Historical - Western

Old West / Wild West

The American Old West or Wild West comprises the history, geography, peoples, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States (i.e., anywhere west of the Mississippi River), most often referring to the period of the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century.

More encompassing and more accurate, however, is the inclusion of the entire 19th century and to the end of the Mexican Revolution in 1920.

Through treaties with foreign nations and native peoples, political compromise, technological innovation, military conquest,

establishment of law and order, and the great migrations of foreigners, the United States expanded from the to the coast (Atlantic Ocean-to-Pacific Ocean), fulfilling its belief in Manifest Destiny.

In securing and managing the West, the U.S. federal government greatly expanded its powers, as the nation grew from an agrarian society to an industrialized nation. First promoting settlement and exploitation of the land, by the end of the 19th century the federal government became a steward of the remaining open spaces. As the American Old West passed into history, the myths of the West took firm hold in the imagination of Americans and foreigners alike.

Western Reenacting

Most groups that concentrate on Western reenacting focus on the particular Gunslingers and Cowboys portraying characters of the 1800's Old West. The reenactment groups that exist for History life for all ages.

The reenactmets tend to follow a traditional staged Wild West show that was started by Buffalo Bill Cody who grabbed the opportunity to hop on his own bandwagon to promote his own legend as well as other Western stereotypes. He presented the first "Wild West Show" in 1883, creating a caricature of the Old West with skits and demonstrations by Indians and cowboys hired for the occasion. He offered feats of roping, marksmanship, and riding, including those of sure-shooting Annie Oakley. Cody took his show to Europe and was wildly received, further spreading the myth of the West to nations abroad.

In performances they use blank firing ammunition, knives, tomahawks, whips, all as part of theatrical wardrobe and character portrayal.

All in all, many are dedicated to preserving the historical heritage, the pioneer spirit, and cultures of the indigenous people and the Old West Legends with historical accuracy when portraying an actual event.

Cowboy Action Shooting

Also known as Western Action Shooting or Single Action Shooting, is a competitive shooting sport that originated in California, USA, in the early 1980s. Cowboy Action Shooting is now practiced world wide with several sanctioning organizations including the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), Western Action Shootists Association (WASA), and National Congress of Old West Shooters (NCOWS), as well as others in the USA and in other countries.

Competitors are required to wear an Old West costume of some sort. Depending on the standards of the sanctioning organization, clothing may be historically accurate for the late 1800s or may just be suggestive of the Old West. Some might even dress like a character in a western B-movie, such as Hopalong Cassidy or a television series like Gunsmoke.

Participants must also select an alias out of the Old West or having an Old West flair. Many shooters get creative in selecting an alias (such as the banker who shoots under the alias "The Loan Arranger") which is registered with the sanctioning body that will prohibit any other shooter from using that same alias at a sanctioned event. More...