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!
The Searchers with John Wayne this Western had it all. THE SEARCHERS and all its Stars and Future Stars gave outstanding performances.
There are too many good westerns books, series, and movies to pick an absolute favorite. In my opinion, one of the best is ” The man who shot Liberty Valance”. A cast of great actors and John Wayne played the tough as nails cowboy that he was known for! Let’s not forget about Pompey either!
Cowboys vs aliens
Crossfire Trail. Good story and interesting characters.
I like “The Wild Wild West” tv show. Nothing better than two agents with special weapons traveling around the country on their custom private train.
Outlaw Josie Wales, Clint Eastwood.
Tv series; The wild, wild west with Robert Conrad.
really enjoy the coin plan on getting more of them.
Best western ever tombstone with Kurt Russle. Still gives me goosebumps
“Bad Day At Black Rock” starring Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, Ernest Borgnine and John Sturges.
Though it’s a contemporary story located in the West, it certainly depicts ingrained people of authority who have been corrupted to their necrotic cores. The good people remaining are held at bay with threats of physical violence by those in power. It’s a microcosm of how our “Deep State” and “Shadow Government” operate today. It shows how evil flourishes when good men do nothing.
The Shootist. John Wayne’s last movie examined the peace he was trying to find after a violent life and impending death by an unexpected source.
“Dyin’ Ain’t Much Of A Livin’, Boy” ~ Clint Eastwood ~ The Outlaw Josey Wales
My favorite has to be a fist full of dollars.
My favorite was Tombstone…. “I’m your huckleberry”. Val Kilmer slayed as Doc Holliday!!
I love the movie ‘The Shootist’ John Wayne’s last movie. Going out in a Blaze of Glory was fitting for the Duke. I don’t think there will ever be a man’s man like John Wayne ever again.
“Red River” with John Wayne and Montgomery Cliff. The 1948 western was a great film!
Dances with Wolves
Beautiful western scenery. US military man converted to Native Indian ,and some action. One can imagine what would be like during the wild wild west time.
My Name Is Nobody !!!!!!! 1973 — Henry Fonda and Terence Hill !!!!!!! AWESOME western and the fastest gunfighter anywhere !!!!!!!!!
I’m a huge fan of Tombstone. “Go ahead, skin that smoke wagon and see what happens.”
Wild wild west 1999 film featuring Will Smith
The dark tower! It’s close enough.
Young Guns
https://youtu.be/Za9YMxLKH-A
Loved unforgiven
The Wild Wild West, with Robert Conrad, such a great show to watch as kids, was the 1 show I never missed
Tombstone all the way.. I’ll be your huckleberry!
No Name on the Bullet . Audie Murphy one of the best old western movies. Also a great actor and a real American hero.
Once Upon A Time In The West – 1968 Truly epic spaghetti western with Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale, and other great actors as well. Directed by the great Sergio Leone, with beautiful large scenery, and an unforgettable music soundtrack/score, it has to be one of the longest westerns of it’s era. The ending is dramatically drawn out with a long stretch of slightly haunting music as Bronson finally gets his day to square things away with the bad guy Fonda. One of the greats for sure!
Bonanza !!
Little Joe, Hoss, Adam and the gang riding around on the Ponderosa. Good wholesome message from back in a time when life was much simpler.
A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hardy HI HO SILVER. The Lone Ranger’s Horse says it all, bring on the Prospector Series.
Back to the future. I think it was #3 where Marty goes back to old West days and is almost hung for some crime.