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July 16, 2013
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Been watching season 1 and 2 on the new Billy the Kid. they seem to have got the firearms correct for the time period. How close to the real facts do you recon it is. you guys in America im suggesting may have a bit more knowledge on its history.
July 14, 2016
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I’ve been watching it too. Love me a Western! I don’t mind it, but like anything these days – there is lots of mayo on it!
Lots of case coloured short rifles feature in it. What I really can’t stand is the rimless empty case in the intro of each episode
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
November 1, 2013
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Tony. R said
Been watching season 1 and 2 on the new Billy the Kid. they seem to have got the firearms correct for the time period. How close to the real facts do you recon it is. you guys in America im suggesting may have a bit more knowledge on its history.
The “real facts” are ambiguous, which facilitates the endless cinematic “re-imaginations” of the story beginning in the Silent era. I’d like to see a tabulation of all the Billy films ever produced; I’m sure it’s many dozens if not scores.
November 7, 2015
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All I know for sure is that the fictional accounts of Billy the Kid are quite a bit more entertaining than the truth, whatever that may be.
Mike
December 12, 2019
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I haven’t seen the series. But I have been to the ‘Billy the Kid Museum’ in Fort Sumner, NM. They have a pretty decent collection of period guns. Not all are claimed to be directly connected to Billy. But there is a model 73 which does, in fact, appear to be the same firearm which Billy held in some photos.
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
July 31, 2005
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This famous photo is titled New Mexico rustlers 1878. That is how the photo is labeled. It’s possible it was taken later. The clothing and weapons certainly look like late 1870’s to early 1880’s.
Winchester model 1873 (first model) carbine and two Colt 1860 Richard’s conversion revolvers. Probably typical of what was available.
I liked this photo so much I purchased an authorized print from the New Mexico History Museum and it hangs on my wall.
Some sources claim the middle gent is John Kinney, one of the Seven Rivers warriors who frequented Lincoln County, New Mexico territory.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
June 10, 2024
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Bill Hockett said
This famous photo is titled New Mexico rustlers 1878. Winchester model 1873 carbine and two Colt 1860 Richard’s conversion Revolvers. Probably typical of what was available.
One of my favorite photographs of the “Old West”.
November 2, 2009
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Sure would like to know the serial number on that 1st model carbine.
July 14, 2016
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Being a first model, and the photo being from 1878, look at the loss of finish already on that 1873.
Used hard and if a first year gun at most it’s 6 years old.
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May 23, 2009
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Aussie Chris said
Being a first model, and the photo being from 1878, look at the loss of finish already on that 1873.Used hard and if a first year gun at most it’s 6 years old.
A couple things to consider. Less than 30 guns left the factory in 1873, so realistically the most earliest 1st models were produced in 1874.
So at most it’s almost 4 years old. Then on the other hand, depending on its serials number, it could have been brand new and been made in the same year 1878. Depending on when the picture was taken, could have been a few months old.
Sincerely,
Maverick
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