The Lost Dragoon Pistols: Hidden Treasures of the Superstition Mountains - The Full Story

[@AdaM48state]

It was so good to see Charlie again. I miss his episodes. He was a great man.

[@tanglepants290]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@LuckyBaldwin777]

@@tanglepants290 me too. RIP Charlie

[@tjingram1207]

I concur

[@richardjohnson4373]

Charlie had a way to present information that feed your curiosity. After his passing you could see the men who picked up the flag and were feedings Charlie behind the camera and made the mysteries a show worth spending your time watching. Charlie was like the first stage on a rocket he push super hard to get the whole thing moving. I can't wait till Resurrection day when I can have a chance to meet him and let him know how much time and money he cost me on books, videos, and trips to the superstitions mountains. Awesome trip down memory lane thank you for all the work you do on these shows.

[@tinytattoomike7943]

RIP Charlie you will be remembered We never were told how you met your end Cancer I guess 😞

[@tanglepants290]

Happy to see Charlie again. So glad he can live on through these amazing videos and stories. What a beautiful legacy to leave behind.

[@craigd1275]

24 Colt Dragoons would be a real gold mine. .

[@richardstump4582]

Alright! Larry, Bless Your Heart What Amazing Story! Thank You!!😊

[@SaltyNationalist]

I agree with the fellers down below in the comments.. It was definitely a treat to see Charlie again.. Thanks Hank and Larry..

[@lawrenceklein3524]

Way back in 1960, my folks took us for a drive over to the Superstition Mountains. I was nine years old. As I got out of the car, I just stood there in awe, wondering what kind of mysteries they held. Lost Dutchman's mine, maybe... Back then, families didn't dare go up into the mountains looking for treasure or what-not! Anyway, I truly love these historical tales about my Home State!

[@johndann4182]

Spent a lot of time around here with my dad as a kid I remember meeting this old cowboy back in early 70s it's amazing to me to see him so many years later on a video... awesome thanks for taking me back

[@jeremyward493]

Good to hear Charlie's voice again. He is truly missed, but so glad the channel continues on.

[@tylerbuckley2092]

I still cannot believe Charlie died he looks so healthy may he rest in peace

[@marhawkman303]

Everyone dies, even the healthy people :/

[@tylerbuckley2092]

@@marhawkman303 i know it was just stunning

[@davidlancaster8152]

oh yeah! Fascinating! One of Larry's best. This series of stories is tied together well enough to make a verbal movie. Thanks Larry! We miss Charlie but his work keeps him always with us. Larry and Hank keep the ball rolling....and my favorite blue ball on the Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains icon always puts a smile on my face when the boys roll me a new one. You fellas do rock ( gold, silver, platinum, copper , quartz and turquoise!) Larry and Hank and crew thank you for doing what you do. Love you all much

[@vince_vatican777]

It is great to see Charlie 😊 again! This is one of my favorite stories and I know where they are.

[@BearWa11ace]

Thanks very much for sharing this. Rest in peace Charlie, riding night herd in the sky~

[@mannyg9059]

Great life story telling, I miss the days when all of us kids would seat around a kerosene lit room listening to the old folks re-telling their lives adventures. These were the types of stories told by our elders. Thanks for sharing.

[@patriciajrs46]

Awesome building and story.! Thanks.

[@charlesboetel1324]

The stage road went up box canyon, box canyon sounds like the narrows to me, the old adobe depot and a hand dug well remained there at least into the 1990s. I knew a grad student that had much sucess finding guns, ammo filled saddle bags etc. Along el oso road, and the old telegraph road near 4 peaks using cavalrymens diarys.

[@richardstump4582]

VERY Wonderful!! Will See you on the Next One!!

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

This is one of my favorite Mysteries. I am lucky to own a original early dragoon. I shoot it every now and then. Being 173 years old Its still works perfectly. I have a few videos of me shooting it here on KZbin. Cheers keep up the great work. I would love to hear these were found

[@MsNevadakid]

GOD bless "CHARLIE" and his family n friends.... great mystery.. ...happy trails always.....

