Something I noticed.

[MissyS]

Just an observation on Billy the Kid’s famous photo. The more I look at it the more I see, and like the other things I noticed such as the stained hands, the tie holder, the writing or marks on the gun, and another ring are not in every photo. There are hundreds of copies of the famous photo online, some cleaned up, and some more original looking or some darker and some lighter and with many different variations of the photo I’m not sure if the things I’m seeing are just anomalies or if they’re absent from many photos due to changes made or what? So again I’m not sure of this discovered object or if it is even there either? If it is really there in the photo then I think I may be seeing some sort of a pin or design on Billy’s hat? I thought at first it could be just debris like dust or dirt or a scratch on the tintype, I also thought the object may be a flower, but looks like it may have a distinct shape, it’s not easy to define the shape only it reminds me of an Irish or Celtic design that looks somewhat like what’s called a “Triskele” or “Triskelion” symbol? I’m not sure of this however. It’s just an idea. Also a small bit of what looks like a braided or knotted piece of the headband can be seen in this photo. Could this possibly be a Celtic knot design? These symbols have meaning. If they are Irish or Celtic design then they may have been purposely put on the hat to reflect Billy’s Irish heritage? But maybe the object is something else, any ideas? There was a belief by some that the hat was loaned to Billy as a fashion prop by the photographer and Billy didn’t really have a hat on the day it was taken, and that could be true and the hat may have belonged to the photographer. 

[shootseven]

It's damage on the tintype. If you look at other prints made off the original tintype years ago, that mark isn't there. See truewestmagazine.com/article/comparing-billy-to-billy/ for some example.

[MissyS]

I’m wondering that when many copies are made from a photo that some small detail may disappear or fade with the copying process? I’m seeing small detail that’s not in the later copies, and when the copies get cleaned up to make the image clearer these little objects I’m wondering may have gotten cleaned up too? The original does look to have rusted specs and debris as if the Kid may have taken the photo during a sandstorm, so I can’t be positive about any small detail but this object does look to have a distinct shape I thought, and I’m also seeing a shape or ornamental design on his boot, maybe is also damage on the photo?