Being a real life retired California Lawman (Tuolumne County Sheriff, in the Motherlode), and a retired US History Teacher, I am fond of California's early Old west... By the time the 1873 Winchester and 1873 Colt Peacemaker were "Taming the West" in Arizona, Montana, and places in between, California had been the Wild West for 25 years! Initially it was 1847 Walkers, Dragoons, and 1851 Navy revolvers, along with front stuffer rifles and Shotguns that armed pioneer Californians.
In 1860, during the advent of the War Between the States, the 1860 Henry was a desired, high tech arm in the gold fields. By 1868, conversions of the Remington and Colt percussions were showing up in .44 Henry, .46 French, other assorted rimfires and .44 Martin. (Colt/Remington 44/100) all over the Motherlode.
To me, nothing like a couple Cartridge Conversions and a Henry say "the real Early Wild West..."
Tuolumne (California) Lawman