[@aries458]

Love these stories. Thank you Larry for another fascinating legend. Looking forward to the next one!

[@johnvoelker8227]

I love these stories. If I would of been aware of lost treasures and such, I would have tried my luck. Too old now but I can't stop thinking of how many stories of lost or hidden things from old timers never got told. Makes me wonder what could be rite under your feet while walking an old trail or in the mountains. Great story pard, keep em coming

[@lindellcenter5410]

Great video, its good to see Charlie in a video agin, always good stuff, Thanks to all the gang.

[@motorcycleparty]

thanx gents great story keep up the good work gentlemen

[@keithmaxwell2169]

I would like to be the one who find's them Ol Dragoon's,I love them Old GUN'S like them, Thanks for the stories Fella's keep'em coming and Stay Safe Out There 🏜🦂

[@lionheartglass]

This is so interesting and amazing. If you guys didn't do this then it would be forgotten. This is priceless. Thank you

[@tylerbuckley2092]

We miss you Charlie rest in peace you are not forgotten

[@houseofsolomon2440]

Same for Hank 🌿

[@graydonjones6912]

Great story

[@LIFEBATTLEHARDENENHEART]

Miss my town and the stories I grew up on. Tom Kollenborn used to tell us some of these stories in school. My dad used to take me to Cobb's restaurant and Dirt water and its called now Mickey D's, I can't remember the name before even though I worked there before going to school and all you Historians would tell us stories. Glad you're passing on history and suspense, keep up the awesome work.

[@larryhedrick254]

Scott It was Tom that I kept referring too as “my friend” Tom and I made many horseback trips in the Superstitions.

[@josephdaiglejr8509]

Micky d's is where golden west used to be dirt water still exists

[@LIFEBATTLEHARDENENHEART]

@@josephdaiglejr8509 thank you so much, B&G was a great dish there and Cobbs had best chicken fried steak.

[@LIFEBATTLEHARDENENHEART]

@@larryhedrick254 So many great adventures and stories Tom would tell us, once Tom got started he’d always wanted to finish the story or leave you hanging in suspense until class the next day. I’m so happy I found your channel. I’m counting the days I’ll be back permanently.

[@josephdaiglejr8509]

@@LIFEBATTLEHARDENENHEART they tore down Cobbs and put a drive thru coffee joint there

[@norneva775]

Charlie the man, myth and story teller...Good stuff fellas. Best of health to u all

[@berniceperry8898]

Charlie passed away a couple years ago....sry..dont know why but theres also a tribute video to him on here also...

[@norneva775]

@@berniceperry8898 I'm aware. Been following this channel since day 1

[@EcouragingGodStories]

These are such majestic mountains. I recommend everyone go see them in person if they ever get the chance!

[@butternut741]

I sure would like to dig up a colt. Great show thanks. I lived at the Christmas mine as a kid in the late 60s

[@americasfavoritehoarder]

I enjoyed this story of forgotten history.

[@tomfavre669]

Another great story. I so enjoy these video's> Please keep up the great work. THANKS

[@solobushman]

What a great story. I think ill start treasure hunting , the adventure is calling. Thank you for this mystery. |Stay safe.

[@JudyinAZ3]

Tyvm

[@germaineprien7691]

I always enjoy these!!, THANKS GUYS!!🙌🙋‍♀️🙅‍♀️🙆‍♀️

[@kennethrouse7942]

This reminds me of the scene in 'The Cowboys' when John Wayne has the kids turn in their "iron". The smallest of the lot hauls out a hand cannon and the Duke says, "That's a Colt's Dragoon! You ever FIRE that thing??" 👍🤣

[@carvinlambert6899]

Also, in True Grit.. my golly! Why, Baby sister that's a Colts Dragoon!!

