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 Name is Nobody” it may be a comedy western but a film of a young gunslinger respecting an old gunslinger, with Henry Fonda and Terence Hill, working together to build a legacy and start another without either dying was great. Now the ability to draw, then holster, then slap the man, and then draw again before they can draw once may be unrealistic but very cool especially when you’re a kid.
any John Wayne movie. Recently I found a good new one caleed Bonetomahawk
“‘Courage’ is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” ~John Wayne
John Wayne as big Jake, now that is a classic.
I always enjoyed the “Gunsmoke” TV series with Marshall Dillon, Chester, Doc, and Ms Kitty the best.
I can’t hear Bonanza music without thinking of my dad… he watched very little TV and to be with him snuggled on the couch watching Bonanza was the best part of my week.
As much as i love tombstone, theres something to be said about the dialogue in the new hateful !
There are so many; but U.S. Marshall Matt Dillon pulled no punches and a six shooter standing up to all.
“Open Range” is my favorite western of all time!
That would to have a time machine to visit the old west. RifleMan Gunsmoke The Reble Have gun will travel. Man to live in the old west.
Young guns
Gunsmoke, listen to broadcast, in my highchair, on the radio, watch it in black white, then color TV. Chillen with Marshal Dillion.
Rawhide. Early Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates. Awesome b/w western series!
I gotta go with The Duke. John Wayne is the quintessential hero in my book. I will forever picture him atop a running horse, reins in his teeth, guns a blazing in both hands.
Mine is a song written and sung by the late great Texan Guy Clark. The Last Gunfighter Ballad. You can smell the black powder right through the speakers.
Young Guns II with great soundtrack by Jon Bon Jovi.
Gunsmoke. Marshall Dillon.
Depicting the wild west in a slightly different way, Dances With Wolves is one of my favorites.
The Lone Ranger was my hero!
Definitely my favorite. Clint Eastwood ” Two mules for Sister Sara”
Chuck Conners in the rifleman ! One of a kind rifle he modifided for speed and accuracy !
I really had to think…so many good western movies! I think the one that left the best impression on me was ‘Unforgiven’ with Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. It’s funny how when we get old the things we did in our youth can either haunt you or make you smile. Either of these can make you a better person, or send you down a path of unforgivable acts and remorse. Unfortunately I think all of us have had both…..are you better or worse for your actions?
The Wild Bunch (the original movie). Fast paced and exciting.
Blazing Saddles for humor.
The Good The Bad And The Ugly.
Wild Wild West, the series from the 60’s, action and comedy.
The Rifleman. But there are several that were great shows. I just like Westerns. Love Clint Eastwood ones allot.
Without a doubt, Tombstone is my favorite movie about the early American West. The entire cast was spot on with Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer and Sam Elliott. All played their parts to perfection and created an absolute blockbuster.
Tombstone!
Bonanza was our Sunday night special.
The outlaw Josey Wales is the best Western!