2-979-688 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Shooting Buffaloes with Colt's Revolving Pistol, [USA], 1857. 'Medicine in illness is considered the summum bonum among the Indians. In a buffalo chase which took place on the north fork of the Plate River, out of five shots which Catlin [the celebrated American explorer and sportsman] fired right and left in immediate succession while at the full gallop, four were successful in bringing down unwieldy buffaloes. Hence the highest metaphor expressive of excellence was applied to Colt's Revolver by the Indians, and to this day it is called, in the language of that district, "the medicine gun".' From "Illustrated London News", 1857.