[@Buzzard2014]

the only ones that really knows the location of the guns are dead and the mystery will continue for times to come. great video thanks for sharing

[@glennevitt5250]

Thank you for this Story 😎

[@mysteriesofthesuperstition6793]

Our pleasure!

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Found your channel today and subscribed 👍

[@3catmom]

Love old western history.

[@carlsowell8099]

I tell you that every time I watch your videos , I want so much to see in person the areas that you point out. Again, I know that you hear this all the time , but Thank You for your videos.

[@rmlestes]

Thanks

[@mysteriesofthesuperstition6793]

No problem

[@kentonhammond8938]

I so want those Dragoons ! Finding treasure, every Boys dream. I would sell 20 to a Museum & keep 4 for myself.

[@charlesirby9222]

I would imagine those Apaches, even thought they had stopped attacking, watched the two soldiers until they were sure of the direction they went so they, the Apaches could set up another ambush. If that's true, they watched them bury 'something' and more than likely they went after it just as soon as the soldiers left or may have come back after the ambush and retrieved it. I love a good mystery...my father always wanted to go look for the Lost Dutchman but never was able. In the 50's treasure magazines & pamphlets littered our home in Texas.

[@larryhedrick254]

Charles: The soldiers were blocked from going back to camp Pinal, as far as they knew, for fear the Apaches must be waiting in another ambush. The Apaches, according to the story, knew full well where the soldiers had to cross the Salt River and the Apaches simply went around the mountains and waited for the soldiers, killing the enlisted man. As the story relates the soldiers waited a couple of hours after the enlisted man killed one of the Apaches before burying the guns. The Apaches, had by that time, already left the area having no idea that the soldiers even had the guns, let alone that the soldiers buried them. Listen to the story again.

[@charlesirby9222]

@@larryhedrick254 👍

[@terrydevries914]

Good one!

[@philipcallicoat5258]

Been a long time since I've been in that general area...Too old for outdoor exploring anymore... Just have a foggy recollection of the Tucson area...I do remember that I could see the Superstition mountains from the highway...At least 40 plus years ago... I never went up into the mountains.... Too many people warned me about people who disappeared up in there...☠️

[@janmead5896]

I wonder what city in Kansas Larry is from? I am a Kansas girl and have lived here since December 1997. I think KS folks are some of the best. I was surprised to see Charlie. So sad he left us so early in life.

[@larryhedrick254]

Jan I’m from Conway Springs, SW of Wichita.

[@stavroskouliaridis1447]

Nice oak Island Story again .never Ending. .the Mine of the Dutsh Man ..now the Guns. .dward and fairy Tales for big Boys.

[@nodescriptionavailable3842]

This one's juicy, like you said, so many mysteries packed into that location and "the supes" in general

[@casmckay8034]

I'm from Amsterdam Holland I love those stories it makes me wanna go visit this place .

[@Smitty54]

Good info, watching from Ohio 👋 Smitty out 🙌👋🙌

[@Smitty54]

@Hank Sheffer 🙌 enjoy Ohio 👋👋👋, yes rain 🌧️ anytime this weekend 😭, I'm in south eastern Ohio by Logan, good to hear from you 🙌🙌🙌

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

I had heard of the dragoon pistols Before its a great story and hope to hear more about it

[@jeanmeslier9491]

The following story was told to me in about 1982, The events occurred during the Cuban missile crises of 1962. I once worked with an electronics tech who told me the following story. He worked part time at a gun store "somewhere between Mesa and Thousand Palms. His regular job was something with the military. He said an old prospector type came into the store carrying a bundle. The prospector told the store owner that he wanted 20 dollars for it and no argument. Store owner asked if he could look at it. Prospector said ok. Store owner took one peek, grabbed a 20 dollar bill out of the register and handed to the prospector, who said thank you and left the store. In the package was what he described as as 2 1871 Colt Pistols. The tech guy didn't really know what they were, but that they took cartridges. He told me they were Colt's first cartridge gun. He said they were wrapped in burlap and a hard dried preservative, like hard beeswax. He said it took them a week to get the guns cleaned up. He was not a gun guy, relating an event that happened 20 years before. Very interesting. I wonder if the cache was found by the old prospector who was selling them off a few at a time just to live on. Obviously the old prospector didn't know what a treasure he had.

