Walker used in Lonesome Dove min-iseries

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ClemBert

New member
I DVR-ed and watched the mini-series "Lonesome Dove" that was re-released on AMC this past weekend on the series 20th anniversary. I noted seeing Robert Duval wielding a Walker Colt as his holstered sidearm. It appeared to be converted to a cartridge firearm. The question is, what cartridge do you suppose the Walkers were converted to? Surely not .45 Colt as that would have been a downgrade in powder capacity.

Also noted a few of the other actors are using 1860 Colts some of which appear to be converted to cartridge. It was cool to see some period correct firearms. I'm not sure what the exact year as depicted is but I'd guess late 1870's or 1880's.
 
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Jim Watson

New member
The convenience of cartridge loading would outweigh the theoretical loss in powder capacity of the percussion cylinder versus .45 Colt.

My old Haven and Belden book shows a Dragoon converted to .44 rimfire; but nothing on Walkers. There is a book on the subject you might refer to.
 
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simonkenton

New member
I noticed Robert Duvall wielding the Walker.
What a cannon!

I was inspired to go look one up at cabelas.com, damn thing weighs 4 1/2 pounds.
You would need to have a servant to carry your pistol.
 
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ClemBert

New member
Kind of sounds like it was neutered by a conversion to .45 Colt (assumed at this point). The converted Walker would not have been any more powerful than a converted 1860 Colt or 1858 Remington.

None-the-less it was GRAND to see a Walker, even if converted, being used as a holstered sidearm in the mini-series.
 
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Deadguy

New member
I read somewhere that the Walker in the Lonesome Dove mini-series was converted to fire .38 special blanks. It was neutered into a prop gun only!
 
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Smokin_Gun

New member
I don't remember seein' the Walker as anything but a C&B revolver...but maybe that was jus' my minds eye watchin'...as I recall the scene in the bar where thier pictures were hangin' it was a C&B Rev... I'll have to watch it again... I noted only a Union cap box on Robert's lt no cartridges...just the Walker a knife and a black capbox.
I must have watched it ten times at least when I copied it a time ago as it came to the Video rental stores and never noticed cartridges other than in the rifle.
I had a .45Colt conversion for my Colt Dragoon...with 35gr of fffg and a '255gr' conical it kicked harder than my 42gr load of fffg with a .457"RB...remeber a cart has the ability to create more pressure in a chamber than a RB ...I do believe, try it...
I'll go watch it again tonite...
 
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Wobble

New member
According to an article in the excellent magazine, Guns of the Old West, titled "Guns of Comanche Moon and Lonesome Dove," Gus carried the 1847 Walker his whole life (in the story).

Although the article doesn't say specifically what cartridge conversion was used in the movie, the article talks about the .45 LC R&D conversion cylinder that is commonly available for that gun now.

Therefore, it would have been easy and cheap to use an available conversion cylinder and fire .45 LC blanks for the movie.

I have an Uberti 1847 Walker and it is a massive gun -- a hand cannon. I can't imagine it being shot for long periods of time without suffering severe arm fatigue. Even carrying it on a belt or holster would have been difficult.
 
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mykeal

New member
The key to carrying a Walker in a belt holster (it was intended to be carried in a saddle holster, and was originally called a "Horse Pistol" by Colt's) is to have a very heavy, thick belt and holster made of horsehide. The gun only weighs 4 1/2 lbs, which is admittedly a lot for a handgun but it isn't like a bowling ball. That much weight will eat a normal belt an holster alive in a very short time, and the resulting lack of control has the gun banging around against your hip and thigh with really unpleasant effect. But, with a good strong belt and holster you have control of the weight, and the belt distributes the weight more evenly so it isn't noticed quite as much.

Now, as for forearm and shoulder strength to hold it on target...use two hands.
 
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Hawg

New member
I read somewhere that the Walker in the Lonesome Dove mini-series was converted to fire .38 special blanks. It was neutered into a prop gun only!
Click to expand...

It was converted to .38 spcl. but I don't remember anything saying it fired blanks only. Knowing Hollyweird you're probably right.
 
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Arquebus

New member
with 35gr of fffg and a '255gr' conical it kicked harder than my 42gr load of fffg with a .457"RB
Click to expand...

Don't forget a .457" roundball only weighs 144gns, that's a little over half the weight of the standard .45LC bullet.
 
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ClemBert

New member
According to an article in the excellent magazine, Guns of the Old West, titled "Guns of Comanche Moon and Lonesome Dove," Gus carried the 1847 Walker his whole life (in the story).
Click to expand...

Just read an internet blurb that said in the book, Gus carries a Dragoon not a Walker. I wonder if in the book it talks about whether or not the firearm has been converted to cartridge.
 
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LHB1

New member
When Gus left to go after Blue Duck, he asked someone to get him a box of ammo from the wagon so his movie gun was supposedly chambered or converted for cartridge use.
 
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Hawg

New member
Just read an internet blurb that said in the book, Gus carries a Dragoon not a Walker. I wonder if in the book it talks about whether or not the firearm has been converted to cartridge.
Click to expand...

Actually you weren't supposed to notice the gun in the movie was converted.:D
 
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RK65

New member
Gus's cross draw setup inspired me to make my own cross draw holster for my Walker.
I used it in a CAS shoot and it worked fine around the range, of course you don't draw as fast as the guys with the handy Peacemakers. I didn't had to pull up my pants too much. See attache pic.
Taking a Walker to a CAS shoot is not about speed, I guess, more about just having fun making noise and smoke.

ClemBert:
>>Just read an internet blurb that said in the book, Gus carries a Dragoon not a Walker.

CLEM, Correct me if I am wrong but I thought a Walker is considered a Dragoon pistol(revolver) too.
 

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mykeal

New member
CLEM, Correct me if I am wrong but I thought a Walker is considered a Dragoon pistol(revolver) too.
Click to expand...
They were both considered 'Horse Pistols'. The names Walker and Dragoon are contemporary.
 
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