Dolls-and-All

James Butler "Wild Bill" handguns Hickock were a favorite pair of finely carved ivory-handled Colt 1851 Navy cap and ball, 36 caliber revolvers. Casts his Colts were engraved with a scene of battle between Texas and Mexico. He was transported butt forward, open at the top of the cases that allowed him to take the Colts and sly spin transmit (called the reverse or "plains" draw), or with a cross-handed draw.

He must have to stop, wearing two-rig holster with the ivory handle Colts, a long dress coat and hat with wide brim. Over six feet tall, was broad-shouldered, with a ginger-colored mustache and blond hair.

Unlike many lawmen and gunmen of the Old West, who gained the most notoriety long after their time on earth was spent, Hickock was legendary as the shooter the fastest and most deadly of the West during his own life. He had a reputation as a soft-spoken and courteous gentleman, but who would respond with deadly force if attacked or insulted. However, tales of his exploits in newspapers and dime novelists have been greatly exaggerated. Instead of the hundred "badmen he had sent to its rapid action draw and deadly aim, the total was less ten.

The numbers may have been exaggerated, but his status as a fast shooter and plains were apparently not lethal. Much, many credible testimonies of eyewitnesses, including General George Custer, spoke of his speed and skill with the Colt Navy revolvers, it was partisan. He was told he could draw and fire at breakneck speed, and never seem to aim, inevitably reached the target.

Given his legendary ability, it is fortunate that he was a supporter of law enforcement on the break. In 1855, at age 18, he was constable of Monticello Township in the territory of Kansas. For once, it was a freight conductor for Russell, Majors and Waddell – partners in a partnership freight hauling supplies to the great outposts of the Army of the West – who a few years later started a small company they have called the Pony Express.

During the Civil War, Hickok joined the Union forces, which are used primarily in Kansas and Missouri, where he acquired a reputation as recruiting highly qualified military. The fantasy Colts were engraved, in effect, a gift of a senator from Massachusetts, in recognition of his services scouting for the army. He served with another famous scout, Buffalo Bill Cody, who became his lifelong friend.

Following the war, Wild Bill served as a marshal of the United States, and even earned his living as a professional player for a while. Between 1865 and 1871, Hickok served as a lawyer for various – City Marshal, Deputy Marshal, Sheriff and U.S. Marshal – mainly in the cow towns such as various Kansas Wichita, Hayes and Abilene.

It was in 1871, while he was marshal of Abilene, Kansas, that his quick reflexes relief betrayed. He was facing down a crowd of drunken brawling when the street from the corner of his eye he saw someone running toward him. Fired two shots in rapid succession in the direction of motion, was mortally wounded Abilene Deputy Marshal Mike Williams, who ran towards him to help him. Hickock was relieved of his duties as Marshal two months later. Haunted by the murder of MP for the rest of his life, he never worked as a lawyer again.

Buffalo Bill, who became a renowned showman, Hickock invited to join the cast of his new play, "Scouts of the Plains" in 1873. Unfortunately, "Wild Bill "proved much less able to play that he was involved firearms, and his show business career has been fortunately brief.

In 1876, in poor health with his failing eyesight, decreased Hickock in Deadwood, a camp wild and woolly mining in the Black Hills of Dakota territory, drink and play poker. On the night of August 2, he entered Number Ten Saloon looking for a poker game. He used to find a chair in the corner opposite the door to protect against attack from behind. But the room was packed that night and no chairs were open corner. Nobody really knows why he went against his inherent caution and took the chair back to the door, but it was a decision that proved fatal. He was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall, who would eventually hang for his murder.

Legend has it that he was holding a pair ace and a pair of eight, and his fifth card was not yet being processed when the fatal shot was fired. This combination of cards was asked the hand of man "died" since.

JoAnn Graham is an internet marketer and author with 28 years experience in editing, writing, marketing and advertising. She has a special interest in the history of vintage firearms, and the people, places and events that made them historic. Visit her blog, “The Non-Smoking Gun” at http://www.gunsofold.com/blog/

For non-firing replicas of historic guns, replicas of famous western lawmen’s badges and many civil war reenactor accessories, visit http://www.gunsofold.com

SINGING ARMY DOLL