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!
My favorite is “Open Range” starring Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner, they are cattle herdsman moving their herd of cattle to market and free grazing along the way. They send an associate back into the last town they passed to buy some goods, food, sugar, coffee and such. The young man runs into trouble with some cowhands that work for the biggest rancher in the area…after that they have to either run or make a stand to protect their cattle, they decide to stand up and fight for their rights to free graze and not let this rancher take their herd. There is love, a gunfight, humor and a whole lot more, sure to keep you tied to your seat, definitely a keeper. 5 stars in my book!
The newer series “West World” has that old timey feel, but very modern in terms of technology. Highly recommended to watch!
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST WITH CHARLES BRONSON & HENRY FONDA 1969
THIS IS THE BEST WESTERN FILM EVER MADE.
My favorite movie is “ the outlaw Josey Wales” but my favorite saying would have to be from his other movies “ go ahead and make my day “ love me some Clint Eastwood .
John Wayne in “Big Jake”. “Well, son, since you haven’t learned to respect your elders, it’s time you learned to respect your betters.”
The Good the bad and the ugly, a fistful of dollars, any John Wayne, Clint eastwood movies. Love the wild west “a real hog-killin time”
My favorite western was Dirty Harry. It was a classic Clint Eastwood movie. That is when he made his famoue quote, ” Do you feel lucky punk, well, do ya?” What a great western.
If it’s a western, it’s gotta have the Duke. His film that I find unforgettable is “The Cowboys.” Poignant on so many levels. In his entire career, the character played by John Wayne dies in less than a dozen roles, this being one of them. (In another his character is actually killed by a giant squid. That of course, was not a western.)
Deadwood was great.
True Grit, John Wayne. When my father passed away and I went through his belongings, he had collected several silver coins in a special place, I found them and have been collecting ever since. He had pictures of The Duke on his walls, and it would be nice to look at that coin every time, and be reminded of him 🙂
I’m going with Dodge City and beginnings of the iron horse. Starring Errol Flynn.
No doubt, it has to be Tombstone! I mean come on! I’m your Huckleberry!
One of my favorite Wild West movies
Mclintock, Starring The talented John Wayne and the beautiful Irish Actress Maureen O’Hara.
How i ever got into watching westerns was because of my parents, especially my dad, Monday TV belonged to my dad when he would spend hours watching westerns and his favorite actor was of course John Wayne some years after world war II when my parents met most of the movies in the cinemas were westerns which my parents would go and see and of course as Maureen O’Hara was Irish made it even more so a reason to go see Mclintock at the movies for my parents,
But as my dad died 3 years ago, i chose this movie with the Irish, American connection and 2 of the most famous movie stars of that time and from my own love of watching wild west movies, i have to choose Mclintock as one of my favorite wild west movies and the innocence of an old romantic couple.
Miss Louise Phelan
Definitely “The Tall T” from 1957 starring the ubiquitous Randolph Scott.
A surprisingly convoluted thriller for a western of the classic era. The storyline takes a lot of twists and turns, and the majority of it takes place in 24 hours. A true western noir. WHEW!
Definitely Clint Eastwood !
I like the movie “The White Buffalo ” with Charles Bronson as “WILD BILL HICKOCK ” , Will Simpson as ” CHIEF Crazy Horse ” and Jack warden as “One Eye Charlie ” I love this movie with all its great scenery from the towns , the trains and beautiful country settings . The White Buffalo is no ordinary buffalo but a beast that haunts mankind and Hickok’s dreams . Along the way to hunt the White Buffalo down HICKOK teams up with one eyed jack an Chief CRAZY Horse to Hunt the beast down . The Line I love just before there Final confrontation with the beast is Hickok saying ” This is the moment I was born for ! “. They than slay the beast in an epic battle and Hickok gives the pelt to Crazy Horse to put over his daughters grave to help her spirit go to Heaven and they part ways . Awesome movie all around and I highly recommend it .
The remake of “The Hateful Eight” by Quentin Tarantino
WILD WILD WEST TV series. lots of action. Good guys fighting secret organizations scheming to rule the world. The old west is gone, but them bad guys are not.
Tombstone enough said.
Firefly – Space Cowboys!
Wild wild west
Awesome round, ordered 21 on the pre sale date!! Love provident
I still love watching old westerns. It reminds of the days of playing cowboys and Indians as a kid.
Open range- because it is a non Hollywood view of how life in the Wild West was.
True Grit Rooster Cogburn….nothing else needs to be said!
For me, it has to be the T.V. series Hell On Wheels. Great actors and lots truth behind some of the characters. While giving a history lesson on how the Rail Road was laid across the country.
Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig on Cowboys and Aliens
I think the legendary Gun fight at the OK Corral would be great!
Love them.
I love the movie “How The West Was Won” with all the great stars like Jimmy Stewart and Gregory Peck. Also live the tv seriesWild Wild West and a lot of other 60’s tv western. Thank you for this chance at free silver.