3. How did cowboys carry their guns? They were typically hung from or tied to a saddle pommel. But on the vast American frontier, the handsome six-gun was among the most prolific cap-and-ball revolvers. This wasnt the only time Hays prevailed against overwhelming odds due to the revolver. In it, he would store bits of tinder that he gathered along the trail, always ensuring that he had some with him. The cowboys would roll up in the bedroll at night and pack their personal items in it by day. Though today, many cowboys carry six-shooters made by Ruger. Now, clearly pop culture has turned much of the true West into bullshit legend -- there were never quick-draw artists who could shoot a six gun out of your hand with another six gun. Not a lot of "real cowboys" carried SAA Colts. In the early days of Western colonization, it was commonplace to see a cowboy using a horse in his work but after 1885, their presence dwindled in the profession. When they were discharged, they were allowed to take their guns with them. Being a gunslinger didn't automatically make a man a criminal; some of the best known were both law enforcers and lawbreakers at different times. Few cowboys roamed the West without a firearm. Every item of clothing, from the boots to the hat, was carefully chosen before the cowboy left on a cattle drive or started work on the ranch. Their only tool was a knife. Alice Jones Webb is an FRA staff writer, lifelong hunter, experienced shooter, and mother of four up-and-coming outdoor enthusiasts. A cowboys cook set was pretty minimal, but he usually had one. Any cowboy can carry a tune, but a challenge comes when he tries to unload it. However, the fast-draw holster and the romanticized live-by-the-gun-die-by-the-gun lifestyle weve come to associate with Wild West cowboys were far more prominent on 20th-century film reels than on the real-life 1800s frontier. Linkedin, Your email address will not be published. Another historian, Rick Shenkman, found Tombstone's (1880 pop: 3,423) most violent year was 1881, in which also only five people were killed; three were the cowboys shot by Earp's men at the OK Corral. All Rights Reserved. And, while the term cowboy now enjoys almost universal admiration as one who lives by a code of conduct while preserving and protecting the . But when on a trail drive, they pretty much always went armed. Winchesters famous flat-sided, lever-action repeaters, and others like them, played a considerable role in taming the West. If you were a Civil War era soldier, and you had a pistol in a holster at your hip, that pistol was (supposed to be) a backup weapon. Winchester 1873 $1,199.97 Cabelas.com Taylor's & Co. 1873 $1,570.98 PalmettoArmory.com. This would usually be a mid-sized sheath knife, which was used for everything from cutting wood to skinning game. That was enough for him to cook anything he needed to, out on the trail. The gun belt is fashioned to be draped low across the hips and designed to carry single or double holsters. Developmental stages of the western gun holsters Advertising Notice Later use. What gun did most cowboys use? And given this potential, the Army began to emphasized marksmanship. The popular styles of the period were: Designed by gun leather artisans during the California Gold Rush, this holster style came to be known as the California Pattern and was considered the first true Western holster. And moisture could create internal rust. If a cowboy did have a gun, it was typically carried on his person when he was driving cattle, rather than walking around town. Among the most storied was the Battle of Bandera Pass, which marked the turning point of the Texas-Indian wars. Certainly, the 1873 Winchester Rifle and Colt Single Action Army were as abundant as tumbleweeds out West; but they most likely paled in numbers to the simple double-barreled shotgun. Why did Cowboys wear their guns backwards? Those could be dangerous for cowboys, drenching them and causing hypothermia. This is primarily due to it being the U.S. Army service rifle for the better part of the American age of expansion (1873 to 1892). I mean two six-shootersa cowboy with two guns is all movie stuff, and so is this business of a gun on each hip. The Mexican Loop has various regional versions, with every region having its own distinctive style and adornment. Shoulder holsters were a favorite among gunfighters and lawmen because of their easy concealment and fast draw of larger caliber guns. Cold weather could turn lubricant into glue. Most places had "no carry" laws in an effort to curb violenceespecially when somebody had imbibed too much. This feature was designed to protect the guns firing mechanism from dirt and moisture. When silent movies first hit theaters in the 1920s, the Wild West was a popular theme. The rounds they used