Blackswan
Agent
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2024
- Messages
- 49
- Real Name
- Daniel King
This is essentially a repost of a post I made on my own forum Alabamafreetoair.net. (No moderators, this is not a cross promotion. My forum has been dead for nearly twenty years).
The Tricks and Gimmicks of the TV Western Heroes :
During the golden age of the television western, many of the “good guys” had some special gimmick or trick to give them an extra edge over the “bad guys “. These could be in the form of a special gun, or it could be a trick accessory, or it could be a hidden weapon. I have composed a list of some of these below. Feel free to add any I might have missed.
The Lone Ranger-John Reid used silver bullets in his guns for better accuracy. He also was a master of disguise.
The Rifleman-Lucas McCain used a custom Winchester with an expanded cocking loop similar to the rifles John Wayne used in several movies. It also had a screw in the loop to trip the trigger when the loop closed
The Restless Gun-Vint Bonner’s six gun had a detachable barrel extension and stock that turned it into a rifle.
Wanted Dead or Alive-Who could forget Josh Randall’s “Mare’s Leg” cut down Winchester with a quick release holster.
Johnny Ringo-Johnny carried a custom revolver that fired six regular bullets and one shotgun shell. (Note: gun was actually a rare Confederate LeMatte revolver from Dick Powell’s private collection)
Shotgun Slade-Slade carried a custom over under shotgun/rifle combo
Wyatt Earp-carried a custom 12 inch Colt SAA. The longer barrel gave him better long range accuracy and doubled as a nightstick
The Rebel-Johnny Yuma carried a chopped double barrel shotgun that could be carried in a holster
Yancy Derringer-Yancy often had hideout guns, most particularly, a nickel plated four barrel Sharps derringer in his hat, and a sword cane. Also, Pahoo had a cut down shotgun under his blanket .
Bat Masterson-Bat wielded a gold tipped walking stick with a concealed sword
Adventures of Jim Bowie-His “Bowie knife” was forged from a special metal from a meteorite, harder than any earthly steel.
Have Gun, Will Travel-Paladin had a custom gun and holster, but he also had another hidden weapon. He carried a Remington double barrel derringer behind his belt buckle.
Wild Wild West-Where do I start? Let’s see, a sleeve derringer. A pistol that could fire anchor darts, a disassembled derringer in his boot heel, concealed knife in boot toe, explosive belt buckle and more. Artie was a master of disguise and weapon improvisation.
Holtel-De Paree-Sundance had a custom hat band with large silver conchos that were polished to a mirror finish he could use to temporarily blind an opponent.
In the TV western, as in all other television shows of that era, Justice always triumphed over evil, even if the good guys sometimes had to cheat.
B.S.
The Tricks and Gimmicks of the TV Western Heroes :
During the golden age of the television western, many of the “good guys” had some special gimmick or trick to give them an extra edge over the “bad guys “. These could be in the form of a special gun, or it could be a trick accessory, or it could be a hidden weapon. I have composed a list of some of these below. Feel free to add any I might have missed.
The Lone Ranger-John Reid used silver bullets in his guns for better accuracy. He also was a master of disguise.
The Rifleman-Lucas McCain used a custom Winchester with an expanded cocking loop similar to the rifles John Wayne used in several movies. It also had a screw in the loop to trip the trigger when the loop closed
The Restless Gun-Vint Bonner’s six gun had a detachable barrel extension and stock that turned it into a rifle.
Wanted Dead or Alive-Who could forget Josh Randall’s “Mare’s Leg” cut down Winchester with a quick release holster.
Johnny Ringo-Johnny carried a custom revolver that fired six regular bullets and one shotgun shell. (Note: gun was actually a rare Confederate LeMatte revolver from Dick Powell’s private collection)
Shotgun Slade-Slade carried a custom over under shotgun/rifle combo
Wyatt Earp-carried a custom 12 inch Colt SAA. The longer barrel gave him better long range accuracy and doubled as a nightstick
The Rebel-Johnny Yuma carried a chopped double barrel shotgun that could be carried in a holster
Yancy Derringer-Yancy often had hideout guns, most particularly, a nickel plated four barrel Sharps derringer in his hat, and a sword cane. Also, Pahoo had a cut down shotgun under his blanket .
Bat Masterson-Bat wielded a gold tipped walking stick with a concealed sword
Adventures of Jim Bowie-His “Bowie knife” was forged from a special metal from a meteorite, harder than any earthly steel.
Have Gun, Will Travel-Paladin had a custom gun and holster, but he also had another hidden weapon. He carried a Remington double barrel derringer behind his belt buckle.
Wild Wild West-Where do I start? Let’s see, a sleeve derringer. A pistol that could fire anchor darts, a disassembled derringer in his boot heel, concealed knife in boot toe, explosive belt buckle and more. Artie was a master of disguise and weapon improvisation.
Holtel-De Paree-Sundance had a custom hat band with large silver conchos that were polished to a mirror finish he could use to temporarily blind an opponent.
In the TV western, as in all other television shows of that era, Justice always triumphed over evil, even if the good guys sometimes had to cheat.
B.S.
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