>>63895076
>often carried hammer down on an empty chamber.
And yes, I have a period source for that.
But you're not wrong that bad holsters or general dumbassery were the real problem:
>Friday night Ed Dolsen shot and killed Jessie Walton in a bagnio at Pendleton. Dolsen [...] was slightly intoxicated and was flourishing a big Colt's revolver in a reckless manner and dropped it on the floor. Witnesses said it was discharged when it struck the floor, the ball striking the girl in the mouth and passing out the top of her head killing her instantly...
>The Kootenai Herald August 19 1893
>While out trapping on Red river, below Garland City, on Tuesday of last week, Mr. Sam Arnot dropped his large Colt's revolver (44 calibre) from belt, jar discharging it, and ball passed entirely through his body near the left nipple. He was stooping over, doing something in camp, at the time the accident occurred...
>Nevada County Picayune Nov. 20, 1890
>A. Reed, well known in and about Titusville, met with a severe accident after returning from the circus Saturday evening. He had just reached home, and while leaning over a window sill, a Colt's revolver of 44 caliber dropped from his coat pocket and was discharged. The ball entered the back of the ankle and plowed its way upward and forward, shattered both bones in the leg, and came out the front where its force was spent and it dropped to the floor...
>The Morning News Savannah Ga. January 12 1899
>...Laughlin, who is a camp tender for the sheepmen ranging stock in the Blue mountains, with two companions, descended into a deep canyon during the search Wednesday, and while stooping over for a drink, his Colts revolver dropped from his belt to the ground. The hammer struck a rock, exploding the cartridge. The bullet entered just below the heart, passed through the lungs, and out at the back below the shoulder.
>The Athena press, July 20 1906
