# Buck MacGinnis — The Little Nugget character guide

> Buck MacGinnis in The Little Nugget by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Buck, Mr. Buck MacGinnis, Mr. MacGinnis, MacGinnis, poor old Buck

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Snapshot

A loud, sandbag-wielding kidnapper who mistakes Peter Burns for his rival Sam Fisher and threatens to 'fix' him for hogging the Little Nugget.

## Who they are

Buck is the blunt instrument of the kidnapping world — no brains, no patience, just a Browning pistol, a gang of look-alike toughs, and a grudge against anyone who gets between him and Ogden Ford. His comic misidentification of Peter as Smooth Sam sets the plot's mistaken-identity engine running, and his gang's raid on Sanstead supplies one of the book's most chaotic set pieces. He is dangerous enough to matter and foolish enough to be funny.

## Relationships

### [Smooth Sam Fisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/smooth_sam_fisher)

_rivalry_

They are rival criminals competing to kidnap Ogden Ford for ransom.

### [White](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/white)

_professional_

White is Buck's accomplice and fellow criminal in the kidnapping scheme.

### [White](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/white)

_professional_

White is Buck's accomplice and fellow criminal in the kidnapping scheme.

### [Smooth Sam Fisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/smooth_sam_fisher)

_rivalry_

They are rival criminals competing to kidnap Ogden Ford for ransom.

### [Smooth Sam Fisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/smooth_sam_fisher)

_rivalry_

They are rival criminals competing to kidnap Ogden Ford for ransom.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as a kidnapper who attempted to kidnap Ogden in 1907.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

One of the interested parties making plans for the Nugget's future.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iii)

Implied to be the rough East-side New Yorker seen in the village; later involved in the raid on Sanstead.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Confronts Peter on the road, mistaking him for Smooth Sam Fisher; proposes a 50-50 partnership to kidnap Ogden and threatens violence.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Buck is discussed as a roughneck who mistakenly believes Peter is Smooth Sam Fisher and threatens to 'fix' him.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Leads the raid on Sanstead House, wearing a mask and carrying a Browning pistol; addresses the master as 'Sam' and demands the Nugget.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Leads the raid on Sanstead House, threatening Mr. Abney with a pistol.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iii)

Leads a raid on Sanstead House; is attacked by Peter after the escape.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ix)

Antagonistic gang leader who raids Sanstead House and later threatens Sam and Peter at the Feathers.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned by Sam as a failed rival who is 'down and out.'

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/xii)

Leads a raid on Sanstead House and later reappears at the Feathers, escalating the conflict.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/xiii)

Spotted by Peter at the Feathers, indicating his continued involvement in the plot.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Arrives with Sam Fisher, reluctantly disarms under Peter's threat, and is identified as a dangerous new threat.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Accompanies Sam, mutters moodily, and fires a random shot as the car departs.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Leads the kidnappers, returns with the automobile, and plans the attack.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Leader of the kidnappers; leads the siege on the stable.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/buck_macginnis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters