The wild west history-of-guns will give you insight into the pastIn my research of the wild west history-of-guns. I found that everyone had access to a gun and was taught how to use it, unlike today. This gun knowledge was a very important aspect of the old west, It made the difference between life and death in all areas of life.
This Smith & Wesson Single Action Army Colt hand gun has more association with the old west than any other gun. The 45 colt was given the name The Peace Maker and the name is still used today. The balance and accuracy of the 45 colt made it a favorite among gun fighters like John Wesley Harden and James Hickock it became their primary hand gun. The 45 colt was also a favorite hand gun of many outlaws like Jesse James, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid and many more in the history-of-guns. 
The photo above lacks the nickel plate and pearl grips that adorned the original Single Action Amy Colt(SAA).The photo on the right shows the design if the original Single Action Amy colt. 
The photo on the right is of Ralph Hooker one the last old time lawmen. His S&W gun collection included (starting at the top) a 45 Colt with a double-action with a 7.5 barrel. A holstered colt .38(right) was the official lawman's hand gun. A single-action top-break Colt (middle) likely in a .38. A single-action Colt (left) in a .32-20. Even today both the Colts and Colt replicas are still being produced. You can purchase these hand guns at any local gun dealer or order on-line, which ever you prefer.
In the wild west history-of-guns, the marlin was the first strongest, most powerful, most expensive and most superior repeating
rifle
of its day. The marlin was the first lever-action repeater rifle capable of firing a powerful .45-70 round.This rifle became the most popular used gun in the frontier. 
The photo on the right shows the lever-action workings of the Marlin rifle.Legend has it that the Marlin rifle's was the simplest to operate but yet the action was the strongest that could be made at that time. Some Marlin gun owners today still believe this holds true.
Above is a photo of the first Marlin repeater rifle. It had a 28" octagon barrel. The gun was able to shoot a .45-70 round with a 405 or 500-grain bullet, or .45-85 with a 285-grain slug. The Marlin company's ads boated that all ten rounds could be fired in six to seven seconds. In actual testing the rounds were fired off in less the five seconds. 
The Sharps long range
rifle
on the left was converted from flintlock to percussion. This improved the long range capability of the rifle.In the wild west history-of-guns, the Sharps rifle became a popular buffalo rifle because the buffalo hunter could shoot and kill the animal from a long range. Later in the history of this Sharps rifle, the buffalo hunter found out that if they cut off the barrel of the gun it was very accurate up close which allowed the hunter to ride along side the herd of buffalo and become most successful when hunting them. 
Another gun the was very popular with wealth family in the early 1900-s was the breech-loader shotgun.As you can see by the photo children were taught young how to use a gun and were allowed to hunt without a parent around. This leniency help the families became more self reliant. Unlike today, children must be 12 year of age and have past an National rifle association class to used any gun.
This hand gun was a U.S. Arms Company .22 revolver. It was ornamented with mother of peal hand grips and fancy engraving.In the old west towns, this type of gun was given to a saloon girl by her favorite customer for her protection. The .22 revolver was most often found in the room of a saloon madame and if fees were not pay promptly this gun was used to ensure the payment was made. Further out on the fronter, there were less single women available so the men guarded their wifes and daughter by giving the them .22 handgun to protect themselves. As you can see the wild west history-of-guns is full of well designed guns that are still available today. Its just a matter of finding the one that you desire. The wild west history-of-guns will give you insight into the past top of page
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