Smith & Wesson from LBH?

[Diane Merkel]

A website visitor sent the above photos plus this question:

I have a pistol that was possibly used at the Battle of Little Bighorn. It is a Smith and Wesson First Mode #3 44 American that shows definite signs of Indian use. Is it possible to test this gun ballistically to match bullets found at the Little Bighorn Battlefield?

Diane

[noggy]

"Possibly used at the Little Bighorn" sounds optimistic.

I`d wager he should contact the NPS or whoever it is running the place today directly, and hear if it`s doable. Probably some of the forensics would like to check it out. Don`t have the specifics in my head but Smith and Wesson variants were used art LBH at least.

Noggy

[tubman13]

Diane, take it to a gunsmith to see if it is a shooter. That was a fine gun in it's day. It would not have been issue for cavalry in 76. But it was available. If it is a shooter there are folks that can run the ballistic tests and comparisons. Steve Andrews can hook you up with Doug Scott to run it against finds.

Hope you are well.

Regards,
Tom

[AZ Ranger]

Hi Diane

Give me a PM if you think I can help.

Regards

Steve