Wild Bill Hickok: A Gunfighter's Colt
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- čas přidán 2. 05. 2022
- James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok is one of the most famous names of the American West. Known as one of the great gunfighters, lawmen, and subject of numerous dime store novels. Separating the man from the myth has been many a historian's task since his infamous 1876 murder in Deadwood, SD.
Very few revolvers can stand up to the scrutiny after claiming to belong to Wild Bill Hickok. However, the Colt 1851 Navy offered by Rock Island Auction Company is no ordinary revolver. It has graced in museums, been inspected, faced analysis, and been included in several books by notable experts in the field.
It's mate remains in the Cody Firearms Museum, so this may be collectors' only opportunity to acquire this revolver before it again belongs to an institution.
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22K42WTORH5VYNXK
Whoever he is, this RIA employee is a masterful speaker, teller of tales, and matched only by the quality of the arms he discusses.
I saw that very revolver for sale at a Las Vegas, Nevada gun show back around 1974. The asking price at the time was an unprecedented $25,000, at a time when one could still find original Colt Navy revolvers for around a $100 or so.
Did the topps family put this gun up for sale?? I don't think they did tho
Wow, just wow. The single coolest, most badass handgun ever made.
About Hickok's shooting ability as discussed at the beginning, there is a HUGE HUGE difference between how good you are at shooting and how good you are at combat shooting.
My Great Uncle, " Buckskin " Johnny Spaulding was a contract scout and guide in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. He was also a market hunter who sold his goods to the miners and loggers in Deadwood. My Great Grandpa, William Davis, was the first white kid allowed in Deadwood. He worked with my Uncle. They knew Hickok, and all the other players, but my Uncle did not drink, smoke or swear, so he didn't hang out in the bars. He wrote in his journal daily. He was not a fan of Mr. Hickok. Hickok had few friends around Deadwood Gulch.
One thing I learned along the way is that every killer has more enemies than friends
Thats 5 generations ago.
@@needaman66 Yes, sir.
This guy should be a history teacher. Well told story.
I believe it was truly Hickok's 1851 Navy.
Visited his grave in Deadwood last summer. A fascinating man with an incredible story.
Astunning story and evokes a philosophical thought. These revolvers once bid for 25 cents each are the legacy of a great man's end. Like Pat Garrett's Colt SAA1873 used to take out Billy the Kid that just was auctioned for $6million.
Pat Garrett didn't kill William h Bonnie
@@jaygee3032 Argruably so but the history books and the movies say he did. But they are known to be wrong and to lie.
I wouldn't want a gun used to shoot a man in the back. Especially when the shooter was trusted as a friend by the man shot.
Garrett was garbage.
@@ingurlund9657 Most of those legendary gunfighters were backshooters who ambushed hapless adversaries with shotguns more often than face to face with pistols. And just as often stationed accomplices with rifles in high perches to back them up.
@@ingurlund9657 "On February 29, 1908, Pat Garrett was urinating on the side of the road to Las Cruces, New Mexico, about four miles east of town. As he was so occupied, somebody hidden about 50 feet behind him put a Winchester bullet in the back of his head, which exited his right eye." No court ever proved who the "somebody" was.
The 1851 Navy is a perfectly balanced pistol. I have an Italian made replica of Hickok's revolver and am amazed at how well it shoots. Besides looking fantastic.
Nicely said. I too have a few myself. 2 made by pietta, both brass frame, one in 36 the other a 44. I also have a 3rd one made by a company called navy arms, believe they quit makin them back in the 70s. All 3 of mine have been amazing firearms, like you said balanced and accurate.
Such a well preserved piece of History! I hope it find a good home!! (Wish I could afford it!) Thanks for showing it to us!
Our farm has been in our family vintage since his purchase - in Kansas. He is our 4th grandfather up the line. I would enjoy owning this piece and the others, and displaying it in his life-long friend’s family museum.
Brilliant piece.
Wow you sure don't disappoint ! Dang
Joel, another riveting story. Thanks
Thanks RIA !!! HISTORY
The 1851 Navy Colt in.36 caliber is one of the most natural pointing handguns ever produced. They are a joy to shoot.
This is a masterpiece 🙏❤️
Dave Tutt, "Give me that watch!" I used to make ivory grips when it was legal in the 1970s and early 1980s. A hard material to machine but beautiful. I don't make any grips any more and I hate to see what has happened to the African Elephants. I hope someday ivory can be made in a lab, grown using DNA from the elephants themselves.
