The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-09-07
ARE FINE PISTOLS
COSTLY SHOOTING IRONS AND THOSE
WHO BUY THEM.
They Are Frequently Tssd For Wedding
Presents. and had Men In the West Like
Ts-E-i Montana Ranehsr. Weapon
aud Its Handles History.

ruu Us Handles history
a reporter was locking into n big plate
glass showcase in down town gun store.
The black lining in the bottom OF the case
was covered with revelxers and pistols Of
all Sizes, shapes and priees-revolvers Tor
cowboys, gun fighters, 6rummsrs, house
keepers and society women. There were
steel harreled guns that looked big enough
10 arm a cruiser ef a South American re-
public, and there were tiny single shot,
gold mounted pistols that seemed small
enough for watch charms. The prices ran
frcm s. 10 $3.50, and there was an assort-
nIcnt that placed the ownership of n 10
volyer within reach of any one who cared
10 have one Of these rattlesnakes about the
house.
Who buy revolvcrs'" asked the report
er, and what are the highest prioed fro
arms of that class"
People Of all degrees and kinds buy re-
volvers, - replied the salesman, but the
largest sales Of the high priced arms are
made TO people who want them for pres
ents. Ii Is curious fact that more high
priced revolvers are sold for wedding pres
ents. though the costliest have been sold
10 cowboys and gun fighters in the far
western states"
Here the clerk stopped and showed half
a dozen single shot pistols. All were gold
mounted, and the trigger of one was set
with diamonds. On another was a space
that'had been left open for the picture OF
the giver, very much rs pictures are placed
in watch cases Ii had been made 10 or
der and was marked $40, though the bar
rel was hardly larger than a good sized
finger. On all revolvers OF this class spaces
arc left for monograms. The mounting Is
in gold and silver, the chasing is in origi-
nal designs, and really the guns look like
pretty toys rather than death dealing
weapons. It was noticed that none was
of the bulldog pattern. The clerk explain
ed that bulldog guns We're not fashionable,
because the size Of the barrel did not har-
monizo with the handle, and it was there
fore impossible 10 get symmetrical form.
Besides bulldogs, however well made. ara
considered dangerous 10 the owner They
have been known 10 explode with disas-
trous results.
Fashion in rcvolvers seems absurd. but
a revolvers of the class described are in
tended for ladies there Is really "a much
reason for changing tho style of revolvers
as that of bonbon boxes and table jewclry.
y fad that has been started lately Is tho
wearing of small pistols attached 10 chains,
along with punches Of keys and such trl-
flies as the swell young man Of the day
thinks that he must carry in his capacious
trousers pockets. The pistol carried in this
way is fastened TO the chain by spring
catch, so that IL can be easily detached. lt
may interest young men who follow this
fashion to know that they are liable to be
arrested and fined for carrying deadly
weapons without a permit.
The highest price set upon a revolver in
this country was 81, 900, asked for prize
exhibit at the World fair. Probably the
costllest revolver for sale In New York
would fetch $3.50. AS in the case Of IN
extra fine watch, the greater part Of this
money is invested in the finishing and
decoration. Last year n leading manufac-
turer made a reovlyer 20 order for a cattle
owner in Billings, Mon, that cost $500.
IL was Of the long barreled, cowboy design,
but was much larger and heavier than
the average gun Of that class. IL carried
six shots, and OF coarse was as perfect in
action as it could be made by modern me
chsnical skill. The handle was made from
piece Of cottonwood which possessed an
interesting history TO the purchaser. Ho
brought the wood 10 New York when he
gave the order for the revolver He said
that six years ago he was out after cattle
rustlers in southern Montana. Three OK
them wero hanged by his party, but tho
others got away and could not DO caught
after "a long chase into Wyoming. Tho
owner finally agreed To give up tho hunt,
and after reaching the Rosebud river In
Montana they separated for their rancho,
which lay within 40 miles Of one another.
They had not been separated an hour
before this owner was caught In one OF tho
coule5 by half dozen rustlers who had
been looking for a chance 20 attack tho
party. The rustlers decided % make short
work Of their captive. They bound him n
a cayuse, drove him % the Rosebud river,
and ia less time than IL takes 10 tell had
n rope around his neck and over the limb
OF a cottonwood They were about 90 punch
the cayuso ahead and leave tho cattle own.
or swinging under the shade Of the tree.
when the biggest rustlcr OF them all swung
his gun in the air and called a halt 20 tho
show. Tho show stopped, and tho cattle
owner was released on his promise never
to give away the names OF his captors or
70 hunt them down He was Of course
willing 20 accept any compromise bat 10
life. After rustling had died out no found
the man and made hin f0rurnsn Of bis
outfit IN Yellowstone county Mon. Last
year be went down 20 tho ROsebud river.
cut Of the limb OF the cottonwood which
be came 50 near decorating and brought
the wood 70 New York for tie butt OF tho
revolver.
The revolver was a marvel Of fine work
rnanship The mountinRz were Of solid
gold u was chased with pictures show
Ing scenes of the capture and rcscus from
the rustlers and vas set with the sep
phires and rubies o. Montana, which arg
found In the bods II tho Missouri rivsr
near Helena The holsfer-fcr the revolE-
er was much TOO large fer ths hip pockes
was o. leather and Svas mounted with
gold and silver decorations II y@s AZ
ranged, after a pattern made hy the ost'-s
owner. - that the touch q spring would
throw open tie top and sides aid leave 10
revolver rcady for instant uss- "hsa
alosed, IL lay over on tie s.de q ~ sa-fi-
sle a. tight a. = drum. Christmas us
outfit vas given - the owner 70 IS fof1-
nan who had saved hls life.
Gamblers ia uesfs-n raining oaflis so
great fellows f9r high priced FssoiFefs Tor
1resents. and every year the CsrlstEi-@s or
sers ara lzrga-Ae5w EorE SUB
HsbHksd the TsiabSP-
"Plsbop Nslson q Georgss ooos hsd .
-rfuke frF.ra : pezro hex driver ~ Chat
.arrora. 30 sid T. J.. Eslas. The tlshop.