One hundred and eighty years ago, Samuel Colt’s revolutionary handgun broke trail for the Lone Star State and has been associated with Texas ever...
Texas and the Paterson Colt
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Shooting from the Hip
The 1873 Trapdoor Springfield—One Model, Many Changes
Despite the prominence of repeating rifles of the late 19th century, the U.S. Cavalry largely relied on this single-shot carbine to bring an end to...
Remington’s New Model Army Revolver
Rugged and accurate, this six-shooter was a mainstay of the Civil War and the American Frontier during the cap-and-ball era. What today’s firearms...
Colt Cylinder Scenes: History or Promotion?
More than just decoration, these roller-die-engravings were shrewdly added by Sam Colt to his revolvers to boost sales. Colonel Samuel Colt...
All Tacked Up
Using brass or iron furniture tacks was one of American Indians’ favorite ways of dressing up their firearms. Decorations on firearms and...
Winchester’s 1876 Mountie Carbine
When it was introduced at Philadelphia’s Centennial Exposition of 1876, Winchester’s Centennial Model was the largest and the most powerful...
Caplock Rivals
Two open-top and solid-frame designs reigned supreme in the age of percussion revolvers, and each type had its advantages and drawbacks. ...
My Top Ten Favorite Movie Moments
True West’s Firearms Editor applauds authenticity. Western movies are made for entertainment, and we must consider them strictly as such, and not as...
Best of the West 2022: Firearms
Old West Classics Remain Popular Timeless frontier six-guns, rifles and scatterguns lead the list for this year’s top guns. While the...
Best of the West 2022: True Westerner of the Year
Riding - and Writing - for the Brand! Phil Spangenberger If you have ever spoken to Phil Spangenberger about the Old West, historical firearms,...
Arrows: Pointed Death
The Indians’ ammunition grew on trees. An arrow, the deadly projectile propelled from a bow, could arguably be called the Indians’ “bullet.”...
The 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle
This handsomely rugged 1840s muzzleloader was prized by frontiersmen and military riflemen alike and helped phase out the smoothbore musket. ...