Tom Horn's 1876, 1 of 1000 & Winchester "73" movie rifle

[rangerider7]

I found these on the internet. I thought y'all might want to see them.

[C. Cash]

Man...I especially love that first photo. Some cool history there. Thanks Rangerider.

[gamekeeper]

I love that 1876.

[RIHMFIRE]

Thanks

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Was Tom Horn's gun in 40-60 or 45-60? Or was it in 45-75?

[marlinman93]

Was Tom Horn's gun in 40-60 or 45-60? Or was it in 45-75?

I don't think that has ever been answered for sure. No mention in Horn's own biography of what kind of rifle he really owned, but reports were that it was something not too common, as it was reported that the "caliber" was something not everyone had, when he was indicted.

Is that supposed to be the 1876 that was used in the Steve McQueen version, or the Carradine version?

[Hobie]

OD is the real Tom Horn expert but IIRC, Tom had a Winchester 1894 round-barrel rifle in .30 WCF at the time of the Nickel boy killing. I think the 1876 connection came from his former boss, Al Sieber. Perhaps Dan will post here.

[rangerider7]

The caption said that was the real Tom Horn's 76. Take a look at the site, it has some great photos of levers.

http://www.pbase.com/stusmithphoto/antique_firearms

[rjohns94]

that 76 is really nice. In fact, it could be a twin for my 86. I love that picture.

[Hobie]

The caption said that was the real Tom Horn's 76. Take a look at the site, it has some great photos of levers.

http://www.pbase.com/stusmithphoto/antique_firearms

Perhaps that is the basis for the movie gun. You know, those gunny guys that could kept up with the latest stuff just as we (well some of us) do today.

[kimwcook]

That's really neat. I'm seriously falling in love with the '73/'76

[OD*]

Thank you for the kind words Hobie, but I'm no expert, just a fan.

The only guns they know of for certain Tom used was the 1894 Winchester serial # 82,667 in 30WCF taken from him at the time of his arrest and the Colt SAA he had on him. He also tried to use a Fabrique Nationale manufactured, semi-automatic pistol serial numbered 56666. This F.N. pistol has a slight resemblance to the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless. The pistol is currently in the possession of Richard Proctor, grandson of Under-Sheriff Dick Proctor from whom the little F.N. was forcibly removed by Tom Horn during his failed escape

I'll try and get a better scan later.


I believe the "1876" rumor was started after the McQueen movie (which in the film is said to be a 45/60 but in fact was a 45/75). We also know Tom used a 45/70 at some point in time, from a note related in General Nelson Miles’ "Personal Recollections", Horn once wrote;

“Well a hundred rounds of 45-70 cartridges weigh eleven pounds when you first put them on, and at the end of twenty days, they weigh about as much as a small-sized locomotive”

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool. That first photo may have to be my laptop's wallpaper for the next week!

[ArcticGoose]

OD,
Any idea what happened to Tom Horns '94?

[aussie]

Arctic Goose, I believe it is held in a collection at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

[KirkD]

That first photo is excellent!

[OD*]

OD,
Any idea what happened to Tom Horns '94?

The last I heard it was in the possession of Frank and Charlie Irwin's heirs, but that was several years ago now.

[KCSO]

The case reports show that Tom had a M94 Winchester 30-30 at the time of his arrest. The gun is still in Wyoming and they made some attempt a few years ago to test it, but I believe the bore was badly eroded. The 45-60 caliber comes from the movie with Steve McQueen. As to what Tom might have had during his 25 years on the scout, who knows?

[marlinman93]

Beyond the guns that are defintely known to have Tom Horn provenance, there must be dozens that have come out of the woodwork with "purportedly" owned by Tom Horn. I personally would not be too tempted to pay any extra monies for anything that could not be authenticated extremely well to Horn's ownership. I've seen probably 6 Rolling Blocks reported to have been owned by Custer over the years, and two of them had letters from his wife stating they were his.
I read somewhere that Libby Custer sold letters authenticating ownership of dozens of guns to her husband to make extra cash after his death at Little Big Horn.