Firearms

the significant icons of the Old West
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Durango, Colorado, photographer E. A. Walker captured this nattily dressed frontiersman with his Model 1860 Spencer carbine, circa early 1870s. In the years before the Winchester lever actions were introduced, Westerners of every kind considered the Spencer a superior arm. Although the Henry could be fired faster, The Spencer was a more powerful and less complicated firearm. Cowboy Pictures, Western Photography, Indian Scout, South Of The Border, Vintage Portraits, Cowboy And Cowgirl, Old West, Western Art, Historical Pictures
Spencer Carbine
Durango, Colorado, photographer E. A. Walker captured this nattily dressed frontiersman with his Model 1860 Spencer carbine, circa early 1870s. In the years before the Winchester lever actions were introduced, Westerners of every kind considered the Spencer a superior arm. Although the Henry could be fired faster, The Spencer was a more powerful and less complicated firearm.
When the Mexican War began in 1846, Capt. Samuel H. Walker, U.S. Army, traveled east, looked up Sam Colt, and collaborated on the design of a new, more powerful revolver. Concealed Carry Holsters, Ghost Rider, Old West, Texas Rangers, Wild West, Old Things, History
Samuel Walker
When the Mexican War began in 1846, Capt. Samuel H. Walker, U.S. Army, traveled east, looked up Sam Colt, and collaborated on the design of a new, more powerful revolver.
One of three Shiloh-Sharps rifles created for use by Tom Selleck in the movie Quigley Down Under, features the initials “MQ,” for the fictional character Matthew Quigley, inlaid onto the side of its receiver. Quigley Down Under, Shiloh Sharps, Tom Selleck Mug, Tom Selleck Sunglasses, Tom Selleck High Road To China, Tom Selleck Blue Bloods, Famous Outlaws, Tom Selleck Cowboy Western Movies, Moving To Denver
Shiloh-Sharps
One of three Shiloh-Sharps rifles created for use by Tom Selleck in the movie Quigley Down Under, features the initials “MQ,” for the fictional character Matthew Quigley, inlaid onto the side of its receiver.
It’s unknown if the ’60 Colts from McCulloch’s order went to the Texas Rangers guarding against Indian depredations along their vast frontier or to that state’s volunteer cavalry units fighting against Union forces. In this period photograph, a Confederate trooper, possibly a Texan, proudly brandishes his eight-inch barreled, fluted cylinder 1860 Colt and a massive sword-like Bowie knife. Could he have one of the McCulloch Colts? Jefferson Davis, Vintage Portraits, Lone Star, Old West, Texas Rangers, Old Things
McCulloch's Colts
It’s unknown if the ’60 Colts from McCulloch’s order went to the Texas Rangers guarding against Indian depredations along their vast frontier or to that state’s volunteer cavalry units fighting against Union forces. In this period photograph, a Confederate trooper, possibly a Texan, proudly brandishes his eight-inch barreled, fluted cylinder 1860 Colt and a massive sword-like Bowie knife. Could he have one of the McCulloch Colts?
These five heavily armed deputy U.S. Marshals served at the behest of federal Judge Isaac Parker of Fort Smith, Arkansas. They are all holding Winchester 1873 rifles. Old West Photos, Us Marshals, Oklahoma History, Wilde Westen, Into The West, American Frontier, Cowboy Girl, True Grit, Fort Smith
US Marshals
These five heavily armed deputy U.S. Marshals served at the behest of federal Judge Isaac Parker of Fort Smith, Arkansas. They are all holding Winchester 1873 rifles.
two decorative items are sitting on a leather tablecloth, one is a bottle and the other is a spoon
Colt Walker
One of the defining attributes of the Colt Walker is its .44 caliber ball, which provided for superior stopping power.
Samuel Colt’s (pictred) 1836 Paterson was Colt’s first commercially successful repeating revolver. This single-action, cap-and-ball firearm featured a five-shot cylinder and was highly valued by Texas Rangers for its ability to fire multiple shots without reloading. Kit Carson, Concealed Carry Holsters, Marketing Professional, Old West, Texas Rangers, Winchester, Cardio, Old Things, Historical Figures
Samuel Colt
Samuel Colt’s (pictred) 1836 Paterson was Colt’s first commercially successful repeating revolver. This single-action, cap-and-ball firearm featured a five-shot cylinder and was highly valued by Texas Rangers for its ability to fire multiple shots without reloading.