[@larryhedrick254]

Jean I can only say the date given of 1871 is In error. The first Colt cartridge revolver was manufactured in 1872.

[@bobbeach1159]

keep up the good work you guys thank you

[@craigthescott5074]

I have a 1865 Springfield trapdoor rifle in 50-70 that was found at Fort Lowell in Tucson in the very early 1900’s by my great grandfather. The rifle was hidden up in rafters of the roof of fort when the fort was still standing. It’s been passed down 4 generations to me and I will pass it down to my son. Oh I own a Colt dragoon pistol but it’s a newer reproduction one.

[@larryhedrick254]

Craig That’s interesting, it must have been an Allin Conversion from a Springfield 58 cal muzzle loader. I can only assume that when the 45/70 trapdoors were issued the guy decided to “liberate” the Allin hoping to abscond with it later. Most of the weapons used in Az from 1865, when Ft McDowell was built, were Sharps and Remington rolling blocks converted to 50/70 cartridges. The Az governor ordered in 500 Spenser rifles issued to civilians and many ended up in the hands of the Apaches due to raiding. Until now I could find no evidence that Allin conversations made it to the military in Az. Thanks for your reply.

[@craigthescott5074]

@@larryhedrick254 wow thx for the info Larry, but yes from family history my great grandfather found it, At Fort Lowell, that was info passed down from my father who was born in Tucson and my Grandfather. A few years ago I drove down to Tucson and visited the Fort. They told me they don’t actually have any weapons from the fort in the museum but they have period correct ones. I recently found a cleaning rod and the correct bayonet for it so now it’s compleat. I may have the only known weapon from Fort Lowell in existence. What’s amazing is the rifle was hidden for possibly decades before it was found and it’s in relatively good condition. Very little rust on the metal but the stock has some dents and gouges from its service life. I’ve never shot it but I have some black powder 50-70 rounds. It’s too important too me to risk firing it though. I wish I had the original story from my great grandfather on the details of the find.

[@larryhedrick254]

@@craigthescott5074 Not just because it “may be the only weapon from Ft Lowell” But of itself it could be quite valuable. Even though you wish to keep it in the family, I would have an expert appraisal done. I don’t know if Springfield has the same kind of records Sharps has but I traced a Sharps I had and the information found was more interesting than the value of the gun itself.

[@larryhedrick254]

@@craigthescott5074 Would you share the serial number and I’ll see what I can find

[@craigthescott5074]

@@larryhedrick254 yep I will look at it if I remember correctly theres no serial number. Just Springfield 1865 stamped on the lock, 1866 is stamped on the trapdoor mechanism. The steel butt plate has the number 12 stamped on it. The letters JB are stamped on the receiver. This 50-70 is the long version with three barrel rings. Is the serial number covered by the stock? I looked at some paperwork I have with it from my father and it states it was found hidden in the infantry barracks rafters in 1921.

[@KarlMcCleve]

My wife was Sheryl Ann LeSueur. I'm curious if your friend in this video knew her or her family. Her father was Kenneth Rulin leSueur and his father was from Springerville. Cheryl's great-grandmother was Ida frankum. Her sister was the one who started the hot springs hotel that you talked about in another segment.

[@twistcut]

Glad I watched this! Byous Peak, I had no idea what the name of that peak was but I took some nice pictures of it about a month and a half ago when my sister took me out that way. Very distinctive peak with unique features and I have been wondering what it's name was. Also took some pics of the Elephant Arch as well.

[@larryhedrick254]

Just to clarify: Byous Butte is not the “dominant pointed peak” in the story, it’s the mountain behind the butte.

