The six-shooter, or Colt revolver, was the weapon of choice in the Old West. In 1836, Samuel Colt began manufacturing revolvers with an innovative cocking device. When you pulled the hammer to cock the trigger, the cylinder rotated and locked into position. This simplified the process and made shooting more accurate. “Fanning” (slapping the hammer while holding the trigger back) could be used to provide rapid fire. The Colt was, in fact, the first practical revolver. Originally, the revolver used a percussion cap, gun-powder, and balls. By the 1850s, bullets began to be used.
Two main categories of men in the West used guns on a regular basis: outlaws (those who broke the laws) and “in”laws (those who kept them). Many of the myths and stories about the Wild West focus on the lawmen vs. the bandits. In the frontier, society was not extremely organized, and consequently, neither was the justice system. With little social stability and plenty of open land for criminals to disappear into, controlling crime was difficult at best. Many vigilantes took the law into their own hands through posses, lynching, and banishment. Duels to settle individual differences were also common.
Now, take a look at some:
- Jesse James
- Billy the Kid
- Sam Bass
- Wyatt Earp & the OK Carral
- Bat Masterson
- Pat Garrett