Y is it hard to machine if i might ask sir.
@@justinweaver8787 Ivory contains calcium just like our teeth and has a "V" grain zig-zag structure. I always used 4 flute non center cutting carbide endmills and carbide burs to machine it but for checkering I would use up about 10 checkering bits per grip panel if I was making Luger or 1911 grips.
@@cameronmccreary4758 wow very interesting i did not know that about ivory.
@@cameronmccreary4758 Thank you for that info, nice to hear from a true craftman. :)
mammoth ivory is legal. i think it requires treatment to stabilize it.
Very nicely presented, well done.
Oh lovely
Amazing Presentation As Always Joel 🔫😀😊😎 What a Cool History And Pistol
Very intersting, gun is amazing, thanks so much for sharing it with us
Very informative
Excellent work
Great Video 👌
Crazy to see a Revolver and think "This invented the Quickdraw duel" .
Muy bueno tu vídeo saludos desde Argentina
I would love to own this gun it would be my dream The history behind it is amazing
Beautiful firearm.
Such a beautiful revolver. I wonder if he only had this one e graves or if somewhere out there the matched pair to this one still exists.
I noticed that RIA refrained from stating emphatically that this was one of Mr. Hickock's 1851 Navy Colt's. It's a shame that it cannot be 100% verified. All the evidence absolutely points to this being one of the 2 Ivory gripped Colts. It I was crazy rich and could afford any price that this firearm could fetch I would still hear that little voice in the back of my head that says "it's not 100% verified". But I would probably buy it anyway. But, I am not crazy rich. I wonder how much it will sell for..........
25 cents, from the Black Hills, ivory grips. pretty compelling stuff since in those days my grandma in the Black Hills couldn't afford ONE bullet for that Navy.
Amazing
wonderful
hickok45 is that you?
Ancestor of his….
Fool
is he still around? haven't watched him in years. i moved on to channels that actually teach you something instead of shill for some gun store.
@@jessestreet2549 Hickock45 has 6.84 million subscribers, so I don't think he's missing you at all. He teaches a lot, but only if the viewer has the capacity to learn. And naming his sponsors isn't "shilling".
@@hrfardan66 he's ok for noobs.
It's in perfect shape.
*If I owned it, I'd donate it to the Cody Firearms Museum, because that's what it is: a museum piece, and IMO: where it belongs.*
Yup !
Cant take it with you
Damn sure wouldn’t want family fights over it !
Yup museum!
Good point. I totally agree.
@@bandpassmess *Not to mention; you would be tied to it's history, immortal, lol.*
Only on a loan situation, handled by an attorney, never trust a museum. Remember what the DIA did a few years ago with the Custer LBH guidon!! Disgrace!
Thanks
My great grandfather told me stories about Wild Bill Hickok, one was how he would target shoot every day to empty his revolvers, so he would have fresh powder. Can anyone verify this?
I believe I read it in True West. Hickok whould every day, one pistol at a time. Needed to keep one loaded for defense. So he had fresh loads every other day in each pistol.
Excellent piece. On a related subject, I am searching for specific details for the infamous "Dead Man's Hand." One, is there any documentation regarding what Hitcok's hole card was? Second question, is thee any documentation regarding what the hands were for the other players at the table?
Cap and ball revolvers to Bill were part of his persona. Historically, It has been noted that he shot his pistols every day, first thing in the morning… why? The cap and ball design was known to potentially draw moisture and it was a good idea to keep your pistols ready at all times. A fresh load out was just cheap insurance. If this was the standard for him, he shot both pistols, (six shots each) 365 times a year. That’s 4,380 rounds per year. This, potentially on top of any extra practice that he would have done for pleasure. Accurate? Most assuredly. Deadly? Without a doubt! Resolute? Yes, by previous experience! An unbeatable combination for sure!
What I'd like to know is did he use fabric or cotton for a wad and how many gr. of powder did he load in that 36 caliber navy coat
John Wesley Hardin also.
It's a shame they are not together displayed permanently in the Cody Museum.
Bought the guns for less than $20 today. What a deal! Bottle of whiskey cost much more!
Interesting that Wyatt Earp seemed to have the same habit of holding still, taking aim and making the shot count.
I guess it’s true that “you can’t miss fast enough to win.”
(I don’t know who said that but it makes perfect sense)
I never heard that before. I like it. Thanks!
