Everyone knows the scene…a lone, rugged cowboy trudges across a dirt road with a pistol or two strapped into a beaten leather holster riding low at his waist. The image of a western gunslinger is popular in the media, but did you know that it was predominately created by the media? The Hollywood version of a gunslinger is vastly different from what we know to be historically correct.
During the 19th century, America was expanding and industry was growing along with it. It was a time of much chaos, since law enforcement couldn’t keep up. US marshals and county sheriffs faced the challenge of watching their territories expand beyond reason. There was too much ground to cover and not enough law enforcement officials for the job. Outlaws and bandits could easily outrun law enforcers by crossing state lines, and jails were often corrupt and easy to escape.
Authorities began offering rewards for those who brought in wanted outlaws, dead or alive. This created the rise of the hired gun, or bounty hunter. And because they would receive a reward on a “dead or alive” basis, many bounty hunters would kill their targets to minimize the danger involved. Then they would deliver the body and collect the reward.
Being a sheriff, marshal, or hired gun meant that you were skilled with a firearm and prepared to face hardened criminals. Not everyone was up for the job. This meant that many individuals who had been hired guns were hired as law enforcement officers due to their fearsome reputation. It was common for a town sheriff and a gunslinger to be one in the same, though perhaps at different times throughout their lives. These gunslingers were also hired by businesses and individuals to protect shipments, guard cattle, and any number of additional jobs that required their expertise.
This historic notion of a gunslinger paints a picture quite different from the quick-draw pistol duels you’re used to seeing in front of dusty saloons. In fact, anything resembling a European duel was extremely rare in the American west. The term gunslinger wasn’t even used back then; rather, it was a Hollywood creation that emerged in 1920. Hired guns of the time instead referred to themselves as gunmen, shootists, or pistoleers. And most of these men favored short-barreled shotguns or rifles over pistols, because the first two options offered more accuracy than handheld pistols. As outlaw Wyatt Earp said, “Fast is fine. Accurate is final.”
Tell us about your favorite film, book, or TV series depicting the Wild West. Commenting below will serve as your entry for our May giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by May 20, 2018. One winner will be randomly selected on May 21, 2018 to receive a Gunslinger 1 oz silver round from our exclusive Prospector series.
Good luck and aim true!
Tombstone with Val Kilmer as the best Doc Holiday of all. It’s a flawless action packed western with a bunch of tough hombre’s on the right side of the law. Love it when the bad guys get what they deserve. You gotta see this one!
Tombstone was a great movie and when I was young would watch lone ranger on reruns
I grew up watching all the great Westerns of the 50s and 60s and enjoyed them all. If I have to single out one good series that capture the all-around aura of western life I’d have to choose Lonesome Dove.
Lots of great programs and movies to choose from. Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rifleman just some of the classic programs. All of Clint Eastwood’s movies are always a treat! However Tombstone takes the cake!
Hands down Deadwood. I can watch that show on DVD any day and it’s entertaining.
Also a video game – Red Dead Redemption is awesome.
Are you kidding all Westerns are classics and favorites, Blazing Saddles………HA!
Well SOMEBODY has to mention the Star Trek episode where the crew of the enterprise is sent to die at a holographic recreation of the OK corral. Spectre of the Gun. So it may as well be me.
Old school I will go with the John Wayne movie El Dorado. New school is Tombstone
There was a movie that always intrigued me starring Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Telly Savalas Lee J. Cobb, Keenan Wynn and July Newmar (playing a beautiful Indian girl) and its called McKenna’s Gold from 1969. A bandit kidnaps a Marshal (Peck as McKenna) who has seen a map showing a gold vein on Indian lands, but other groups are looking for it too, while the Apache try to keep the secret location undisturbed. The ending is good as gold eagles in the hand.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is my absolute favorite Western.
My favorite westerns have to be tombstone and John Wayne’s original version of True Grit.
Shane. 1953 Alan ladd Jean Arthur Van Heflin
Young Guns the story of Billy the Kid Tombstone story of the OK coral or the HBO series Deadwood
Son of the Morning Star, about Custer and his downfall. Love it! The lead role was turned down by Kevin Costner, to star in Dances With Wolves. Tombstone has so many great actors but Val Kilmer, by far, is the show stealer! “Why Wyatt, I’ve not yet begun to defile myself.”.
The outlaw Josey Wells, The good, bad , and ugly, and also the series the rifleman
All of the aforementioned films were great in their own regard. However, my favorite was ” Zapata ” with Marlin Brando and Anthony Quinn to mention a few .
It told the story of a simple man’s rise to fame as the leader of a peasant army during the Mexican war of independence against the “federales” and the betrayal of that man by the politicians who cared not for the people but for their own wealth and power.
A great deal of action.
There are so many good Westerns. When I was a kid, there were a ton of TV shows in this genre and I liked them all. Wyatt Earp was one of the best and my childhood favorite.
Pale rider Clint Eastwood, and Unforgiving with Clint Eastwood, and Gene Hackman. Also Quick draw with Gene HacKaman, Russell Crowe, Sharon Stone, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Great gunfighter movie.
Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter. Chewing on that cigar and waiting for the bad guys to return after painting the town red. Great movie and a really cool scene.
Unforgiven by Clint Eastwood is a favorite of mine and I love it. Tombstone is another great one. Nothing like some wild west shoot outs, that’s why I live in Tucson,AZ doesn’t get anymore wild west. Thank you!
Almost all Westerns were great prior to the 70’s. Gunslingers in 70’s Westerns should have been aiming at the cinematographer and sound editor.
True Grit (2010), here’s a movie where the dialogue is fantastic. Coen Bros, Bridges, Damon, Brolin, and even the little girl’s performance shines in the face of these greats.
I loved the HBO series Deadwood and wish it ran for more than 3 seasons. The characters were excellent and the casting was amazing. Highly recommend.
Tombstone. Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday is the best. Free Silver – “I’ll be your Hukleberry”.
Love Deadwood!!
I liked the movie “High plains drifter” & old TV series Cheyenne and Have gun will travel, which makes me older than I can believe…, Laredo wasn’t bad either.
“Mackenna’s Gold” is a great popcorn movie showing the lure of gold that’s still driving people today. With Gregory Peck, Telly Savalas and Omar Sharif it can’t be beat.
You called Wyatt Earp an outlaw. Actually, he was a sheriff, as I understand. Now, please forward me my silver 🙂
“Tombstone” Loved that movie with a great cast of actors. Val Kilmer,Kurt Russel, and Sam Elliott. One of my most favorite movie’s of all time.
The Cowboys, Wild Bill and Two Mules for Sister Sarah