The American Frontier, more commonly referred to as the Wild West, was a relatively short period in United States history. It was a time of westward expansion, where Americans packed their covered wagons to relocate to new territories west of the Mississippi River. But because of lawlessness, it earned a reputation as wild and rough and also gave us some of the most iconic guns of the Wild West.
This period is a favorite topic of Hollywood fodder and has featured heavily in movies, from the early part of the 20th century to today, where images of heroic cowboys and villainous outlaws met to battle it out over a range of concerns, from land and property to water and revenge.
These movies may not be factual depictions of the actual Wild West – the era wasn't as violent as Hollywood has depicted – but they give us a glimpse into the real firearms used. (These are the 30 best Western films of all time.)
Here are the most iconic guns of the Wild West.