I don’t know who said it either but I use it at the gun range I work at virtually every day. We have a ‘one shot per second’ rule. When asked why I always tell them that. I usually get a look like ‘what’? It’s too blindingly obvious to explain so I usually don’t.
Earp himself is indeed quoted as saying (I can't get his statement verbatim) that, when shooting in combat, you need to take your time and aim true.
There was, as was common with gunfighters of the era, quite a bit from writers embellishing what he was, but by all accounts Earp was the real deal, a very hard man and incredible shooter who killed many men.
What's most amazing about him is that he never sustained even so much as a scratch in the many incredibly nasty gunfights in which he took part.
@@Gunners_Mate_Guns same thing with Hickok.
The Dave Tutt fight, he drew, layed the 36 across his left forearm, and made a center mass shot, under pressure at 75 yards. Amazing!
With the OK fight, an eyewitness stated and I’m paraphrasing
“There was a tall fellow in a long coat standing stock still in the middle of the fight, shooting.” Wyatt was the only one on his side who was completely unscathed.
Makes perfect sense to me, as I’d read a study of some kind that the human eye is attracted to movement, in addition to other factors like “tunnel vision” and adrenaline dumping, ect., so in the midst of a chaotic group fight of that type standing still while in the fight just might have had some impact on him not being injured.
He surely wouldn’t have been “last on the list” for his enemies attention.
I Wonder If Wild Bill Hickok And John M Browning Ever Met One Another 😮
As far as I know; no the two never met.
I'm curious to know how much it sold for.
I feel the same way about my S and W Shield. A weapon that I am certain Hickok would have preferred when it came to slinging lead.
Nope. He carried his cap and ball guns well into the cartridge era. A good shot does not "sling lead". And the 1851 Navy is about as perfectly balanced as a gun can get.
How do you know he wouldn’t like a wheel gun ?
@@morrismonet3554 this is false information, he carried a s and w no 2 revolver when he died in deadwood 1876
@@zzzzr9093 Yes when he died. That doesn't negate my TRUE statement about the 1851s.
I thought one was lost.
Tv version of this never needed reloading.
I would love for you to tell the story of a gunfight on the streets of Hernando, Mississippi where a young Nathan Bedford Forrest confronted several men and lived.
If we ever get that gun in, you can count on it.
I take it that was BEFORE the civil war when he became famous!!
@@louisliu5638 yes. It was before the war.
If they had a lottery for that gun I sure the hell would buy a ticket
Fast is fine, accuracy is final.
Wyatt Earp
Wow that’s a big gun. How long is the barrel???
.36” caliber & 7.5” octangonal barrel.
If this is one of the original colt Navy of WBH, what happened to the other ?
Can the public watch this auction on youtube?
Absolutely. Just go the our website (which CZcams doesn't like us to type) during the auction days for a live feed.
Did the topps family put this gun up for auction?
One of wild bills pistols going up for auction? Thats not going to be cheap.
You forgot to mention that he shot that man in front of the man's 12 year old son!
Was wild bills a cartridge conversion or a straight ball and cap?
It was a straight cap and ball and not a cartridge conversion.
If you look at the rear of the cylinder, you can plainly see the nipples that the percussion caps were mounted on. It was never converted.
All I know is what my dad has told me. He was born around that time. And Plymouth Nebraska post to the Kansas border there. He told me Wild Bill Hickok should have been tried for murder. What I have seen and heard about the different is he was involved in in that area most likely so
U n i o n guys get a pass from history books, I guess.
Hard to believe a custom known pistol belonging to one of the most famous people of the time sold for 25 cents I would like to know that story
small town in the Black Hills where my grandma grew up; no one HAD any more than 25 cents.
♥️🙏🏻🤠
Well, he did switch over to a much later model of Colt, which he had when he was killed. The 1851 is a fine revolver, but no match for later Colts, or other makes of revolvers.
Is this gun fully authenticated?
What we do know is.
That it had hikocks name spelled wrong on it when it first appeared. And then, once the public pointed it out. It end up spelled right. There's alot that spoken about it. I hope that this gets figured out before they try selling it! I
@@oldeays5085 agreed!
@@oldeays5085 was wondering if anyone was gonna mention the "spell-check" incident regarding this particular 1851. Seems that the man from the auction house must not know about it? Or maybe he was gonna mention it and forgot?...
@@oldeays5085 Tommy Hass could reproduce anything!! Beware! If Randy is right, it is a fake! Randy tell us more please.
I need 300 boxes of those to buy ok
What’s up with the almost vertical hammer spur?
