Wild West Rifles
Many rifles sold as frontier guns turn out to be later sporting models, commemorative editions or modern replicas with a convincing finish. For a collector looking for genuine Wild West rifles, that means checking every model number, calibre and marking before a listing can be trusted. Wild West Treasures buys all its Wild West arms and accessories itself at arms fairs in the United States and Europe, and describes each piece with its model, period and condition.
Discover the revolvers and other Wild West arms
Which rifles were used in the Wild West?
The best-known Wild West rifles were lever-action repeaters and powerful single-shot breech-loaders, each built for a different job. Settlers, lawmen and cowboys favoured fast repeaters, while hunters and soldiers relied on long-range accuracy. These are the rifles that defined the era:
- Winchester 1866 and 1873. The brass-framed 1866 “Yellow Boy” and the 1873 in .44-40 are the classic lever actions, found in the Winchester rifles section.
- Sharps 1874. The heavy single-shot rifle of the buffalo hunters, alongside other Sharps rifles and carbines.
- Remington Rolling Block. A strong single-shot action that sold in large numbers to hunters and armies alike.
- Marlin and Ballard. Marlin‘s lever actions and the accurate Ballard single-shots, grouped under Marlin and Ballard rifles and pistols.
Several of these Wild West rifles grew out of designs that first saw service in the Civil War, such as the Spencer and Sharps carbines. That links them directly to the Civil War collectibles for sale.
Wild West arms beyond the rifle
Wild West rifles were only part of the story, because most people on the frontier also carried a revolver. The handguns among the Wild West arms in the collection include the Colt revolvers that became symbols of the era, the top-break Smith & Wesson revolvers adopted by the US Army and the sturdy Remington revolvers of the 1870s. Together, these Wild West arms show how quickly firearms developed between the end of the Civil War and the close of the 19th century. For collectors who want to see that development in a broader context, the range of historic arms adds earlier and European pieces, while the antique arms dealer overview explains what counts as antique and how buying works. Every one of these Wild West rifles and handguns is part of the complete catalogue of antique arms, which is updated daily with new Wild West arms.
Wild West memorabilia
Beyond firearms, Wild West memorabilia brings the daily life of the frontier closer, from the tools used to cast bullets to buckles and accoutrements. Many collectors combine their arms with this kind of Wild West memorabilia, which gives a rifle or revolver its full historical setting. The catalogue groups its Wild West memorabilia in several categories:
Get in touch about your next frontier piece
A Winchester or Sharps often looks even better with a piece of Wild West memorabilia beside it. Contact us about any item and you will receive a personal reply on its condition, markings and availability. Because new Wild West arms and Wild West memorabilia arrive after every fair, the wider collection of frontier firearms and collectibles keeps growing.
