The camera may have missed lewis and clarks explorations in the early part of the century, but it preserved many of the frontiers moments in time. It is certainly true today that firearms are associated with the old west more than with any other era of american history. The life of john wesley hardin by john wesley hardin, half broke horses. See more ideas about old west, history and american history.
There could be a number of starting points for a story on handguns of the old west. While a 20th century gun, the old west was still very much wild, particularly in oklahoma, texas, arizona, nevada, and parts of california, and lawmen and outlaws alike were quick to. Gunfights have left a lasting impression on american frontier history. These handsome capandball six guns were among the most popular in the old west. Heiser double gun holster rig for a pair of 5 12 or 4 34 inch colt saa price. William ake brother to jeff ake, william was a gunfighter who fought in the mason county war in texas from. They are scans of the pages of actual old catalogs that have been electronically. Whether your interest is in martially marked examples or the colorful guns that won the west, this book is for you. Back in the affluent days of the roaring 20s most private gun collectors considered colts and other firearms of the old west to be nothing more than used guns. An illustrated guide dover military history, weapons, armor charles edward chapel. The wild west was the home of many colorful often disreputable characters. This list showcases firearms that adhere to the myth period of the wild west that is, those guns seen during the span romanticized by hollywood films and other media. The nearest was in a new mexico bar when two guys started arguing about. This romanticized image of the old west gunfight was born in the dime novels of the late 19th century and perpetuated in the film era, to such a point that this fictional version is what our.
None of us have time to read it all enjoy the quest. Here are the top 10 reallife deadly gunslingers from the wild west. The history of the development of old west gun leather has to be related in generalizations, because there were probably more than a few saddle makers and pistol carrying wanderers and soldiers who dreamed up their own versions of holsters and gun belts before any of the popular styles became commonplace. Its a great collectible for fans of the general and. This revolver from cimarron is in a class of its own.
The gun collection of famous collector and hunter president theodore roosevelt is given its own chapter. Journey back in time with us as we look at eight legendary old west revolvers carried by prominent outlaws, lawmen, inventors and exhibitionists. The actual recognized span of the true american frontier period spans 1607 to 1912. The time life the old west complete series 25 books. When i found a copy of george markhams guns of the wild west at a local used book store, i figured it would be a typical largelyfluff piece with some general history. There are shipping restrictions on all replica firearms. Gunfighters range from different occupations including lawman, outlaw, cowboy, exhibitionists and duelist, but are more commonly synonymous to a hired gun who made a living with his weapons in the old west. In 1873, they murdered five policemen in a texas bar and fled to lincoln county, new mexico. Definitive, scrupulously researched work not only tells the dra. Probably the most famous of the old west firearms is the colt single action army. Jeff ake a gunfighter during the texas reconstruction, he claimed to have known all of the bad men of the times including john wesley hardin, jesse james, cole younger, bill doolin, sam bass, and ben thompson. Shooting lever guns of the old west by mike venturino. Packing iron in the real old west differed from the way it.
But the shootout was one of many that cemented the reputation of this sixchamber gun that saw more than. The title of this book is shooting lever guns of the old west and it was written by mike venturino, venturino illustrator, mike and yvonne illustrator. Hickok is said to have been a great shot, even as a youngster, and was well known for his marksmanship with a pistol. Boorman president of the armor and arms club of new york is detailed guide to the revolvers and firearms of america during the course of its frontier years. The most notable shootouts took place in arizona, california, new mexico, kansas, oklahoma, and texas. An illustrated guide dover military history, weapons, armor guns of the old west, special edition double guns and custom gunsmithing guns. It is a reproduction of a colt single action that general george s. Deadly gunman and old west folk hero james wild bill hickok was born in illinois on may 27, 1837.
In 1911, elmer mccurdy mistakenly robbed a passenger train he thought contained thousands of dollars. Western revolvers like the peacemaker to the classic calvary styled long barrels, these shooters are detailed and cast to look exactly like the originals of the wild wild west. It is simply a collection of books about what the old west was really like from the eyes of gun fighters, mountain men, indians and cowboys. Our list ends with a gent who played many an old west legend on tv. I have chosen to start with the colt paterson, the first practical multipleshot revolver using a percussion cap to ignite the powder shooting a round lead ball. If there was ever a single gun that had an impact on the history of the west, it was the vest pocket deringer pistol used by john wilkes booth to assassinate president abraham lincoln. I never found a single example of the deliberate fair fight quick draw gunfight in all my reading. Both collectors and shooters will agree that the level of detail is unprecedented, including many hundreds of technical drawings and closeup photographs showing the very markings and features that are discussed in the text. From the colt model 1911 to the winchester model 1907 and beyond, amcs western tv series the son features an impressive arsenal on the texas border. Illustrated with nearly 500 illustrations, as well as important artwork from the western period from artists such as frederic remington, guns of the old west is an essential work for gun collectors and american history enthusiasts. Books novels and history nonref old west daily reader. How the colt single action army revolver won the west.
The pistols manufactured in the 1800s were mostly large and heavy and the pommel holsters were often the preferred means of carrying them. This is a black mark against the rifle today, with commercial hunting typically blamed for pushing the prairie behemoth to the brink of extinction. Complete gun guide for beginners from buying and owning guns, firearms, self defense, deer hunting, police officer, weapons. Shortly after they arrived, ben horrell drunkenly gunned down yet another lawman, only to be murdered in turn by a local posse. Accordingly, their reputation for smooth handling and perfect balance made these.
The booksellerpublisher has an abiding interest in the old west. The wild west of nineteenth century america was at times a chaotic and unruly place, not helped by the lack of law enforcement officials. Jim earles priceless historic gun collection includes. Replica western pistols and revolvers replica dungeon. Replica western pistols are almost as cool as our sword display so we just had to add them to our online catalog. The museum displays one such pistol connected to a macabre story of murder and mayhem. The pommel holster, which had its origins in europe, allowed gun owners to carry their firearms mounted across the front of the saddle within quick and easy reach. Mar 18, 2020 history via hangings both legal and vigilante type. As always with old west daily reader, this is a very light touch on the literature in, around and about the old west. Named for the republic of texas navy, over 200,000 were manufactured between 1850 and 1873. In 1855, after a fight hickok mistakenly believed had ended with the death of his adversary, the 18year old headed west. Explore 10 true stories of the wild west, some of them stranger than fiction. The horrell brothers were a nightmarish family of cowboys who carried out some of the old west s worst atrocities.
I did a fair amount of research on this for my old west nonfiction books. Here, robert walsh debunks the myths and shares what really happened. Gary cooper 19011961 was an american actor who starred as the lead in many movies, from silent films into the sound era. This is a vivid portrait of famous western characters, paired with the guns they used to make themselves famous or, as the case.