An Everyday Tool.

[Certus]

Although I would describe the original Remington New Model Navy and Colt 1849 Pocket revolvers I own as being in generally good condition, both butt plates show evidence of their use as a hammer in their earlier days.

I reckon the original owners would be shocked if they knew the prices we pay today for what for them was an everyday tool.

 

[William P Sepessy]

I always thought that was a Hollywood myth, but looks like I'm mistaken. The previous owner had to know they were damaging the gun. I guess some people just don't care. I know someone that never changed the oil in their car, just added more when it go low.

 

[Nameless Hunter]

I always thought that was a Hollywood myth, but looks like I'm mistaken. The previous owner had to know they were damaging the gun. I guess some people just don't care. I know someone that never changed the oil in their car, just added more when it go low.

I have an older brother who felt that way about engine oil. He'd come home from a tour in Vietnam, buy a car and abuse it for about a year, and then go back for another tour. I don't think he ever changed the oil in a car until after his last tour in '69...

 

[Certus]

It would be nice to think the revolvers might have been used to hammer pins attaching a Wanted poster, but I guess the reality was something far less dramatic,
Brian

 

[Notchy Bob]

We might suggest the "sixguns" were used for pounding in fence staples, but your revolvers date from the time of open range. Furthermore, I am very well acquainted with fence building, and those butts would be showing more damage than they do if they were used for fence staples.

I have heard of cowboys grinding roasted coffee beans between their revolver butt and a flat rock.

A final suggestion... It may be chauvinistic of me to say so, but as one who has been married for forty years, I can tell you the lady of the house tends to reach for whatever is handiest if she needs a tool. If a former owner left his revolver on the dresser, and his better half needed to hang a picture, guess what would be used to drive the nail into the wall...

Notchy Bob

 

[hanshi]

You can also look at it as "character marks". I'm referring to the "been there, done that" sort of thing.

 

[Zonie]

Years ago, I owned one of those new fangled Colt's that gets loaded with em big metal tube things with the powder in em. I think it was made somewhere around 1958 or so. I bought it used and sure enough, some knothead (not me) had used it for a hammer and dinged up the bottom of the grip strap even worse than the one Certus shows up above. I don't know what he was pounding on but he must have been pretty serious about it.

Some people appreciate and care for their stuff. Other's don't.

 

[Coot]

Some people appreciate and care for their stuff. Other's don't.

You sure got that right!

 

[sawyer04]

Adds character

 

[ZUG]

To the cowboy the revolver was a tool and as such he use it to perform many tasks at hand

 

[Codgernam]

Very interesting . Of course a gun is a tool.

 

[fourbore]

When sold new these guns were expensive and some of the finest machinery or tools available at that time. Most likely given more respect than most of us give a gun today. That was a very long time ago. Eventually these all became out dated and more or less obsolete. The 2nd, 3rd or 4th owner is more likely the guy who was a little careless with the small dings and dents. My theory and no better than any other.

 

[Tumbledown]

Maybe someone misunderstood the term "tack driver."

 

[Certus]

Maybe someone misunderstood the term "tack driver."

Great thought !
Brian