This surprising derringer was commissioned in the 1970s by Walther Buhl Ford III for his wife Bobbie Ford, and hand crafted by Alvin White, Colt’s renowned master engraver. Bobbie Ford was a collector of Western curiosa and particularly enjoyed brothel memorabilia – so that was the theme used by White on this custom pistol. In addition to the inscription “To Bobbie – Every Inch A Lady” and the plaque for “Madame Ford’s Pleasure Palace, 69 Tenderloin St, 1st Class in Every Respect”, is an extra surprise…
Semiauto pistol
Safeties – or not – on US Military Pistols
The question of what type of safety is appropriate on a combat pistol is a source of lots of debate. That’s partly because it’s ultimately a subjective rather than objective question, but also partly because […]
Reproduction
2-Gun with SMG’s 1st Pattern Semiauto FG-42
Today I am taking the SMG first pattern semiauto FG-42 out to a 2-gun match to give it a try on the clock. This particular match has two rifle-only stage and one pistol-only stage, so […]
Handgun
James D. Julia: Confederate Spiller & Burr Revolver (Presentation!)
The Spiller & Burr was a Confederate copy of the 1854 Whitney revolver, made in .36 caliber under contract to the CSA. As with so many Confederate arms projects, many thousands were promised and only […]
“Kids, don’t look!” Sadly, you know lots of kids will look at smut anyway now due to the “I do what I want because I say so” attitude. But stupidity of mainstream society aside, I must say, that is one heck of a present. Happy Valentines, folks!
Interesting accessory….
Now that is a very cool piece of history. What a sense of humor they both must have had!
rosebud
At first, I was going to say “Wait a minute, that derringer doesn’t have a ramrod.” Then, about thirty seconds later I said, “Never mind.”
Don’t shoot me madam, it’s Valentine day 🙂
Excellent contribution to early ‘spring’ holiday!
I’m not going anywhere near commenting on what he put in her butt….of her gun.
Strangely Walter Buhl Ford III is just a footnote on the internet, and nothing suggests he was ever married!? A grim reminder of what the internet, and especially google, is doing to wipe out history. Ian’s video will almost certainly become the only easily found reference to Bobby(?) Ford.
Ian’s hidden description on you tube that this was made in the 1970’s gives this gift context. If it was commissioned in the 1920’s then many PhD’s on American morals could have resulted; but by the 70’s rich folk had stopped pretending.
Obit says his wife’s name is Roxanne.
I’m guessing she liked “Bobby” better as a nickname than “Roxy”.
Never call a lady by a name she doesn’t like if you want her to like you.
clear ether
eon
you are correct, not much info to be found on Ford. I knew his wife Bobby, whose real name was Barbara. They also had a pair? of Bat Masterson’s guns in their collection. I didn’t get to see this particular gun, but it could have been because I was only 17 at the time.
You give this I’ll be your Valentine.
I’ve seen “bullock daggers.”
This is a first.
That the first time I seen anything like that on a original piece of artwork like that tacticalshit would like that