison with a Colt Walker!!!

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I think it was American Handgunner who did a big article about the guns used in the movie and armorer Thell Reed. Sam Elliott used that pearl/nickelNew Model 3, but Kurt Russell also wore an identical NM3 in the scene where he meets and rides horses with his future wife and when he finds Virgil and Morgan put on badges. here’s a database on the guns used in the film…

Tombstone - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

 

[Jim Watson]

I recall the older movie with the itinerant musician singing:
"'Twas a dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard and laid poor Jesse in his grave."

 

[mmaher94087]

There is a NM #3, nickel, pearls and a few hundred numbers from Virgil's revolver presently for sale in Tombstone. The owner would like the Tombstone Courthouse to purchase it for their display as the displayed revolver is incorrect. I doubt the tourists would know the difference and I bet the Courthouse curators could give a flip. I'll get a phone number if anyone is interested in this "tribute" piece.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I recall the older movie with the itinerant musician singing:
"'Twas a dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard and laid poor Jesse in his grave."

I think that was the end of the movie "Long Riders."

Those lyrics go back to at least 1924 when it was first recorded
by Bascom Lamar Lunsford and many other folk singers over the
years. It has been reported the origins of this song go back to
the late 19th Century.



Cheers!
Webb

 

[Model19man]

Actually Bob Ford killed Jesse James with a Colt SAA. The arresting officer confiscated a Colt SAA, and Bob testified under oath that that revolver was used to kill Jesse James.

When the play came out Bob bought a S&W revolver.

 

[robvious]

You of course know why Bob Ford shot Jesse James in the back... couldn't be done any other way.

 

[glowe]

Actually Bob Ford killed Jesse James with a Colt SAA. The arresting officer confiscated a Colt SAA, and Bob testified under oath that that revolver was used to kill Jesse James.

When the play came out Bob bought a S&W revolver.

I think there is no way to fully document the provenance of any gun that most outlaws owned, including Bob Ford. A New Model 3 sold for a half-million dollars in 2003 that claimed to have solid provenance that it was the gun that killed Jesse James. Ford actually had the gun engraved as such.

Published documents of Ford's testimony about the shooting apparently cannot be found, since all documentation that point to a Colt as being part of Ford's testimony have not been found. Ford was a notorious liar as was his brother Charley who supposedly stated in testimony that Ford shot Jessie with a Smith & Wesson. The debate may never end.

 

[mauser9]

Recall seeing a flick called The True Story of Jesse James with Robert Wagner eons ago. Might have included that jingle Jim Watson mentioned

 

[NYlakesider]

I grew up hearing your buying the gun, not the story.

Yes if their is serious provenance that pardon the pun, overrules the rule.-

 

[Jim Watson]

I had a pair of Wyatt's guns until I found out that Franklin Mint made crates of them!

I saw one of those in the showcase at FLD and thought I had struck gold. Then I realized it was non firing bricabrac.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I think there is no way to fully document the provenance of any gun that most outlaws owned, including Bob Ford. A New Model 3 sold for a half-million dollars in 2003 that claimed to have solid provenance that it was the gun that killed Jesse James. Ford actually had the gun engraved as such.

Published documents of Ford's testimony about the shooting apparently cannot be found, since all documentation that point to a Colt as being part of Ford's testimony have not been found. Ford was a notorious liar as was his brother Charley who supposedly stated in testimony that Ford shot Jessie with a Smith & Wesson. The debate may never end.

Still from the film The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford

It's in the movie, so it has to be true, right?
Right?