Weapons of the West

As Americans moved westward during the 19th century, the need for a variety of weapons increased.

Whether a person was a hunter, lawman, con man, vigilante, or average citizen, it was often necessary to carry some form of protection.

Handguns, knives, rifles, and other weapons were used in both productive and destructive ways in the Wild West.

A common factor among weapons of the west was that they gave the bearer some degree of power and protection.

In a strange land where each day was often uncertain, it was important to have some assurance of security.

The weapons used to tame the old West gave many settlers that security.