For a short time, Nettie Metcalf DID call her breed, pea combed RIRs but she quickly discarded the name because she felt that it hurt her breed. They did not come from RIRs any more that RI whites did.
Here' what I found on their heritage that they were originally bred from this is not the only source i have found this info either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckeye_(chicken)
It says she crossed Bared Rock, Buff Cochin ,and some BBRed gamefowl into the mix.
They were bred before RIRs, I have heard of this too, well they were both bred into existence around the same time.
Jeff
ETA more info next post i got all confuzzled for a time being
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