The James-Younger Gang
The last of Quantrill's men, including Frank James, put down their arms several months after the Civil War officially ended. In an unusually lenient parole, they were allowed to keep their horses and even their side arms, possibly as a reward for having tracked down another guerrilla accused of rape. Frank, who had broken an earlier parole, took no chances of receiving an automatic death sentence for that infraction. He surrendered under the alias of "Alex James, Company E. 3rd Missouri Cavalry".
Frank James Remington New Model Navy revolver. Caliber: .36 Serial number: 38613
This well-used pistol with the missing front sight belonged to Frank James. It may have been one he obtained late in the
Civil War, and it is possible that it is the one he was allowed to keep after surrendering to Union Troops in July 1865.
Jesse James Colt Model 1873 Army single-action revolver, 1880. Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F. Serial number: 61306
This handgun is said to have belonged to Jesse James at the time of his death.
It may be a pistol taken during the robbery of the military payroll at Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1881. Jesse's son gave it to a friend and it later found it's way into the possession of Missouri Senator Harry B. Hawes. In 1939 it was shown in Missouri's exhibits at the New York Worlds Fair. The James family tried unsuccessfully to regain it, even calling on Henry Ford to act on their behalf.
Colt Model 1851 Navy or belt revolver, 1871. Caliber: .36 Serial number: 213204
An inquest determined that on the day Jess James died, there were at least 5 pistols in the house. This Model 1871 was almost certainly among them. It was passed down through the family until 1994 when it and it's accessories were acquired by a private collector.
Jim Youngers Smith & Wesson Model Number 3, Second Model single-action revolver, 1872-1874. Caliber: .44 Serial number: 16734
Gang members at Northfield carried two revolvers apiece, mostly New Model Smith & Wessons, plus cartridge belts. This pistol is said to have been taken from Jim Younger by posse leader Colonel T.L. Vought after the 1876 shoot-out at the Sorbel farm near Madelia, Minnesota.
Smith & Wesson First Model "Baby Russian" single-action revolver, 1876-1877. Caliber: .38 Serial number: 13813
This pistol was carried by Yankee Bligh, Louisville, Kentucky's Chief of Detectives. Bligh was the first professional detective to track the James gang.