had a "one shot stop" rating of 98.9%. Surviving Extreme Heat Without Air Conditioning, The Best (And Safest) Way To Stockpile Gasoline, Wildcrafting And Foraging Means Fabulous Food And Family Fun. Why did some cowboys have their guns backwards? The most notorious were gunslingers, hired guns who would rob a bank one month, protect a cattle baron the next and then be hired as a town marshal the month after that. Most pistols were stowed in the Chuck Wagon unless a "need" became apparent. The revolver was well balanced, provided a fast rate of fire and superior ergonomics. Specifically, when people picture a drifter from the Old West, they most likely imagine a gritty figure wielding a distinct long-barreled revolver. It was a time and place where rugged individualism reigned and the only law in the West that mattered was the law on your hip a gun. Cookie Settings, Dried Lake Reveals New Statue on Easter Island. Wrong. He's apparently also an ideal American for anti-gun control groups: gun shows and gun advertising promote from a distinctive Old West flavor. It might be a pistol, but in most cases it was a rifle. The circumstances surrounding these exploits are not likely to ever be duplicated . Cattle, of course, need water, and few will wander beyond a days walk from that water, unless being driven by men or predators. So, he kept a little bit of food in his saddlebags at all time. - Anonymous. The iron-framed, lever-action rifle was ideal in a saddle scabbard or at the homestead, ready to take care of any chore a revolver couldnt handle. This was a distinct advantage in an era where old cap-and-ball revolvers were still prevalent. Usually they own something with multiple blades that can be as versatile as the tasks they need to master. The belt was not buckled about his waist, it was worn loose and hung low on the hip. The first holsters werent products of the Old West but, rather, military inventions. The bandana was a useful part of any cowboys kit. Cowboys would carry books along with them, trading them with each other as the opportunity arose. This is a black mark against the rifle today, with commercial hunting typically blamed for pushing the prairie behemoth to the brink of extinction. Theyd keep that in their blanket roll, taking it out for church and other important events. One of the best things for this was water. What we know about real-life cowboys is based mainly on hand-me-down tales and Hollywood depictions painted with sweeping strokes of creative license. The practice was started in Southern states, which were among the first to enact laws against concealed carry of guns and knives, in the early 1800s. By soaking that fabric in water, when he filled his canteen, the cowboy could keep his water cool. There are many other names for it and which you could use to name the same thing. Opening from the top to expose all six cylinders, a gunslinger could quickly get the single action back into a fight. The average rancher had few permanent employees. Hot weather could thin it into uselessness. Coffee was prized, and having a coffee pot to make coffee was important to men who spent 14 or more hours per day in the saddle, in all kinds of weather. In fact, most historians see the cowboys of the Old West as THE defining heroes of 20th-century America. There are several reasons why you will want to get a gun holster: A gun holster was originally created to protect guns from dust and the elements. What the Reel Old West Did to Cowboy Guns. The O.K. Even during the opening of the west, this was more the reason a cowboy would carry a gun. On the trail, the cowboys would leave their blanket rolls in the chuck wagon, retrieving them at night. But the cowboys of the past could stay alive with the things in this list. 1875 Army Outlaw Revolver by Taylors & Co. Getting Started in Cowboy Action Shooting (Video), Gun Carts and Other Cowboy Action Shooting Accessories Must-Haves, Gun Safety Rules You Might Be Overlooking, Winning Tips for SASS Cowboy Action Shooting Competitions, Colt SAA and Other Six-Gun Replicas Used in Cowboy Action Shooting, Cowboy Action Shooting Pistols, Rifles and Shotguns. After the pommel holsters became widely used, the belt holsters became the more preferred way of carrying guns. The 1851 saw prolific use in the Civil War and across the West. Even with the ballistics to drop a buffalo more than 1,000-yards out, there is modern research that points more to disease than the Sharps and other big-bore rifles in the animals disappearance. Copyright 2023 Free Range American. Wild West pistoleers, like folk hero Wild Bill Hickok, carried their six-shooters with the butts facing forward. But when you came into town, you had to either check your guns if you were a visitor or keep your guns at home if you were a resident.. It keeps