[@polymathperspective]

What people overlook is the Byous butte has a pit mine that people mined, even brought a wheel barrow. This means these people camped in the area by nightfall, set out and found caves in the area as a shelter. Sometime later these pistols were stashed in same place cause they been there before.

[@ericr7367]

Just stumbled on yer channel, interesting story, personally I 💕 the old west and the beauty of it all. I was wondering, IF or WHEN someone 'finds' them pistols, WHO 'owns them'? The finder?, Uncle Sam?.. should I err, whoever EVEN report the find? 🤔 Man..24 pristine vintage 19th century cap& balls... could you even imagine it? 😝🤣 ♤scribed 👍

[@michaelkurz9067]

Such a great story,would love to back in 1877 (for 1 hour only) to wear a pair of Calvary boots

[@therealbigfoot3076]

Ebay

[@thebushbunker]

Keeping him alive

[@glennahoopes2895]

I finished watching the story and got the answer. I added it in but I guest it didn't post up. thank you for responding though. I should learn to watch the complete video before I question things.

[@tloller52]

Hey, Larry, I like your guayabera!

[@E180TEKNO]

really fascinating story! On the other hand very often we notice that, people find a cave where riches are hidden, these same people start to dig and at a moment in history "bam" the cave collapses or the ceiling of the cave collapses ! (this is what I see very often). I am disgusted that this kind of book does not exist translated into French, at worst, it improves my English. i find very agreable to make interview in exterior like that !

[@stevet8121]

Larry showed us a Dragoon pistol. What did Larry do with the other 23?😀

[@richardjohnson4373]

LOL

[@rickwilliamson1417]

Love your stories a cool life

[@richardstump4582]

Amazing! STORY

[@FindersKeepers88]

good story

[@richardstump4582]

VERY Interesting

[@billmccabe6188]

Interesting you guys. I've seen this before Charlie died and I liked it then and still like it.

[@jimwatson4513]

Love real and true AMERICAN , history !! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@sickisation]

Watching this from germany. ❤❤❤

[@kevinpantera4429]

Lots entered few come back so they say. Been out az. Way s. If Tucson never ventured there, YET!

[@USMCButtons]

When and where is the next Dutchman Rendezvous?!

[@salvadorv3delgadillo]

T O < NATURALCAUSESS > THE NEXT DUTCHMAN RENDEZVOUS 2 0 2 2 WILL BE ON THE FIRST WEEKEND FRIDAY / SATURDAY & SUNDAY MORNING OF NOVEMBER ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN ON PERALTA ROAD BY THE PERALTA TRAILHEAD AT THE ARIZONA DONS TREEK CAMP GROUND . THANKS SALVADOR < V 3 > DELGADILLO . MAY 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

[@craig5477]

Another good one

[@StevenSchoolAlchemy]

be interesting to find those.

[@grassroot011]

Also , heard a story about the Dutchman running into a group of three Mexicans, settling down for the evening, who showed him the results of their mining efforts, had bags of gold ore. told him " She is ours." After which he got the drop on them shot them all and took their haul. So is there a Dutchman's mine? Donno , after that event. But may be all BS too.

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

I'm here to check you out to see if you're worth sold

[@TheBlindbowman]

first off : i will apologize for upsetting you Larry : in a debate about where this took place . you said i "think"this was the norrows he was talking about , i only stated that i had talked with a old Apache .that told me long ago one of their tribe had been shot in a fight with a small group of 2 or 3 soldier's in the area they called the narrows and that place is not what your calling the narrows.. he told me they had a run and fight for about 2 miles from where you are calling the narrows .the soldiers tried to hide by going back into the mountains , the fight ended when one of the tribe was shot in the stomach and they backed off and left at the bottom of the narrows . but he showed me where that took place . below where he called was the Narrows .. i hope this clears up any confusion .. i have been past that area but i have never checked to see if the Dragons are there . yes, there is a high peak and yes there is a big rock and a place where there could be a cave .. but like i said i have never looked for the Dragons . i do have pictures of that area ,in 800 fps film photos ... stay safe stay free

[@mikedesil23]

Great story! I'm curious as to the outdated revolvers. Would they not have been 1860 Army by that time?

