4 Wild West Firearms Every Gun Collector Should Consider on GunBroker.com

For collectors anxious to get their hands on a piece of Wild West history, one of the first places to start looking is the guns used to “tame” it. From Colt to Winchester, Remington, and Sharps, some gun manufacturers are synonymous with western expansion, whether from their association with famous gunslingers or their use in great battles across the plains. That being said, ask any serious gun enthusiast, and you’ll often get several different answers as to which gun “won the West.” The truth is, many firearms helped make the American west so iconic, each earning their own place in this unpredictable time in history. For those hoping to buy historical guns online, here are four of the most popular Wild West firearms worth looking for on GunBroker.com.

Winchester Model 1866 Rifle

Often dubbed the “improved Henry” following the American Civil War and “the Yellowboy” by Native Americans, the Winchester 1866 lever-action rifle is a brass-framed, 44 caliber rimfire that was coveted for its repeating rifle qualities and its distinctive gold plating. Carried by Texas Rangers, Army Scouts, hunters, and more, the Winchester 1866 remains one of the most popular antique firearms researched by collectors.

Colt 1873 Single Action Army

Arguably one of the most recognizable guns in the world, the Colt 1873 Single Action Army was the hands-down favorite handgun of the American frontier. Often referred to as “the Peacemaker,” it’s widely considered to be the most ergonomically balanced sidearm of its time.

While it was originally designed as a sidearm for cavalrymen, it quickly became the firearm of choice for cowboys, lawmen, and outdoorsmen of all kinds, with chamberings ranging from 45 Colt to 44-40 and 38-40. For handgun collectors looking for Wild West guns for sale, the Colt 1873 Single Action Army remains a popular gun you can find among the user listings on GunBroker.com.

1874 Sharps Rifle

Commonly referred to as “the buffalo rifle,” the 1874 Sharps is a powerful single-action rifle credited for shooting more buffalo than any other gun during the peak hunting period from 1867 to 1882. Capable of firing 40, 45, and 50 caliber ammo with different barrel lengths and weights, some models were known to be as heavy as 25 pounds.

By all accounts, the 1874 Sharps was the standard by which all other rifles were measured in the Old West, considered an iconic piece for any enthusiast looking to add more historical guns to their collection.

Double-Barreled Shotgun – an extremely effective crowd-tamer of the Wild West Firearms

As one of the most versatile guns for hunting and self-defense in the Wild West, the classic double-barreled shotgun remained a favorite for settlers, lawmen, soldiers, and more for years to come. Affectionately dubbed “the ol’ side-by-side,” it was an extremely effective crowd-tamer, due in large part to the appearance of a shotgun having such a persuasive effect on large crowds looking to cause trouble.

Those who favored the double-barreled shotgun tended to load one shot for game and the other with a slug for self-defense, solidifying the double-barrel shotgun’s reputation as an iconic workhorse of the Wild West. While there are many models still in circulation today, the 1878 Double Barrel remains one of the most popular models for collectors and enthusiasts around the world.

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