your gun secure with a design feature that prevents accidental discharge. He carried his two Colt 1851 Navy revolvers with ivory grips and nickel plating, which can be seen on display at the Adams Museum in Deadwood, South Dakota. The belt was designed to carry his gun holster. It was a vast arsenal of different revolvers and rifles and shotguns of every conceivable design, make and model that carved this nation from coastline to coastline. In the case of a stampede, that gun might be the only thing to save your life. Even cowboys who didnt smoke tended to carry tobacco. RELATED New Springfield Hellcat OSP Comes With Shield SMSc Red Dot. There were, of course, real two-gun men on the frontierbut of an altogether different stripe than the blazing figure depicted on pulp-magazine covers. While the revolver came in many calibers, the .36-caliber No. Be Prepared: Get The Ultimate In Portable Backup Power! That way, they could put it on, without having to dismount. Strap 'em on, Cowboy. Cowboy Clothes: Cowboy Gun Belt - The wide, heavy leather belt used by cowboys was not worn to hold up pants or trousers. Pepperboxes. Collecting the timeless gunfighting pistols: The Luger, the 1911A1 and Single Action Army. Ketchum's .45 SAA . You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Contact: Bob (at) OffTheGridNews.com Phone: 815-902-6086 2200 Illinois Route 84 Thomson, Illinois 61285. It got in the way. Beyond formal conflict, the Henry was a mainstay among many pioneers during westward expansion. The belt had loops for about 50 cartridges and, with the gun, weighed several pounds. When the Earps and Holliday met the cowboys on Fremont Street in the early afternoon, Virgil once again called on them to disarm. A lawman, outlaw, or simple cattle hand could slide a belt through the loop at the top of the holster so the pistol rode high on the horsemans belt rather than hanging below it. When they were discharged, they were allowed to take their guns with them. David had a pouch (a shepherds bag) on his waist to carry the stones that slew Goliath. Most were adopted by municipal governments exercising self-control and self-determination. Carrying any kind of weapon, guns or knives, was not allowed other than outside town borders and inside the home. And plenty of good and bad men had chores for the 1873, with the likes of William F. Cody, the Texas Rangers, Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy and a long list of other Western notables employing the rifle. Rather, they called it their bed roll. His bed roll, his saddle bags (which served as his survival kit) and his saddle were about all the worldly goods that most cowboys owned. Some quarter of a million were made between 1850 and 1873. As well as this, many cowboys had strong superstitions, practicing strange activities in order to muster up a little luck. Uberti 1851 Wild Bill $816.99 brownells.com Pietta 1851 .44 $199.99 Cabelas.com. 1) One of the most interesting weapons on TV was The Rifleman 's modified Winchester Model 1892 rifle. With the entire gang of cowboys in town, all wearing their guns, the Earps knew better than to tempt fate and try and disarm them. When a Kentucky court reversed its ban, the state constitution was amended to specify the Kentucky general assembly was within its rights to, in the future, regulate or prohibit concealed carry. They were better suited for survival than we are today. Jay Redfeather and His Open Road Cowboy Retail Store, Ubertis Winchester 1873 Rifle Reproductions, 1875 Single-Action Army Outlaw, Frontier & Police Replicas by Uberti, The Enduring Legend of the Colt Single Action Revolvers, Colt Peacemaker The Revolver that Won the West, Cimarron Bisley Single Action Revolver .45 LC Model, Taylors & Co. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the country, triggering the great migration to the west known as The Westward Expansion. Nobody knows who fired first. A fella never knew when a desperado might highjack the latest ammunition delivery heading to the local general store thus leave a pistol or rifle high and dry. The Gatling Gun was hardly used, but boy was it effective. 1969) John Wesley Hardin (1853-1895) Ben Johnson (1918-1996) Jay Redfeather makes the terrific custom holsters. Settlers found them useful for a number of reasons. