Richard Shufflebottom Using His Grandson as a ‘Target’ in a Knife-Throwing Act, ca. 1950s

Richard Shufflebottom and daughter Florence, in wild west costumes, and her son Garry. Richard was using Garry as a target whilst performing knife throwing, ca. 1950s.

William Shufflebottom (1850s–1916), who worked as a Buffalo Bill impersonator under the name ‘Texas Bill’. He and his wife, Rosina (1872–1937) had ten children, including Richard Shufflebottom. Rumor has it Texas Bill traveled from the US as part of Buffalo Bill’s show before settling down with a showman’s daughter and opening up a show of his own in the UK.

Richard Shufflebottom, continued the family love affair with the Wild West, setting up the Colorado Family Troupe with his wife Laura and touring the fairgrounds of Britain.