Revolvers in 1903

I guess I'm not as well read as I thought I was... How did TR's issue revolver end up on the Maine?
 
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It wasn't issued. Shortly after the Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor the U.S. Navy did a salvage operation as part of the investigation. TR's Colt was brought to the surface along with several other items. TR was the Secretary of the Navy at the time. It's easy to see how he got hold of the Colt. He then probably figured it would be appropriate to use it in Cuba when leading his regiment in combat against the Spanish. At the time most people figured that it was the Spanish who sabotaged the Maine and sunk it. This was what led us to declaring war against Spain.
 
Outlaw? 1903?

Don't limit yourself to revolvers. There were some early European and Colt autopistols on the market.

And a Mauser Broomhandle would be sooo cool!

Bart Noir
 
This is just for a film project, not a Hollywood movie. I'd imagin cost would be considered. I love the Broomehandle and they were around at that time, but why not go one better? I'd go for the Borchardt Luger and they've been around since the early 1890's. Any auto from back then is a little costly, even an '03 Colt. Besides, most people aren't sophisticated where proper guns are concerned and most would expect to see a revolver and question the use of an automatic.
 
Thanks for the input!

Yes, cost is a factor. I'd love to have a Broomhandle, but even the Astra copies are too much. I think the guy I'm working with on this thing would prefer the look of the revolvers anyway ( why I was asking about revolvers, not auto loaders ). We're also looking at using BP loads for their smoke effects, and I'd rather not foul up a vintage, expensive autoloader with BP. The HR and IJ guns look like good cheap props for this.
But if the old single action guns would not be entirely out of place for this location and era, I might just go for an 1875 Outlaw, as I've been thinking about getting one for myself regardless of where this project goes.
 
An outlaw who "liberates" his brother. Right now this is still a work in progress. I'll know more details in a month or two. I'm not even sure if this project will get off the ground. But if it does, I'd like to have the proper gear to go with it.
 
Just FWIW, autoloaders generally didn't (and couldn't) use black powder; that is one reason there were few autos before around 1900. BP doesn't have enough pressure or a long enough pressure curve to operate an auto pistol.

Jim
 
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