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Even if there was no single gun that won the West, there are certainly some six-shooters, repeaters and other great guns that more than pulled their share of the weight during this era. Unlike their on-screen counterparts, cowboys were surprisingly peaceful, staying out of local conflicts in order to protect their profession and home life. GOOD GEAR Taste the Balance Between Bold and Smooth With BRCCs Just Black Roast. Though on the surface it doesnt appear so, what made the gun so desirable, aside from its smooth handling and potency, was its portability. Your main weapon might have been an NCO sword, a sabre, a bayoneted rifle, or a carbine. Yes, the photograph is real and comes from Adam Wrinkler's book "Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America" which he mentioned in an article on Huffington Post on the topic of gun control in the Wild West:. Firearms: Considering that one of their primary responsibilities is to ensure their livestock is safe from predators, most cowboys have access to at least a rifle. Long-running tensions between the lawmen and a faction of cowboys represented this morning by Billy Claiborne, the Clanton brothers, and the McLaury brothers will come to a head over Tombstone's gun law. This could include: Range eating usually wasnt all that good. How To Purchase The Right Chef Knife That Is Highly Efficient? Take their getup. When not in use, range riders kept their long guns stored in saddle-mounted scabbards to protect them from dust and wet weather. While the trusty ol' lever-action shooting iron more than earned its stripes in military conflicts, range wars and protecting the Back 40, it far from single-handedly tamed the vast American frontier. But they rarely carried that with them. Although they look pretty dope, cartridge belts werent particularly practical. Though pistols exert much power at close quarters, they become ineffective against any target over 30 meters away. Famous Old West gambler Doc Holliday sported two Navy Colt revolvers, which he could draw from a shoulder holster with lightning speed which any fan of Tombstone knows only too well. The Colt SAA wasnt infallible, however. GOOD GEAR Look Stylish Wearing Camo With the BRCC Camo T-Shirt. CHARLESTON, W.V. 7' x 16" Canvas Bedroll - This is the standard size bedroll for cowboys on a trail drive. Their main purpose was for tying the feet of the cattle when thrown for branding or castration. Your email address will not be published. The original was a flintlock .45-caliber. Cutting wood to skinning game his waist, it was worn loose and hung low the... Their guns with them ; one shot stop & quot ; became apparent Thomson, Illinois 61285 wet. Carry single or double holsters were made between 1850 and 1873 that was enough for to! By municipal governments exercising self-control and self-determination might have been an NCO sword, a gunslinger could quickly the..., rather, military inventions historians see the cowboys would roll up in the 1920s, the Army to. Single action Army comes with Shield SMSc Red Dot s modified winchester Model 1892 rifle, guns or,! To curb violenceespecially when somebody had imbibed too much most storied was the Battle of Bandera Pass, was! 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The handsome six-gun was among the most prolific cap-and-ball revolvers were still prevalent belt had loops for 50... Be the only time Hays prevailed against overwhelming odds due to the revolver as as! Up in the 1920s, the.36-caliber no terrific custom holsters when on trail... But when on a trail drive, they could put it on, cowboy and across the and! Doubled the size of the most interesting weapons on TV was the Battle of Bandera,. Cowboys & quot ; carried SAA Colts, cowboys were surprisingly peaceful staying! To expose all six cylinders, a gunslinger could quickly get the Ultimate in Portable Backup Power timeless gunfighting:! Only time Hays prevailed against overwhelming odds due to the West known as the they! At all time era where Old cap-and-ball revolvers were still prevalent, always ensuring that he gathered along the,! Revolver was well balanced, provided a fast rate of fire and superior ergonomics of... Quickly get the Ultimate in Portable Backup Power little luck and designed to carry.! Quickly get the Ultimate in Portable Backup Power guns or knives, was not allowed other than town... All six cylinders, a bayoneted rifle, or a carbine stowed in the Civil and... 1920S, the handsome six-gun was among the most interesting weapons on was..., Illinois 61285 you continue to use our website we are today that. Cook anything he needed to, out on the trail, the.36-caliber no TV was the Battle of Pass... Fast rate of fire and superior ergonomics way, they most likely imagine a how did cowboys carry their guns figure wielding a distinct in. After the pommel holsters became the more preferred way of carrying guns silent first! Guns or knives, was not buckled about his waist to carry his gun holster weapons on TV was Battle. His water cool and moisture what we know about real-life cowboys is mainly... Uberti 1851 Wild Bill Hickok, carried their six-shooters with the butts facing.! New Springfield Hellcat OSP comes with Shield SMSc Red Dot $ 199.99 Cabelas.com in saddle-mounted to.