Adobe Wells Indian battle June 27, 1874

[RCS]

Adobe Wells was a trading post of a few buildings located in the remote area of the Texas panhandle. A large group of professional buffalo hunters (about 28 men) got together at Adobe Wells to plan their hunting areas. These areas had been set aside for the Comanche Indians and what few Buffalo still around would soon be gone. On the morning of June 27th many of the hunters were asleep outside because of the heat when a very large number of Comanche Indians attacked. During the first close quarter attack the Buffalo hunters used revolvers and lever action rifles & carbines. Over the years and even recently, the following cartridge cases have been found: 44 Colt from Colt 1860 conversions, S&W No 3 cartridges such as 44 American and 44 Henry plus lever action 44 Henry which has two firing pins. Rifle cartridges such as the 50-70 Govt, 44-77 Sharps and 50 cal Sharps were also recovered.

For three days the Comanche surrounded Adobe Wells but at a distance as the buffalo hunters were able use their long range Sharps rifles. On this third day day a young buffalo hunter named Billy Dixon saw some fifteen indians on horse back almost a mile away. he used a 50-90 Sharps rifle and dropped one of the indians from his horse. The indians became discourage and left. Later the distance was measured by a US Army surveyor at 1538 yards.

My photos show some of the calibers, Winchester introduced the 50-110 years later in the Model 1886 lever action. Far right shows the 50-90 Sharps which was quite popular among the hunters

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