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 Grandfather to me to see Shane in a special showing about 40 years ago. It really is a classic. I see so much of the influence of this movie in Westerns made since the 70s to today.
The Good, bad and ugly is a great movie. They don’t make movies like that anymore. And Tombstone is my favorite.
I absolutely Love the Western film “SABATA” with Lee Van Cleef as the main character and William Berger as his partner Banjo. It is about how a master gunfighter teams up with his banjo-playing partner and a Mexican bandit to foil the town leaders of Daugherty, Texas, who want to steal $100,000 from their own bank. Pretty awesome. Check it out everybody. Thanks. Keep America Free
Hands down favorite western was Rio Bravo with John Wayne and the King of Cool Dean Martin.
Young guns or tombstone
Rio Bravo – 1959 (John Wayne and Dean Martin). DOES’NT GET BETTER THAN THAT!!
The Outlaw Josey Wales. Iconic tale of the farmer turned gunslinger and hero.
I would have to say either Butch and Sundance or 2 mules for sister Sara:) . I remember watching these on the silver screen with my father . Thank you for the entry into your contest.
My favorite is Hombre with Paul Newman.
The movie ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ hands down!
Bonanza and the Rifleman are my favorites
The Rifleman. Story line frequently had Godly morals.
I was born in 1966, so I grew up watching Gun Smoke, Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, The Rifleman, etc. Great classic westerns that are family friendly and can teach valuable life lessons.
Anything with John Wayne loved watching westerns when I was younger
Hell on Wheels is a great show. It starts a little before the cowboy era though.
Outlaw Josey Wales. Cant help but watch it evertime it is on.
Tombstone
Three of my favorites are Hang ’em High, A Fistful of Dollars, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Classic Eastwood in all three, and hard to top the trio of Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, & Eli Wallach.
The Magnificent Seven
The Salvaltion, a 2014 movie starring Mads Mikkelsen as a Danish immigrant in the 1870s American west is an intense film that is beautifully shot with a terrific supporting cast. If you’re a fan of Westerns and you haven’t yet seen it, it’s time to check out the trailer on imdb.com.
My love of the wild west came from my grandfather who taught me to respect the history of the people who worked hard to give us what we have today. My favorite show is Gunsmoke, which I always watched with him. Even though he is now gone, I still watch and love the show. I would rather watch Gunsmoke over any other show.
Tombstone (movie) with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer is hands down my favorite Wild West anything! Great story, cast, script. cinematography, and music. Highly recommended!
You just cannot beat “Lonesome Dove”. It captures all facets of the American West; from cattle drives, to Indians to gun fights to prostitutes and saloons to card games/gambling and men’s HONOR and dis-Honor. An excellent MUST SEE film; filled with the history and romance of the Old West.
A ton of movies but I especially loved the Lonesome Dove mini series. Really captured the feel of the era in my imagination.
Anything John wayne. Loved El dorado and Rio Bravo.
The “Duke” will always be remembered as one of the best cowboy actors……in real life Wyatt Earp and his bunch will be remembered forever………..
Cheyenne (TV series) with Clint Walker was a great show
I was out to sea in a submarine when the Duke died. We had a movie marathon and watched the Duke films exclusively for two days. We even allowed non-equals to watch the Duke. Duke is a true American hero.
As I got a little older and the shows and other television items began to be not as good as when I was much younger. Now my favorite TV series is “Death Valley Days.” Most of it is factual and interesting, showing how our country was first transformed from cities to exploits of adventure. The gold and silver rushes are represented in a more true and factual way than other series which portray imagined heroes or outlaws.
Absolutely HBO’s WESTWORLD!! My craving for old western series all wrapped up in one show and More!
I’m going old school with Clint Eastwood and his Spaghetti Westerns. How can you not love Pale Rider, The Good the Bad the Ugly, Joe Kidd and High Plains Drifter just to mention a few. It’s Clint’s classic stair that would send shivers down the back of any opponent he would face. I love watching those classics anytime I can.