Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-07
FANCY REVOLVERS.
COSTLY SHOOTING IRONS AND THOSE
WHO BUY THEM.

and It's Handles History.
A reporter was looking into big plate
glass showcase in down town gun store.
The black lining in the bottom Of the case
was covered with revolvers and pistols OF
all sizes, shapes and priees-revolvers for
cowboys, gun fighters, drummers, house
keepers and society women. There were
steel barreled guns that looked big enough
to arm a cruiser of South American re-
public, and there were tiny single shot,
gold mounted pistols that seemed small
enough for watch charms The prices ran
from 50 to $3.50, and there was an assort-
ment that placed the ownership of a re-
volver within reach of any one who cared
to have one of these rattlesnakes about the
house.
WHO buy revolversf'' asked the report
er, "and what arc the highest priced fire.
arms of that class"
People of all degrees and kinds buy re-
solycrs, " replied the salesman, 'sbut the
largest sales Of tho high priced arms are
made to people who want them for pres
ents. 1t Is curious fact that more high
priced rovolyers are sold for wedding pres
euts, though the costliest have been cold
fo cowboys and gun fighters in the far
western states
Horo tho clerk stopped and showed half
dozen single shot pistols. All were gold
mounted, and the trigger of one was set
with diamonds. On another was II space
that had been left open for the picture of
the giver very much as pictures are placed
in watch cases. 1t had been mado to Or
der and was marked $75, though the bar
rel was hardly larger than a good sized
finger On all revovers of this class spaces
are left for monographs. The mounting is
in gold and silver, tho chasing is in origi-
nal designs, and really tho guns look like
pretty toys rather than death dealing
weapons. 1t was noticed that none was
of the bulldog pattern. The clerk explain
cd that bulldog guns were not fashionable,
because the size of the barrel did not har-
monte with the handle, and it was there
fore impossible to geta symmetrical form.
Besides bulldogs, however well made, arc
considered dangerous TO the owner. They
have been known to explode with disas-
trous results.
Fashion in revolvers seems absurd, but
ms revolvers of tho class described are in
tended for ladies there is really as much
reason FOR changing the style of revolvers
as that of bonbon boxes and table Jewelry.
A fad that has been started lately is the
along with punches of keys and such tri
fies as theswell young man of the day
thinks that he must carry in his capacious
trousers pockets The pistol carried in this
way is fastened to tho chain bya spring
CATCH so that it can be easily detached. 1t
may interest young men who follow this
fashion to know that they are Liable to be
arrested and fined for carrying deadly
weapons without permit.
Tho highest price set upon revolver in
this country was s 300 asked for prize
exhibit at Tho Worlds fair. Probably the
costliest revolver for sale in New York
would fetch $3.50 AS in the case of an
extra fine watch the greater part of this
money is invested in the finishing and
decoration. Last year n leading manufac-
turcr made q reovlver to order for n cattle
owner In Billings, Mon, that cost $i0O
1t was of tho long barreled, cowboy design,
but was much larger and heavier than
the average gun of that class. 1t carried
six shots, and of course was as perfect in
action as it could be made by modern me-
chanical skill The handle was made from
piece of cottonwood which possessed an
interesting history TO the purchaser. He
brought tho wood TO New York when no
gave the order for the revolver. He said
that six years ago he was out after cattle
rustlers In southern Montana. Three of
them were hanged by his party, but the
others got away and could not be caught
after long chase into Wyoming. The
owner finally agreed to give up the hunt,
and after reaching the Rosebud river in
Montana they separated for their ranches,
which lay within 40 miles of one another.
They had not been separated an hour
before this owner was caughti in ono of tho
coules by half dozen rustlers who had
been looking for n chance to attack the
party. Tho rustlers decided to mako short
work of their captive. They bound him to
cayuse drove him to tho Rosebud river,
and in less time than it takes to tell had
rope around his neck and over the limb
of "a cottonwood. They were about to PUNCH
the cayuse ahead and leave the cattle own
err swinging under the shade of tho tree,
when the biggest rristler of them all swung
his gun in tho air and called n halt to tho
show The show stopped, and tho cattle
owner was released on his promise never
to give away the names of his captors or
to hunt them down. He was of course
willing to accept any compromise, but he
did net forget the rustlcr who saved his
hiu Nftor rustlins had died out he found
the inan and made him foreman OF his
outfit in Yellowstone county, Mon. Last
year he went down to the Rosebud river,
cut off the limb of the cottonwood which
he came so near decorating and brought
the wood TO New York for the butt of the
revolver.
The revolver was marvel Of fine work
manship, Tho mopntings were of solid
gold. 1t was chased with pictures show
ing scenes Of the capture and rescue from
the rustlers and was set with the sap
phires and rubies of Montana, which arc
found in the beds of the Missouri river
near Helena. The holster-for the revolv
er was much too large for the hip pocket
was of leather and was mounted with
gold and silver decorations. 1t was ar
ranged, after a pattern made by the cattle
owner, so that the touch of spring would
throw open the top and sides and leave the
revolver ready for instant use. When
closed, it lay over on the side of the sad
die as tight as drum. Christmas this
Iutfit was given by the owner to the fore
man who had saved his life.
Gamblers in western mining camps are
great fellows for high priced revolvers for