[@larryhedrick254]

Mike Yes the 1860 Army was what was in use but as the story says they needed a more powerful pistol and the Dragoon was equivalent to a 357 Magnum. Also used the same caliber ammo.

[@bethbartlett5692]

*"No animals were harmed in the filming of this episode."* 🌵🌵🐄🌵🐄🐄🐄 🌵🐄🌵🐄🌵

[@appaloosa6626]

These KZbin ads are getting out of hand

[@appaloosa6626]

@@infamousk489 thanks!!

[@pitsmcgoo]

One just sold for 1.6 million imagine what 24 are worth.

[@ziayankee1407]

1.6 million divided by 25. The more there are the less the value

[@craigthescott5074]

True and I doubt if these pistols are ever found they would be in working order like the ones sold recently. Most likely they are rusted clumps of red dirt now.

[@OldsmobileCutlassSupremeConver]

It's a great history, but it's unrealistic to find anything, The lost items are still U.S. Government property and would be confiscated.

[@baddog9320]

I would love to find even one of them. Though I suspect thier conditions would be very poor. Its either they are very poor or in great shape.

[@theburtseoni]

So, did anyone ever come across the missing guns? Any good ideas out there of where they might have ended up?

[@RobinHood-bn6yg]

You just have to take into account how far they could run the horses and the mule to calculate where they stopped and hid those guns.

[@Bhartrampf]

And that would depend on terrain, weather conditions and condition and quality of the animals and weight of the riders...a lot of conditions.

[@rusharley2080]

I found them.

[@daveweed2765]

Hell the Colt Walkers and Dragoons were famous for blowing up, weren't they? Honestly in 1873 we had Henry repeating rifles and a year before the infamous '74 Winchester came out. Plus we had the best of all. The model 66 yellow boy. But those Dragoons if someone could find them would be something still packed in grease. But... why would the Army still be transporting Dragoon Colts in 1873 as service weapons 8 years after the Civil war?

[@BigRichfrank]

💯

[@Oldnoitall]

Yea Larry sell me one of those lol !!

[@glennahoopes2895]

why wouldn't the army return to retrieve the guns?

[@glennahoopes2895]

I should have waited. question answered

[@larryhedrick254]

Glenn’s They did, listen again.

[@briandm33]

Honestly guys I truely think that someone found those pistols. It's been soo many years since they were stashed there somewhere. In my following of people's stories I try to find some genuinousity of their stories and it's really hard to find the facts in this story bc of who stored those guns hideing them.

[@johnmudd6453]

I learned a new word genuinousity

[@theburtseoni]

If by chance there is a list of the serial numbers of the original guns, then folks could keep an eye out for guns with those numbers and then know that they were likely found, or not?

[@berniceperry8898]

Have y'all ever looked around or under hermans old home place, the picture of the old house that has iron mtn in the backround.... ???

[@andrewmodell5889]

So I'd scrap all that and look for a pass ...one that ends in certain parell id look for a good way with a real good reason not to go that way ...I'm real good at finding stuff ...any thing usually it's wear you think it would be just where you wouldnt think ....

[@robertbush8327]

Now every treasure hunter with a damn metal detector will be all over that area, if they find them I doubt they will go to a museum where they belong.

[@larryhedrick254]

Robert This area is well known and a beautiful canyon that is visited by a multitude of jpeople especially winter visitors. Any given winter day and twice on weekends hundreds of ATV vehicles are traveling the road and the vast majority are not looking for anything special. There is gold in the area and hundreds of people are checking the area out. This story is approximately 45 years old and has been published three times in just the local paper and It’s been mentioned in books and magazines. The video story was originally published to the world in three parts three years between. Additionally information that narrows the date down has been discovered that has never been published anywhere. Even details of their location by the highway patrolman and his friends has never been stated publicly. The location is NOT wilderness wilderness boundary. In short, worrying about starting a gold rush or massive pistol hunt is highly unlikely. Other stories of “the lost mine found” in that exact area had over 600k views and produced no undue activity.