The grip shape on a single action Colt lets the gun recoil back and up into the hand, putting the hammer right under the thumb for re-cocking.
Brilliant
The hammer, when cocked, is the rear sight on Colt percussion revolvers. There is a small cutaway in the center. The front sight is a bead.
This was done as these revolvers had no top strap.
The 1858 Remington revolver was far less complicated and far superior to the Colt. Fewer parts, easier disassembly.
The 1873 Colt is much patterned after it.
Most firearms to that point, not designed for concealed carry, had large hammer spurs for gripping. A slip while cocking would result in an accidental discharge.
Alek Baldwin shoots accurately. Why is he not behind bars?
accuracy requires intent. if your momma said you were a smart little fellow, i suspect it wasn't the first or last lie she told you.
Both Baldwin and Hutchins relied on the armorer to keep prop guns on set safe.
If you research the Uberti 1873 SAA, a replica of the Colt, you 'd see it would be impossible for Baldwin to 'safety check' (as all the armchair experts say) because the cylinder isn't hinged, thus blocking view of the cylinders and barrel. Safety was only accomplished by the person loading the gun, and cleaning it between firing.
In addition, if the Uberti was borrowed for 'horseplay,' loaded with live ammo and the Single Action 'fanned' like a gunslinger, the manually operated transfer bar and delicate sear could be damaged . . . which appears to be the case causing the accidental discharge. Baldwin claims the hammer fell without pulling the trigger . . . clearly, a worn or damaged sear, and the transfer bar also damaged.
Finally, if you claim Baldwin was responsible, then the photography director was even more responsible. WHY?
After all, it was she who directed Baldwin to point the gun towards her to line up and frame the shot, and to cock the trigger . . . if Baldwin couldn't reasonably rely on the armorer, then neither should Hutchins, who then should have demanded Baldwin unload and reload the gun before aiming it at her. It is one thing to fire an untested gun you didn't personally inspect and load, but one HELL of another to have that gun pointed at you and the hammer cocked!
In all the shots fired for cinema, millions of them, there has only been one other fatality--Brandon Lee on the 'Crow' set. In that case it was also a negligent armorer, who failed to run a cleaning rod through the barrel after it was last fired. A fragment of lead was in the barrel, propelled by the blank . . . into Brandon's chest.
Neither the actor firing the gun or the negligent armorer were charged.
@@leonarddaneman810 And in the Lee and I believe the Baldwin shoot, both venues were a NON-UNON film shoot. The Lee issue was explained decades ago by a UNION gun safety on set guy, credentialed and PROPERLY TRAINED. get rid of the union, and this is what you get: AMATEUR HOUR. so you saved a few nickels. oh, great.
@@louisliu5638 The girl was contract, and her father an accredited armorer. Nothing to do with it.
@@leonarddaneman810 the father wasn't there; she is on record as stating this wasn't her claim to fame, and wasn't at all comfortable with the responsibility.
*Anything but Wild* Wild Bill was what made him so deadly, absolutely.
Not afraid to look the part either.
*Legend of the West* in every way, absolutely.
"look the part" or define "the look"?
@@jessestreet2549 legend had it "he had The Look" (right at you) as well absolutely. Big part staring contest absolutely. "Other guy liked the crowd he only liked you" thing.
if you research his story what made him deadly was he would unleash his guns at the first moment he felt threatened - many times before his victims were even aware there was danger afoot - mccanles / phil coe / mulvey / strawhun - he did kill some indians and 7th calvary troopers in self defense but basically it was shoot first and live
1958
Wild bill spun a tall tale and the gullible eastern reporter swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. Bill probably thought it was hilarious when it was published. Not saying he wasn't a great gun fighter, but tall tales were a time honored form of entertainment on the frontier
Supposedly Hickok would stat every day with a cup of coffee, a cheroot, and a bit of target practice. Black powder is hygroscopic and became unreliable after a day of exposure to the elements. Hickok would fire off the previous days five or six loads then clean his weapon and reload for the day's festivities. I have heard that in one gun fight he calmly waited for the other fellow to fire and miss and then Hickok put one right between his eyes at 75 paces.
The other guy was David Tutt, and the shot was in the chest, not between the eyes.
@@morrismonet3554 Thanks for the update. I was winging it from memory.
to save a lady from being "ravaged"..........I'll remember to claim that in my next fight.
he sure looks like zach from THP
Man they sure know how to sell the “story”, I wonder how many factory examples were made during those times? After 146 years In reality who really knows if those are wild bills pistols.
of course you would pose with your ivory grips forward because why else would you agree to take a picture ?
