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!
Bonanza
Roy Rogers!
Tombstone and Bonanza.
No other than Pale Rider, Clint Eastwood
It is hard to choose – I love all western movies, but for me is Open Range or Jeremiah Johnson. I know JJ is not about gun slingers but I love it.
HBO TV Series “Deadwood”
Tombstone for sure
Once upon a time in the West… A great classic. Henry Fonda plays the best bad guy!
Tombstone may be one of the best gunslinging movies. Doc makes the movie for sure. Have you ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light.
When you think gunslinger, Clint Eastwood is the first name that comes to mind.
However I enjoyed the movie Hidalgo. It is not really a western, but Vigo Played a great gunslinger. He was quiet, polite, and never backed down with his colt 6 shooter at his side. He never strayed from his charecter even though he was not in an environment where cowboys were respected. As all gunslingers, he always had his trusty mustang at his side.
Lust in the Dust
Tombstone = Greatest western of all time.
“You tell him I’m comin! And I’m being hell with me!”
Bonanza, Hoss had the greatest smile.
I really liked Fistful of Dollars and Good, Bad and Ugly. you can see how people fight and stand alone in front of all difficulties r
Tombstone is one of my favorites
The best classic Western line, is in the movie Tombstone. When Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) says to Johnny Ringo….”I’m Your Huckleberry”!
I’m partial to the spaghetti western show “Laredo”. Perfect mix of action and humor combined with plenty of great acting experience of the cast from other westerns!
Didn’t Will Smith do a movie about the wild west? I’m not sure because I never saw it. I remember a song about it though. I’m not really a fan of this genre actually but I do love free stuff; especially silver. And what a fun design! My parents used to watch westerns and also the Beverly Hillbillies and Little House on the Prairie, but I don’t think that counts. Anywho, send me free silver please!
Got to go with True Grit. The quiet giant John Wayne can portray both the good and sad side of the Wild West.
There are sooooo many great Western Films with Gunslingers. I really enjoy The Outlaw Josey Wales. Clint Eastwood does great job. He says “Are you going pull those Pistols or whistle Dixie?” A bunch of great quality movies with neat thoughts behide them and history!
How about the movie, “Tombstone”, with Kurt Russel as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday? Those guys did a fantastic job and had a great working dynamic, but here’s a little known fact… all of the moustaches in that movie are real! That’s right; they all grew thier own staches! Now that’s dedication! Next time you watch that movie, keep that in mind…
TV series Frontiersmen. This is when men were men…..strong, brave, relentless with a true since of adventure. Awe inspiring!
The Outlaw Josey Wales… cause it’s the best western of all time.
Paladin ….righting things the right way…for pay.
Deadwood was very enjoyable, unfortunately production costs killed the series prematurely. Another close contender for my favorite is Silverado (appropriate titles movie for this contest).
“Once Upon a time in the West” no one speaks for the first 20 minutes and it depicts the way the railroads took over property for their own gain. One of the few westerns I bought a copy of.
I love the Clint Eastwood westerns especially the one we’re he spits tobacco on to the dogs head..The one with Sally Fields as the nun and Clint also.
There are many great Western Films with Gunslingers. I really enjoy The Outlaw Josey Wales. Clint Eastwood does great job. He says “Are you going pull those Pistols or whistle Dixie?”
My favorite books about the Wild West are the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder whose family were pioneers and encountered criminals in their homesteading lives. Pa acted as a gunman at times to protect the lives of others.
Outlaw Josey Whales: The dude controlling the river crossing raft, depending who was riding sang Dixie or Battle Hymn of the Republic with equal enthusiasm. Nice!
Good the bad and the ugly