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!
I like me Butch Cassidy, but I also liked the Back to the Future where they went to the Wild West and had to fight the criminals! Yes!
The Wild Wild West with Robert Conrad. High Noon with Gary Cooper. Butch and Sundance, Destry with Audie Murphy.
Clint Eastwood, one of the most legendary actors is always one cool gunslinger in a “Fistful of Dollars ” produced in 1964.
3:10 to Yuma
Deadwood. Great show, great acting.. too bad it only lasted for 3 seasons
Hang ‘em High
With Clint Eastwood
The undefeated. Rock Hudson and John wayne make a great movie about war healing and acceptance. Post civil war.
From the TV series Laramie there are so many great scenes featuring Robert Fuller as Jess Harper. One such scene has Jess being questioned by a boy whose father was somewhat of a slacker. The boy says; I guess my dad is nothing more than a dreamer, I hear you say things and then next thing you know they’re done.”
Jess replies; “Son this great country is made up of both dreamers and doers. And what would the doers have to do if the dreamers didn’t dream?”
From my ongoing series Wisdom of the Westerns.
Thanks for all you dream and do Provident.
Hands down, Tombstone.
If I win this coin, “I’m your Huckleberry”
Outlaw Josie Wales, The Gunslinger by Steven King
Hoppy’s Holiday…Hopalong Cassidy
One of the Best westerns of all time, SHANE. So many things going on at one time.
Young guns…no need to explain why. 🙂
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence 1962
Maxwell Scott: This is the west, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
One of the ole time best starring Lee Marvin & James Stewart
Thank you for the chance to win this…
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! Best story, best acting, best music. A quest to find stolen confederate gold, coins no less….
So many to choose from but El Dorado with John Wayne….. Or the Outlaw Josey Wales with Clint Eastwood.
Blazing Saddles. Mel Brooks, how can you go wrong?
Tombstone, Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) to Johnny Ringo. I’m your huckleberry! Why Johnny Ringo you look like somebody just walked over your grave.
The Searchers. Probably John Wayne’s best performance. Illustrates the persistence, dedication, and flaws of the American West in late 1800’s
Tombstone is my favorite movie of all time. The wild west at it’s finest. Awesome gun fights, and one of the best one liners. “I’m your huckleberry”. lol classic.
My Grandfather was a big Gun Smoke fan. Some of my best memories were sitting on his lap, watching Matt Dillon, wearing my cowboy hat and six shooter.
Serious movie. I agree on Open Range.
For a good spaghetti western and comedy. Go with My Name is Nobody with Henry Fonda. One of my all time favorites.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for classics, Django for something newer.
going back to my teenage years–The Wild Wild West tv series, Robert Conrad and
Ross Martin. Conrad was cute but Ross Martin was the star in my opinion!
I loved the Wild, Wild West and Maverick every Saturday and Sunday while growing up.
Richard Boone as Paladin in “Have Gun – Will Travel” for TV, and John Wayne as Cole Thorton in “El Dorado” for a movie.
Blazing Sadles! A little bit of everything, but a lot of laughs!
My favorite cowboy movie is “Outlaw Josey Wales’. Clint Eastwood was made for that role.
Dad’s favorite was The Duke…I have to agree. John Wayne was best!