[@larryhedrick254]

@Christopher Webb I think the finder could do as he pleased. The location is not in the wilderness and nobody would know.

[@gilharrison8696]

I wasn't aware of this story so my question is could it be possible that the survivors told the Military about this and those Guns were retrieved?

[@larryhedrick254]

Gil It was explained, watch again and advance the story to 23 minutes.

[@frankpendleton2203]

Is there any source for more information about this story? I am new to researching stuff like this. Thanks

[@larryhedrick254]

Frank: When, in the story i said 40 or 50 years ago, that was in the 70s. Actually, the interview occurred in the 50s and I was told this story by the very person who met the old man in the mountains who had the information mentioned and told him the story so, everything passed on at that time was verbal and I got it first hand from him. No further information is available beyond what it sold in the story.

[@frankpendleton2203]

Thank you for the reply.

[@frankpendleton2203]

@larryhedrick do you believe the event happened as told to you, and do you believe there's a chance they are still hidden out there?

[@larryhedrick254]

@@frankpendleton2203 Frank, my entire tenure with Mysteries of Superstition Mountain I have aimed at separating fiction from fact and there is plenty of both. I would have not put this story on KZbin if I did not believe it. My source, Tom Kollenborn, is not a lier, he would not deliberately put out misinformation. He was well known and would not jeopardize his reputation and neither will I. I believe it fully and that’s not to say that my every conclusions is full proof but they are based upon events lived by me that actually occurred.

[@frankpendleton2203]

Thank you. My father knew Tom and even rode to the top of Flat Iron with him on a 4th of July. Unfortunately I never met him. I don't believe either of you would put out incorrect information. Thank you again for your response. Really enjoy the videos.

[@davidbenner2289]

Why would the Army be issuing out cap & ball revolvers when metallic cartridge revolvers were then being used?

[@larryhedrick254]

David Cartridge revolvers were very popular but not produced in significant numbers during the CW, even then the early 32 cal. cartridge was punny. The first 44 cal was produced in 1871 and the 45 cal in 1873. Our story occurred in 1871 and a 44 cal Dragoon was just about the most powerful black powder weapon readily available.

[@larryhedrick254]

The Dragoon wasn’t nick named the wrist breaker without reason.

[@davidbenner2289]

@@larryhedrick254 are you sure men were as many back then? They must have had weak wrists.

[@larryhedrick254]

@@davidbenner2289 Although it was the saber that truly held the name wrist breaker, anyone who has experienced a chain fire on a fully loaded 44 cal. Dragoon pistol could argue the point quite well.

[@davidbenner2289]

@@larryhedrick254 I'm not unfamiliar with firearms. Issuing out obsolete cap and ball revolvers after the Civil War, is the question. Or, did they convert them to metallic cartridges? And if so, it would have been a supply issue. No one would want to carry an overly heavy and framed cap & ball revolver if he didn't have to. Though, fifty years later, after my initial introduction to the 1911A1 in .45 ACP, I still carry one, letting my children take all the sissy guns people try to interest me with. And, I'm not unfamiliar with what bullets do. Nor unfamiliar with wounds and death caused by them. It was my living decades. And my father's living, my siblings living and, now my children's living. Back to the Dragoon pistol. Why would a small mounted party of Army soldiers be packing 24 cap & ball single action Colt Dragoon pistols in 1870 when metallic cartridges were out and issued? Before and during the Civil War I can see that (1861 to 1965). I'm sure my great-grand and great-great-grand uncle Captains Jesse and John McNeill would have carried them in the Civil War if they had access to them, often weighed down with four to eight cap & ball revolvers (Confederate partisan rangers/our yankee side using muskets and cannon).

[@johnosman8971]

My father in law had a 2 shot revolver that was a navy Colt, …