In the world of army sidearms, a ton of development has helped this firearm go from somewhat reliable to deadly every time. This era began during the Wild West when the revolver took on a life of its own and was popularized by names like Billy the Kid. As a result, this weapon became one of the best-known weapons in the history of the US Army.
Changing Technology
American firearms during the Wild West saw a few notable innovations. We’d be remiss not to mention the revolver, the first repeating sidearm ever made. However, a special note needs to go to metallic casings. These enabled faster reloads, especially compared to the old ball and cap of percussion revolvers.
Sharps Model 1853 Rifle
The Sharps Rifle is one of the most iconic Wild West-era guns, and for good reason. It saw use in the American Civil War and the various conflicts with Native Americans and was the weapon of choice for buffalo hunters on the frontier. The accuracy and power of the rifle made it noteworthy, the perfect companion for the marksman of the American West.
Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver
Samuel Colt revolutionized firearms overnight with his invention of the 1836 Patterson revolver. The 1851 Navy was further refined and developed to meet the needs of American servicemen. What made it one of the most iconic Wild West-era guns is that it was the pistol of choice for Wild Bill Hickok. A notorious gunfighter and card
Remington Army Revolver
Remington is one of the oldest firearm companies in the United States. Their Army pattern revolver was stylistically similar to Colt’s lauded Army and Navy models. However, it never enjoyed quite the same level of popularity.
Remington Rolling Block Rifle
Versatility and accuracy were the name of the game when it came to the Remington Rolling Block rifle. One of these was made famous on the stage in the hands of William Cody, otherwise known as Buffalo Bill.
Smith & Wesson Schofield Revolver
Metallic cartridges changed the game when it came to firearms. Reloads became faster, meaning more firepower could be laid down in a shorter period. While Colt’s take on this was revolutionary, there is a reason the U.S. Army went with the Schofield.
Winchester Model 1873 Repeating Rifle
Few weapons are as noteworthy as this iconic Wild West-era gun. The Winchester Model 1873 wasn’t the most powerful rifle, but it brought rapid fire to the fray. Look no further when you’re looking for something that can put food on the table and fend off a bandit attack.
Winchester Model 1895 Repeating Rifle
Winchester earned a coup of sorts by recruiting one John Moses Browning. Browning is famous for many reasons, mostly for his standard method of operation for semi-automatic firearms. The Model 1895 Repeating Rifle is one of his earliest designs and makes for an iconic Wild West-era gun.
Spencer Repeating Carbine
You’re likely noticing a trend when looking at the most iconic Wild West-era guns. Repeating weapons started marking a shift in combat, with hints of the weapons we’d see in the World Wars. The Spencer Repeating Carbine superficially resembled the Sharps carbines that became so beloved during the American Civil War.
Springfield Model 1866 Trapdoor Rifle
The U.S. Army utilized Springfield Trapdoor rifles for several years, with some of the weapons even seeing service during the Spanish-American War. They were accurate and could put rounds down range reasonably quickly. However, while this is one of the most iconic Wild West-era guns, it paled compared to Spain’s bolt-action rifles.
Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Rounding out our list is arguably one of the most iconic Wild West-era guns ever made. Many names knew the Colt 1873 Single Action Army, but it was beloved for its easy handling, accuracy, and reliability. Interestingly, the U.S. Army did not adopt it, as that honor went to the Schofield. Colt would get the last laugh with their M1911 handgun, which became one of the longest-serving weapons in the American arsenal.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©falcon_33 / Flickr.
