Wyatt Earp’s Gun in Tombstone Is Likely Not Historically Accurate But Made The Movie Better

by

Opting for excessive historical precision isn’t always beneficial when it comes to Western movies, as evident in one of the genre’s finest productions, Tombstone. Despite striving for historical accuracy, many Western films often contain inaccuracies such as anachronistic clothing or weaponry, or depictions of the Wild West that don’t align with how people truly lived and behaved during that era. The portrayal of the American West in Hollywood movies from the late 1800s and early 1900s is often a highly romanticized version of reality, particularly for films that base their narratives on real individuals and events.

One well-known Western film, “Tombstone” from 1993, is based on real individuals and incidents, taking place in the town named after it in Arizona. The illustrious cast, featuring Kurt Russell and the late Val Kilmer, bring to life genuine frontier figures such as Wyatt Earp, a renowned lawman, and Doc Holiday, an unusual former dentist turned bounty hunter. The film portrays an account of the real-life violent confrontation at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, which occurred when Earp, Holiday, and their associates encountered a dangerous criminal group that was causing trouble in the town.

Wyatt Earp’s Gun In Tombstone May Not Be Historically Accurate

The Real-Life Lawman Most Likely Used A Different Weapon At The O.K. Corral

The movie “Tombstone” significantly alters certain aspects of the actual gunfight that made Tombstone famous, with one of the most noticeable distortions being the type of weapon carried by Wyatt Earp as portrayed by Kurt Russell. In reality, Earp used a standard Colt Single Action Army six-shooter, while in the film he is shown wielding a Colt Buntline Special, a variant of the Singe Action Army. Surprisingly, Earp can quickly draw this heavy weapon with remarkable speed, even though it has a lengthy one-foot barrel. This results in fast-moving .45 Long Colt bullets flying through enemies in the film.

Despite its impressive image, it’s improbable that this specific weapon was historically accurate for the events at the O.K. Corral as depicted. According to historian William B. Shillingberg in his article “Wyatt Earp and the Myth of the Buntline Special,” court records following the shootout confirm that Wyatt Earp carried an eight-inch .44 caliber 1869 American model Smith & Wesson during the fateful gunfight. Additionally, stories suggesting that Earp used the legendary Buntline Special are at best unclear.

Tombstone Made The Right Choice With Wyatt Earp’s Gun, Even If It Isn’t Totally Accurate

Doing Historical Homework Doesn’t Always Make For A Compelling Film

Although there’s little historical evidence to support it, the decision to depict Kurt Russell’s character, Wyatt Earp, brandishing the famous movie gun in “Tombstone” was artistically justified. The folklore surrounding Earp’s acquisition of the legendary revolver is too compelling not to acknowledge, with tales suggesting he received the custom-made pistol in 1878 as a result of his service in Dodge City. Notably, a detailed examination of the prop gun in “Tombstone” reveals intricate details and exquisite decoration on the grips, hinting at its prestigious heritage.

The concept of Wyatt Earp wielding a legendary but seemingly unsuitable weapon primarily stemmed from author Stuart Lake, who depicted it in his greatly embellished biography of Earp’s life, Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal. This portrayal transformed the actual lawman into a kind of mythical hero. The gun gained notoriety through popular visual representation in the iconic Western TV series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Consequently, the movie Tombstone felt compelled to incorporate this pistol into its armory, despite its questionable historical veracity.

While it’s important to maintain historical accuracy, there are times when adding some dramatic license can make a tale more captivating. In the case of “Tombstone”, focusing on Wyatt Earp’s charm and allure was a wise choice. Given Earp’s connection to that particular weapon in folklore, it would have been a lost chance for Kurt Russell not to aim the oversized 12″ barrel at the antagonists. The film’s success lies in its ability to subtly bend the truth a bit to create a more intriguing portrayal.

Read More

2025-06-03 19:37