In "Firearms of the American West: 1803-1865" by Garavaglia & Worman, it talks about the Walker revolvers the Texas Rangers used during the Mexican-American War. At the end of the conflict, many Walkers had damaged cylinders and barrels. A number were seen with barrels shortened to half their original length. I'm considering doing that to a Walker replica. It fits our timeframe, and fits as I live in Texas! I think it would make an interesting revolver to both own and shoot!
It would look something like this: