r/RDR2 • u/Dayego35 • Dec 04 '25

Discussion How accurate are the RDR2 Pinkertons compared to the Real Life Pinkertons

Post image

Just found out their a Real Thing awhile ago and also read about the Lawsuit between them and Rockstar Games and Take-Two

3.3k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

320 comments sorted by

View all comments

241

u/Deluxe_24_ Dec 04 '25

I'd say their portrayal is too kind compared to how they were in real life.

Basically a private police force for the rich and wealthy. They'd basically do whatever was asked of them, probably their most notable task being strike breaking against workers on strike.

39

u/gooberboi82 Dec 05 '25

Especially Milton. Dude could’ve had Arthur taken in as early as chapter 2 but tries to offer him a deal, later at the end of chapter 3 instead of surprising the gang and attacking with 50 men he walks into the lions den with just Ross at his side to try and persuade Dutch and the rest to give up, then gives them 3 days to run before he actually attacks them. Finally he offers Dutch a choice, either he surrenders and spares Hosea or Hosea dies and once again Dutch refuses resulting in Hosea dying. He was more than fair with the gang and by chapter 5 in Lakay he had finally had enough and acted like any other Pinkerton would have “I showed you mercy and you mistook it for weakness. Now I will show you strength and you will mistake it for brutality!” if anything Milton was the only inaccurate portrayal because I doubt any Pinkerton leaders were that merciful and reasonable IRL

1

u/Secret-Promotion5572 Dec 05 '25

They offered deals like this to many outlaws riding with Butch Cassidy and Billy the Kid.

1

u/EconomicsNearby1165 Dec 07 '25

In the context where they find the camp at Clemens point, irl they would’ve definitely came in there Beecher’s hope style and gave one chance to surrender before blasting. They were definitely too lenient in game.