Ever try to reload one using just one hand?

[ebiggs1]

Talk about a tough spot. The true Lonesome Dove cattle drive was certainly one for sure.
Of the several accounts I have read, lists the armament of the two cow pokes as a Henry rifle and most likely a Colt 1860 Army revolver carried by Oliver Loving. His sidekick “One Arm Bill Wilson” had either a 1851 or a 1860 Colt.
While traveling to Fort Summer ahead of the herd, to inform the fort that they will be delayed because of heavy rain storms, they get jumped by some Comanche Indians.
Now picture this, Bill Wilson has one arm and a cap and ball revolver! Loving gets shot in the hand, making it useless, soon after the struggle begins. He has his Henry rifle but also has the 1860 Colt. Ever try to reload one using just one hand?
Plus you are desperately trying to get yourself into cover as quickly as possible, being greatly out numbered. Arrows and bullets are flying all around you! You have to grab your “extra” ammo at the same time. Under fire! Secondly, just how did cowboys carry their extra powder and balls and caps? Saddle bags? This is the definition of a bad day. But if you know the story, you know it gets worse.
What would you do?

 

[Grumpa]

An interesting situation. Did both men have the same side hand (right/left) disabled? Kind of gives poignancy to the old phrase "Can I give you a hand?" As one who has carried nigh on 50 years, I always feel a little better when I also have a good knife. Wouldn't do a lot of good against a bunch of Comanches, though. Have to give this one some thought - which our two Ol' Boys wouldn't have had a lot of time to do. Nice post.

 

[codymobley]

Loading from a flask and with loose balls would have been difficult, but combustible paper/intestine cartridges were available from the mid-1850s. With these they would have been able to just slip the entire powder and ball into the cylinder at once and then just have to figure out how to use the lever with only one hand to set the ball.

Here's some images of the packages of cartridges the cowboys would have been able to purchase from any store they stopped at along the trail.
http://www.google.com/search?q=col...w&biw=1024&bih=649&sei=xkk-UOqIFoj3igKcwIH4Dg

 

[ebiggs1]

Have you ever tried to load those combustible paper cartridges? Except for having your powder there and measured, I think they are no easier. Maybe quicker? Besides on the 1851 Colt you can only load from one side and the window is small. You can load from either side on a 1860 Colt and the window is larger. Loading it would be easier but certainly difficult with one hand and under fire.
I wonder just how much balls and powder, or paper cartridges a cowboy carried with him? I suspect traveling through Comanche territory would encourage you to carry more .

 

[rodwha]

"I suspect traveling through Comanche territory would encourage you to carry more ."

No doubt! And be armed like Josse!