September 26, 2024, True West’s beloved Firearms Editor, Phil Spangenberger, died suddenly during a heart procedure. He contributed to True West for more than two decades and we wanted to send him off with an extended memorial of his life and career. 520 West 28th, How The West Was Fun 1994, Gunfighters Of The Old West, Famous Western Sheriffs, Robert Conrad Wild Wild West, Mounted Shooting, Wild West Show, Cowboy Action Shooting, Colt Single Action Army
Phil Spangenberger
September 26, 2024, True West’s beloved Firearms Editor, Phil Spangenberger, died suddenly during a heart procedure. He contributed to True West for more than two decades and we wanted to send him off with an extended memorial of his life and career.
an older man standing in front of a white brick wall holding a pair of scissors
Collecting Outlaws
Wilbur Zink has made it his personal mission to help save important relics of the Old West, such as the shoulder holster and pistol once owned by Sheriff Mable Chase. Zink was inspired to begin his collection when he learned about his grandfather’s connection to outlaw John Younger.
Phil Spangenberger was a gun coach, technical consultant, military advisor and extra on Touchstone Pictures’ Hidalgo (2004). He was put in a couple of short “eye-blinking” scenes in the Wounded Knee sequence in which he was a first sergeant in command of 150 dismounted 1890-era 7th Cavalry soldiers. He wore a greatcoat and fur cap, and carried a ’73 Springfield trapdoor carbine and 7½-inch, holstered Colt Single Action Army revolver. Colt 1878 Frontier, 1875 Army Outlaw, Wild West Military, Old Western Movie Sets, Cowboy Action Shooting, Colt Single Action Army, Tv Miniseries, Touchstone Pictures, Colt 1860 Army Revolver
Spangenberger
Phil Spangenberger was a gun coach, technical consultant, military advisor and extra on Touchstone Pictures’ Hidalgo (2004). He was put in a couple of short “eye-blinking” scenes in the Wounded Knee sequence in which he was a first sergeant in command of 150 dismounted 1890-era 7th Cavalry soldiers. He wore a greatcoat and fur cap, and carried a ’73 Springfield trapdoor carbine and 7½-inch, holstered Colt Single Action Army revolver.
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Among the trusted sidearms of the Old West, the 1875 Remington – seen here in the hand of the cowboy at right – earned a place on the hip of legendary figures including Frank James, brother of outlaw Jesse James, who favored it’s solid build and reliability after leaving the outlaw trail behind. Historical Cowboy, Historically Accurate Cowboy, Texas Cowboys 1800s, Wild West Cowboy On Horse, Historical Cowboy Photos, Old West Photos, Cowboy Artists, Western Photo, Real Cowboys
Remington's 1875 - a Copycat peacemaker?
Among the trusted sidearms of the Old West, the 1875 Remington – seen here in the hand of the cowboy at right – earned a place on the hip of legendary figures including Frank James, brother of outlaw Jesse James, who favored it’s solid build and reliability after leaving the outlaw trail behind.
Mike Harvey is the owner and founder of Cimarron Firearms Co. and the proprietor of Texas Jack Wild West Outfitter in Fredericksburg, Texas. What History Has Taught Me with Mike Harvey: https://truewestmagazine.com/article/what-history-has-taught-me-mike-harvey/ Monte Walsh, Mike Harvey, Western Expansion, Jack Palance, Lee Marvin, Battle Of New Orleans, Jeanne Moreau, Cattle Ranching, Best Western
Cimarron
Mike Harvey is the owner and founder of Cimarron Firearms Co. and the proprietor of Texas Jack Wild West Outfitter in Fredericksburg, Texas. What History Has Taught Me with Mike Harvey: https://truewestmagazine.com/article/what-history-has-taught-me-mike-harvey/
Guns of the Mexican revolucionarios. During Mexico’s Revolution of 1910, the rebel forces fought for their freedom with a vast variety of firearms that ran the gamut from blackpowder muzzleloaders and single-shot cartridge rifles to then modern lever-action and bolt-action repeaters-even machine guns. Mexican Revolution, Manifest Destiny, American Frontier, Western Life, American West, Old West, Wild West, Old Things, History
Vaquero Firepower
Guns of the Mexican revolucionarios. During Mexico’s Revolution of 1910, the rebel forces fought for their freedom with a vast variety of firearms that ran the gamut from blackpowder muzzleloaders and single-shot cartridge rifles to then modern lever-action and bolt-action repeaters-even machine guns.
a close up of a pair of scissors on a white surface with yellow handles and two holes in the middle
Ben McCulloch
Although Texas’s Ben McCulloch wanted 2,000 fluted cylinder 1860 “Cavalry” model Colts, only the first thousand found their way to the Lone Star State. This McCulloch Colt, serial no. 4381, was shipped (by land) on April 9, 1861 and arrived in New Orleans on April 16. Notice the model’s brass trigger guard and serial numbering.