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Jim Bowies Rifle

txfellertxfeller Member Posts: 198 ✭✭✭
edited October 2013 in Ask the Experts
Bowies rifle has been on display before, but always in a setting that didn't allow photographs.

For those interested, this site has some historical info, along with a very good description and photos of this extremely rare artifact.

http://tenring.com/bowie/JimBowieAlamoRifle.html
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Comments

  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Interesting story and photos, thanks!
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  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It never gets old reading about these guys and seeing pictures of them and the fighting possessions. Thank you.
    What's next?
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  • txfellertxfeller Member Posts: 198 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey thanks. They really were very unique individuals. It's said that when Bowie's mother was informed of his death, she calmly stated that she could guarantee that he had no wounds in his back!

    You have to appreciate the owner of the rifle for allowing it to be viewed. I'm aware of two more Alamo rifles, but only from descriptions. Sad to say that it's doubtful that we, as the general public, will ever get to see those guns.
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  • JunkballerJunkballer Member Posts: 9,306 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was unable to open the sight so I ask, why did the Mexicans NOT capture his rifle and take it back to Mexico to use as I'm sure many did, not wanting to leave the Americans any weapons to fight with again ?? Soldiers just don't leave weapons behind for kin folk to claim. Not sure I buy the story even though its a nice one.

    "Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee

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  • txfellertxfeller Member Posts: 198 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Junkballer
    I was unable to open the sight so I ask, why did the Mexicans NOT capture his rifle and take it back to Mexico to use as I'm sure many did, not wanting to leave the Americans any weapons to fight with again ?? Soldiers just don't leave weapons behind for kin folk to claim. Not sure I buy the story even though its a nice one.


    That's a good question, and you're more than welcome to take it or leave it. But you have to realize that not everyone in Texas was shooting at the Mexicans. The Texas army was a very small minority of the population. While Santa Anna was furious with the rebels, he had no animosity toward the general population. The fact that the general population had firearms was never an issue. It was the rebels and the mind set of the rebels that he wanted to destroy.

    Looting by soldiers after, or even during a battle was an accepted practice during that time. Bowie's rifle, As with most items of any value taken by the Mexican soldiers, was simply sold to the highest bidder after the battle. Worth noting is that even a pair of boots worth having would be taken and sold by a victor for some cash.
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