Firearms
Colt’s Cavalry Pistol to the Rescue
- Published May 13, 2013
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
Colt Peacemaker. Just the sound of these words conjures up images of the Wild West. They bring to life scenes of bustling smoke-filled saloons and dusty frontier streets, of thundering cavalry pistol charges across wide-open prairies and of great cattle herds and the hard men who drove them to lusty, lawless railheads like Abilene or Dodge City.
The Godfather of Gunleather
- Published April 15, 2013
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
For firearms enthusiasts, the name John Bianchi is synonymous with quality gunleather, and for good reason.
He’s truly a living legend, having made gunleather rigs for the motion picture industry and for film stars who include John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Paul Newman and many others.
The Peacemaker's Clone
- Published June 12, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
America was preparing to enter her 100th anniversary of independence, the nation’s firearms industry was a veritable beehive of activity. To fulfill demands made by the citizenry of our Western territories, or those ready to depart for these wild lands.
Timeworn Beauties
- Published March 18, 2013
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
While most firearms enthusiasts appreciate a vintage gun showing its original finish, a certain beauty can be found in those well-worn guns whose original color has been shed through the decades and replaced by an iron gray finish that evokes thoughts and images of the past.
One Heap Good Gun
- Published May 15, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
Best known as the “Yellowboy,” an affectionate moniker frontier Indians gave the repeater due to its shiny brass receiver, the Model 1866 was produced by Winchester until 1898. In its 32 years of production, more than 170,000 of these .44 rimfire, lever-action rifles left the factory, with many shipped to the West to play their part in settling that untamed region.
The Yankee “Sixteen Shooter”
- Published February 11, 2013
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
Virtually every lever-action rifle today silently pays tribute to the granddaddy of lever guns designed over 150 years ago.
Got a Spare?
- Published April 16, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
The debate over whether frontiersmen carried spare loaded cylinders for their revolvers, during the era of percussion revolvers and into the age of early metallic cartridge six-guns, continues to rage on.
Frontier “Forty Four”
- Published January 08, 2013
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
Colt’s handsome Model of 1860 was a favorite on the frontier and saw use by notable Westerners such as Frank and Jesse James, John Wesley Hardin, Wild Bill Hickok, the Mormon “Destroying Angel” Porter Rockwell, the Texas Rangers, El Paso lawman Dallas Stoudenmire and California outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez, to name a few of its admirers. These men relied on the power and smooth handling characteristics of what has come to be considered as the ne plus ultra of cap and ball revolvers.
Buffalo Bill’s Saddle Pards
- Published April 13, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody had a number of guns and horses throughout his colorful career. However, he always held one rifle and horse in especially high esteem.
Firearms of 2012
- Published December 10, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
“We’ve long held a fascination for the gunmen of the Wild West, and firearms enthusiasts have been especially interested in the hardware used by them,” wrote Phil Spangenberger, as he introduced our readers to the firearms owned or used by notorious desperado John Wesley Hardin.
Hardin's Deadly Tools
- Published March 13, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
We’ve long held a fascination for the gunmen of the Wild West, and firearms enthusiasts have been especially interested in the hardware used by them.
The Dalton Death Rifle?
- Published November 05, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
While many of the American frontier’s most famous arms are well known today, few have had the distinction of becoming a working classic for as long as the Browning-designed 1886 Winchester lever-action rifle.
The Deadly Dozen
- Published January 09, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
“Oh, it’s old Arizona again,
Wild Bill Says “Muzzle Up”
- Published October 01, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
During the Percussion Era of the mid-19th century, savvy six-gunners like James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok understood the problems inherent with open top revolvers and undoubtedly practiced raising the muzzle between shots to keep the caps from falling into the gun’s workings.
Ugly Ducklings, No More
- Published November 08, 2011
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
Because of their unusual looks, Merwin, Hulbert & Co. firearms have been considered the “ugly ducklings” of frontier six-shooters.
Patróns of the West
- Published September 02, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
El Patrón is an appropriate name for Benelli USA’s Uberti 1873 Cattleman single-action revolver. In English definitions of the Spanish term you’ll find the words protector, landlord or patron—meaning one who is in charge—the boss.
Six-Guns Blaze in Smokewood, Nevada
- Published October 04, 2011
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
As the sun reaches high in the baking Nevada sky, two steely-eyed gunmen slowly walk toward each other in the dusty street.
Colt’s Equalizers
- Published August 06, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
“God created men; Col. Colt made them equal.” So goes the oft-repeated quote about Col. Samuel Colt and his legendary firearms.
A Bandido’s California Colt
- Published July 28, 2011
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
With drawn six-guns, Tiburcio Vasquez rode rampant across early California to become one of the Golden State’s most colorful desperados.
The Mini "Buffalo Gun"
- Published July 10, 2012
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
When most people think of the Sharps rifle, it’s a good bet they probably think “Buffalo Gun.” The “Old Reliable” Sharps single-shot rifle was generally the first choice with hide hunters of the late 1860s through the 1870s.
Scattergun Sidekicks Reunite
- Published May 24, 2011
- Written by Phil Spangenberger
As the stagecoach gently rumbled through the soft dirt, I cradled my sawed-off scattergun, ready for trouble.