I don't believe he wore them backwards on a regular basis. The famous picture also had his knife tucked in his belt without a sheath. He positioned his revolvers and his knife purposefully for that single photograph only. That's what I believe. Even a semi-inspired quick-draw isn't likely with his guns in an ass -backwards position. His knife would cut through his belt and create other problems, as well, with the cutting edge exposed. Aside from that, it's a great picture and I have an enlarged copy of it in my home.
I have seen the pair in the Cody museum. If I owned it I would shoot it. That is what they were made for. I have read that when he was shot from behind d he had a second model army S&W in 32 rim fire on his person.
Best I can do is $20
Just like price is right, I bid $20.01!
Speed is scary………….accuracy is fatal!
If only famous men of the old west would have thought to document the serial numbers of their weapons.
Colt sure enough did.
That's not Hickocks gun , it's like having general Custers guns I call fake
It was WIld Bill's pistol NO DOUBT AT ALL, 1 of 2 both in different locations - I know not which one this one is however. Maybe he get to that later.
He probably never used a peacemaker
Row is pronounced like how or now, as in an argument or fight. They are having a row.
But if they were standing in a line it would be a row.
Colt
He is know for carrying a pair of 1851 Colt.
The real (racket) is the verification bizz.
The only provenance is it was bought for .25 cents! A well known collector shows up out of nowhere with this gun in the 1970s ? Granted the Serial Number is close to the 1851’ in the Cody Museum. But what’s the definitive provenance of the Cody Gun? We’re they Cody’s actual Colts? Good chance they were- but there’s a Chance they are Not. In my Heart of Hearts , I want to believe they are- I love History-especially American History 🇺🇸
I don't think its one of wild bills
9:41 Gap at the front of the wedge, as some modern reproductions have.
75 yards lol. More likely 75 feet.
At 74 y. Hit Tutt. .36cal.
“…get into a row…”? Like in-line?
Should rhyme with “bough”!
"Row" in this context rhymes with cow, not with go.
might depend on what side of the mason dixon line or possibly of the Mississipi you hail from.
once met a yankee from boston who pronounced dog as "doeg" whereas any cultured person pronounced it as "dawg". you say po tay toe, he says po tah toe, ah sez tay ter.
@@jessestreet2549 No, the word, row, when used in reference to a conflict, rhymes with cow.
If it rhymes with go, it refers to a line or to boat propulsion.
Is this fiction story time?
Or are you going to show that pistol?
A
This is a lot of hype if you can't prove Providence that this belong to Wild Bill Hickok don't be going down this road yes it's an 1851 in good shape but if you haven't got the Providence the back that up don't be going down the road and saying it's Wild Bill hickok's
PROVENANCE is origin, source
@@myfavoritemartian1I doubt it was Wild Bills
@@danielblackburn1241 My exact point. If you can't prove origin and source then it can't be.
bill being a gambler as well as a gunfighter was often sitting down.indeed thats how he was killed.in the event of a dispute at the table he also carried in his sash a pair of single shot deringers {one r} of the type used by john wilkes booth to kill lincoln.these were handy as he could pull them in a confined space much faster and more fluently than his navy colts which might say hit the table edge or something when drawn.he was also meticulous in checking his weapons daily recharging his cap and ball weapons in case damp had set in.when i draw i must be sure he said.
he carried a pair of s&w #2 armys .32 rimfire
I would love to hear the historic story of Hunter Biden's revolver.
There's no ware on it.
I detest a man with deplorable manners.... Wild Bill .
Is it just me....
Or does he resemble Ted Cruz?!
Face only!!!
Bill was not even remotely as good as John Wesley Hardin.
You "talk" with such confidence on this , were you there?
Hickok's eyesight had started to deterate.
Wesley's "Road agent spin" sounds really cool but was it true?
@@AIRRAID2 John was literally the fastest human on earth with a revolver. No human today or yesterday could match that guy with a pistol. Hardin was a born Texan. Stands to reason a Texan would know more about him. And no your "road agent" spin was not the reason ole Bill didn't gunfight with John. John's reputation halted all gun play. Helps to be from the same place, born and raised to know about folks.
@@AIRRAID2 oh a wild bill's eyesight didn't start going until years after his run in with Hardin.
@@mattisenberger4042what an idiotic statement. We have no idea how “fast” Hardin was. You sound like you have a bromance going for the thug POS.