Wyatt Earp, the legendary lawman of the Old West, has become a nearly mythical character in American history. His storied life, particularly his time in Tombstone, Arizona, has inspired countless portrayals in film and literature, with Kurt Russell‘s stylish depiction in the film Tombstone serving as perhaps the most iconic. Since Earp made a name for himself in the 1870s Kansas, his persona and the revolver he carried have both attained a legendary status, often embellished with details that blur the lines between fact and fiction.
The historical record surrounding Wyatt Earp’s life, especially details about his famed pistol, remains murky due to the passage of time and the sparse documentation typical of the Old West. While many accounts discuss Earp’s exploits following the tumultuous events depicted in Tombstone, none definitively trace the fate of his notorious firearm. The film represents this gun as a special Colt Buntline Special, an item purportedly engraved to honor his service in Dodge City, Kansas. However, given the uncertainties in Earp’s legacy, one must scrutinize the accuracy of such portrayals.
The Engraving on Wyatt Earp’s Gun: A Likely Fabrication
An Engaging Visual That Probably Never Existed
In the critically acclaimed Gunfight at the O.K. Corral scene, Earp was famously armed with a Colt Single Action Army revolver, which featured engravings of his name and the title “Peacemaker.”This portrayal aligns with details from Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal, authored by Stuart Lake. According to Lake, Earp received a customized Colt SAA pistol, crafted by Colt for writer Ned Buntline, who donated five such limited edition models to prominent lawmen, including Earp.
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Tombstone Key Details |
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Release Date |
Budget |
Box Office |
RT Tomatometer Score |
RT Popcornmeter Score |
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December 25th, 1993 |
$25 million |
$73.2 million |
74% |
93% |
Despite Lake’s assertions, skepticism arises regarding the specifics of Earp’s weaponry. He described Earp’s pistol as having a 12-inch barrel, a dimension not commonly available at the time. Furthermore, no records suggest Earp actually carried engraved weapons regularly. This raises doubts about the film’s depiction, suggesting the embellishment of Earp’s firearm may have solely been intended to enhance the dramatic impact of the narrative.
Uncertainty Surrounding Wyatt Earp’s Actual Firearm
Limited Evidence Regarding His Weapons
Compounding the intrigue surrounding Earp’s legend is the near absence of definitive evidence regarding the specific firearms he employed during his tenure as a lawman. While it is reasonable to believe he used a Colt. 45 SAA—given its popularity among gunmen of that era—its accuracy issues may have led him to opt for a more specialized weapon at times, possibly a Buntline Special.
In an auction held in 2014 in Arizona, several of Earp’s belongings were up for grabs, including a. 45 caliber revolver claimed by his descendants to have been used during his years in Tombstone. However, the exact model of the gun he brandished during the O.K. Corral gunfight remains open to speculation.
Considering the advances in firearm technology throughout his career, it seems plausible that Earp cycled through multiple firearms. This persistent ambiguity suggests that the engraved revolver depicted in Tombstone was likely an artistic invention rather than a reflection of historical truth.