Scatterguns of the Old West

[Twobiscuit]

I do not know how authentic this is but it was recently posted on FB with the caption "American Rangers of the Rio Grande District 1850-1851"
Looks like some favored the Scattergun. Notice how the flasks are carried

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Interesting pic...the fella with the percussion double (third from left) seems to be wearing glasses. Wonder if that had something to do with his choice of arms?

 

[Clark Badgett]

Interesting pic...the fella with the percussion double (third from left) seems to be wearing glasses. Wonder if that had something to do with his choice of arms?

Guy in the middle is not wearing glasses.

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Guy in the middle is not wearing glasses.

You sure?? The light reflection from glasses seemed apparent.

 

[Clark Badgett]

You sure?? The light reflection from glasses seemed apparent.

Yeah. I’m sure. If he’s wearing glasses, it not a picture from the 1850s.

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Yeah. I’m sure. If he’s wearing glasses, it not a picture from the 1850s.

Not sure about the logic for your assertion...Modern style glasses with earpieces were around from the 1730s; Ben Franklin created bifocals in 1784, and glasses to correct astigmatism were here by the late 1820s. Seems like the 1850s could have a shotgun shooter using 4-eyes.
Eyeglass history

 

[Clark Badgett]

Not sure about the logic for your assertion...Modern style glasses with earpieces were around from the 1730s; Ben Franklin created bifocals in 1784, and glasses to correct astigmatism were here by the late 1820s. Seems like the 1850s could have a shotgun shooter using 4-eyes.
Eyeglass history

Actually modern style glasses weren’t around at all. Up until close to the 20th century the lenses where mostly small ovals. Some small rectangular types can be documented, until the 1870s, ear hooks were not common. In the 1850s frames tended to be thicker and had ear pieces that folded and even sometimes had provisions for laces to be added to the ends. The large round frames or possible asymmetrical styling would mean they were many decades in the future. The middle man is no more wearing glasses that the man on the far left has a hole in his face.

Also do you know what was involved in taking a photograph in 1850?

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Actually modern style glasses weren’t around at all. Up until close to the 20th century the lenses where mostly small ovals. Some small rectangular types can be documented, until the 1870s, ear hooks were not common. In the 1850s frames tended to be thicker and had ear pieces that folded and even sometimes had provisions for laces to be added to the ends. The large round frames or possible asymmetrical styling would mean they were many decades in the future. The middle man is no more wearing glasses that the man on the far left has a hole in his face.

Also do you know what was involved in taking a photograph in 1850?

We all like to be right, but now we're both completely off topic from the OP on a very minor point. I'm gonna hit the sack.

 

[bpd303]

I wouldn't doubt that Rangers in 1850 or so would be well served with muzzle loading shotguns as cartridge guns didn't become wide spread until after the ACW in 1865 or so.

 

[Clark Badgett]

We all like to be right, but now we're both completely off topic from the OP on a very minor point. I'm gonna hit the sack.

That’s just the way internet discussions go. A subject is posted and details are discussed.

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

Never trust a FB post. That photo is from an auction site and I think it's been posted here before. The item description states it's believed to be from the late 1850s and Texas Rangers. I.E. some wiggle room.
Link to the site it sold on. https://historical.ha.com/itm/photo...five-armed-men-circa-1858-1860/a/6104-44147.s

If you go to the original image in that link that isn't so messed up and enlarge it the guy is clearly wearing spectacles, and they are crooked as all get on his face.

 

[Jappo]

Well I don't know how long it took to take a picture back then, but looks like it took long enough for the dog to fall asleep.

 

[tenngun]

Actually modern style glasses weren’t around at all. Up until close to the 20th century the lenses where mostly small ovals. Some small rectangular types can be documented, until the 1870s, ear hooks were not common. In the 1850s frames tended to be thicker and had ear pieces that folded and even sometimes had provisions for laces to be added to the ends. The large round frames or possible asymmetrical styling would mean they were many decades in the future. The middle man is no more wearing glasses that the man on the far left has a hole in his face.

Also do you know what was involved in taking a photograph in 1850?

Looks like a thin bar across bridge of nose to me
In addition to light reflection

 

[Indy Durtdigger]