Today's Fort Smith Times Record published a picture of the sculpture of Bass Reeves that is planned to be placed at the foot of the Garrison bridge. The sculptor (Mr. Harold Holden)"wants to know as much as he can about his subjects to assure his work is historically accurate." This raises the question posed in the title of this post. The figure is shown on horseback wearing a pistol on his right hip. The butt of the pistol faces forward, and we know from Dr. Mooney that this is how Bass would wear his pistol(s), contrary to generations of Hollywood movies that typically show revolvers holstered with the butts facing the rear. But this placement would probably mean that Bass was left handed--does anybody know if that was the case?

--meursault

Not necessarily. For instance, the 19th Century U.S. Cavalryman wore his revolver butt forward on his right hip and drew it with his right hand, twisting the revolver, and finally removing it from the holster/scabbard. The saber was worn on the left side so it could be drawn with the right hand.

In my living history presentations of deputy marshals and outlaws, I will often wear my revolver butt forward on my left hip and draw it with my left hand (I am left handed).

Art Burton would likely be the best to answer whether or not Bass was left or right handed. I think the only known, identified photo of Bass is a bust shot from his shoulders up.

Could you send me a photo of the statue. The article was online but the photo was not.

Reeves was known to be ambidextrous with pistol and rifle. Therefore, he could have been left handed. Actually it really didn't matter with him. He carried as many as three pistols on his person at various times of his career. As you stated he would carry a brace of pistols on horseback with butts forward for easy access. I would have answered this query earlier but my mother passed on January 12 and I was tied up with family matters. My mother died on the same day that Bass Reeves was buried, what a coincidence.

Hi Art,

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother. Unfortunately, I have thrown out the newspaper with the statue's picture. I'll check with the Ft. Smith library and see if they have a copy in their archives.

--meursault