Jesse James?

DasBoot · November 5, 2005, 11:18 AM

Just caught the end of "The Jesse James Story" with Henry Fonda as Frank and the other famous pretty boy, whose name escapes me, as Jesse.
What was his name??
He played "Zorro" too.
Something Powell I think.
Anyway.......what handguns did the James boys like?
And back then, were SA pistols all that was available?
I now see how utterly improbable it was/is to hit anything the way they depict gunfights in those old westerns.
Also, how did the James brothers end they days.
In the movie, Jesse is shot by the Ford Bros.
But I thought he actually survived to an old age and passed away peacefully.
Thanks!

zejs1 · November 5, 2005, 11:47 AM

I believe Tyrone Power played Jesse James in the movie.

Jesse James was shot in the back by Bob Ford.

fal308 · November 5, 2005, 12:03 PM

Maybe this can help
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-JesseJames.html

DasBoot · November 5, 2005, 01:03 PM

zejs1, Thanks!
Fal308' thanks for the link.
Very informative. Goes to show you how facts get distorted(artistic license) in order to make a movie.
I found it amazing that there would actually be bank named after this bum.
Especially since he killed a few bank tellers and all.

Go figure!

jacobtowne · November 5, 2005, 03:45 PM

The Smith & Wesson Model No. 3 that Ford used to kill Jesse James is currently part of an exhibit here. Also in the exhibit is a special order, plated, engraved, and inscribed Colt SAA that belonged to Bat Masterson.

http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/sub.a...=15&subkey=519

JT

mtnboomer · November 6, 2005, 05:00 AM

Frank James loved the Remington SA chambered in .44 Remington, I believe. He carried two of them.

I think Jesse carried S&Ws, but he also carried Colts, occasionally.

If you like movies about the James/Younger Gang. Find a movie called The Long Riders. It has James and Stacy Keech as the James' brothers, the Carradines as the Youngers and it also has the Quaid brothers and Christian brothers as the Fords. Good movie!

Steve499 · November 6, 2005, 07:21 AM

Recently I saw on "tales of the gun" on the history channel that the James brother's mom , in later years, would sell a genuine pistol of Frank or Jessie to anyone who asked if she might have one around. She apparently was a regular purchaser of guns at the local hardware store and so many were obtained that way that the provenance is questionable on a lot of James boys firearms, even if known to have been bought from the mother.

Steve

DasBoot · November 6, 2005, 07:37 AM

Thanks for all the info!
James gang, Bat Masterson, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, etc, etc.
All great legends from the American west.
I think I'm starting to develop a bug here!

Can anyone recommend a book/website that has detailed biographies of all these folks?

November 5, 2005, 11:18 AM	#1
DasBoot Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 701	Jesse James? Just caught the end of "The Jesse James Story" with Henry Fonda as Frank and the other famous pretty boy, whose name escapes me, as Jesse. What was his name?? He played "Zorro" too. Something Powell I think. Anyway.......what handguns did the James boys like? And back then, were SA pistols all that was available? I now see how utterly improbable it was/is to hit anything the way they depict gunfights in those old westerns. Also, how did the James brothers end they days. In the movie, Jesse is shot by the Ford Bros. But I thought he actually survived to an old age and passed away peacefully. Thanks!

November 6, 2005, 05:00 AM	#6
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 636	Frank James loved the Remington SA chambered in .44 Remington, I believe. He carried two of them. I think Jesse carried S&Ws, but he also carried Colts, occasionally. If you like movies about the James/Younger Gang. Find a movie called The Long Riders. It has James and Stacy Keech as the James' brothers, the Carradines as the Youngers and it also has the Quaid brothers and Christian brothers as the Fords. Good movie! __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (If all else fails - play dead!) Support the Second Amendment. Join the NRA > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State & Big 12 - #1 GO POKES!!!!!

November 5, 2005, 11:47 AM	#2
zejs1 Member Join Date: September 27, 2005 Posts: 82	I believe Tyrone Power played Jesse James in the movie. Jesse James was shot in the back by Bob Ford.

November 5, 2005, 12:03 PM	#3
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,971	Maybe this can help http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-JesseJames.html

November 5, 2005, 01:03 PM	#4
DasBoot Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 701	zejs1, Thanks! Fal308' thanks for the link. Very informative. Goes to show you how facts get distorted(artistic license) in order to make a movie. I found it amazing that there would actually be bank named after this bum. Especially since he killed a few bank tellers and all. Go figure!

November 5, 2005, 03:45 PM	#5
jacobtowne Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2005 Location: New England Posts: 277	The Smith & Wesson Model No. 3 that Ford used to kill Jesse James is currently part of an exhibit here. Also in the exhibit is a special order, plated, engraved, and inscribed Colt SAA that belonged to Bat Masterson. http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/sub.a...=15&subkey=519 JT

November 6, 2005, 07:21 AM	#7
Steve499 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 530	Recently I saw on "tales of the gun" on the history channel that the James brother's mom , in later years, would sell a genuine pistol of Frank or Jessie to anyone who asked if she might have one around. She apparently was a regular purchaser of guns at the local hardware store and so many were obtained that way that the provenance is questionable on a lot of James boys firearms, even if known to have been bought from the mother. Steve

November 6, 2005, 07:37 AM	#8
DasBoot Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 701	Thanks for all the info! James gang, Bat Masterson, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, etc, etc. All great legends from the American west. I think I'm starting to develop a bug here! Can anyone recommend a book/website that has detailed biographies of all these folks?