Wow! Thanks. This board is great. He bought the gun shortly before heading out to Canada. Explanation for "Savage""

SAVAGE: Indifferently termed, the Wild-man, or Woodman, the Savage is a large man wreathed about the head and loins with leaves, and generally carrying a club. The Savage, in heraldry, represented the forest and the wild, remote from human residence and improvements; the Savage, although uncultivated, was nonetheless feared and as such, was often used to denote protection. He is the icon of the untamed and the unpolished but he is fierce, ferocious and of savage spirit. The emblem is also a reminder that Christianity can tame the savage. The Savage represented one uncorrupted by the vices of civilized men and signified truth, fidelity and gratitude to their friends. The bearer was attempting to allude that even the feared Savage was at his disposal and would fight to defend his honour. The Savage was usually depicted as a very large almost Herculean man and the club was his defence. It is also important to note that the bearer also may have used the Savage as an emblem to allude to his family name.

British Columbia in 1859 was the far Wild West - 30 years before the trans-Canadian railway. Interesting that there was a vary popular book published in 1858 - "Ho for the West - The Travelers' Emigrants' Handbook to Canada" in which Reilly had a large advertisement.
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Last edited by Argo44; 04/20/23 08:17 PM.
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch