I started this exercise just to see how accurate the provenance for this pistol might be. It's not likely I'll pony up the $7,000 to purchase it.......although I think it's an interesting piece if the provenance holds up. (link to the sale included here....)

I think there are some forgivable discrepancies in the provenance, but perhaps some more troubling inconsistencies.

Provenance states Joseph Gibson was member of original eight rather than ten. Provenance has date of death as April 24, 1918 rather than April 28, 1918. The absent 2nd "A" in Vaughan is plausible.

The latter part of the provenance attempts to establish that "Dan" was a nickname for Joseph Gibson. It might be easy to assume that was because there isn't a record of a "Joe" riding with Quantrill and surviving the war.

The exercise wasn't in vain. I've enjoyed perusing this site. While those of you with great familiarity with the subject trace down subtle pieces of information to reconstruct a truthful picture......................I stand in bewildered awe of just those incidents and issues we know to be factual. The Missouri / Kansas border wars are difficult information processing 150 years hence.

Thanks to you all....