The Truth About Gunfights in the Old West

‘High Noon’

Neatorama gives us an article about the historical meme:  The Old West Gunfight

As we take interest in this blog of American History and firearms, it seemed like as good an article as any to me.

An excerpt:

In 1865, in one of the few actual documented gunfights (with evidence and valid testimony), James Butler Hickok (“Wild Bill” Hickok) had a bad quarrel with Davis Tutt in Springfield, Missouri. The fight was over a debt. At around 6PM, the two advanced on each other in the town square. The men drew guns at a distance of around 50 yards and blasted away. (emphasis Guffaw)

Tutt missed. Wild Bill didn’t. Tutt fell with a bullet through his heart.

Hickok was tried for manslaughter and acquitted. A sensational account of the gunfight appeared in Harper’s magazine in 1867. This account made Hickok a national celebrity. This fairly “Hollywood” gunfight, although it did occur, was a rarity. The 50 yard distance was questioned by skeptics, but was verified by several onlookers.

Hardly the equivalent of the modern day – arm’s length gunfight.  Go and read the whole thing at the above link.

h/t Miss Cellania