A serious question involving the Bowie rifle is with the initials "JHB" on a gold plate inletted into the barrel.  It is common belief Jim Bowie did not have or did not use a middle name.  Some believe this rifle belonged to his brother or another family member, but regardless if it belonged to Jim Bowie or a family member, it was at the Alamo at the time of the battle.

This rifle was displayed by the Daughters Of The Republic Of Texas (DRT) in the Alamo from 1914 to 1922 when it was reclaimed by the Pellegrin family. It was then placed on display again in the Alamo in 1936, the year of the Texas Centennial, and remained there until 1967.   At that point, a lawsuit over rightful ownership developed and Helen Pellegrin´s ownership was challenged. (You can read the details of this lawsuit by clicking on the links below.)  Mrs. Pellegrin won the suit and retains ownership today. 

After the lawsuit the Bowie rifle was moved to the Texas Ranger museum in Waco, Texas where it once again had problems revolving around insurance.  "Insurance issues concerning the difference between an artifact 'on loan' as opposed to a 'donated artifact' eventually caused the rifle to be returned to the Pellegrin family."  Today, the rifle is kept here in Texas in a secure, safe place.

The purpose of this Web side is to compile and concentrate old data and, hopefully, collect new data on this magnificent piece of Texas and national history.  Never before has all historical information been consolidated in one location for historians, world wide, to study.  The point man and lead research leader on this project is my friend John Hinnant who has already accomplished significant research and made many new discoveries which will be shared with all Alamo historians and any one else interested in this history making rifle.  Any other Alamo or Texas historians who would like to contribute can contact John Hinnant at "johnsharonhinnant@sbcglobal.net" or (1-210-289-5178).  You can contact me at "alex@tenring.com" or any other contact points listed elsewhere on this Web page.

Another man who has generously donated his time and professional expertise to this important project is Rusty Postell of "SAportraits.com".  Rusty shot over 100 high resolution photos of the James Bowie rifle of which a few have been placed on this Web site.  These photos will eventually be used to reproduce the Bowie rifle in exquisite detail by one of America´s most acclaimed custom muzzle-loading gunsmiths.

It is possible this rifle will be up for sale in the near future, but for now I am collecting documentation and bringing Bowie and Alamo historians together so the most accurate, up to date written information can be compiled and consolidated in one place - this Web page.