A Comparative Study of the Role of Firearms in American Western Heritage through Their Use on the Historic U-Lazy-S Ranch, Western Texas

The concept of cowboys in the Wild West using firearms has become a big part of what is considered American western heritage. This thesis examines the use of firearms by Anglo-Americans from 1876-1950 on the historic U-Lazy-S Ranch located along the eastern escarpment of the Llano Estacado in northwest Texas. The ranch provides a unique perspective on the Anglo-American settlement of northwest Texas because of its continuous record of settlement through the entirety of the research time period. Examining the archaeological evidence of firearm cartridges documented on the ranch and the modern heritage interpretations of the Wild West time period, the research question posed: is firearm usage in the historic settlement period of northwest Texas different from or similar to the constructed heritage of a “Wild West”? Examination of established western heritage literature was used to create a comparative understanding of the constructed Wild West narrative. The minimum number of firearms was then determined through the analysis of firing pin impressions and types of cartridges at each locality, this was then used to determine the use of firearms in the lives of Anglo-Americans. It was determined through the firearm evidence associated with each of the historic ranch’s occupational periods and the established western heritage literature that there was a definite trend and recognizable shift in the behavior and usage of firearms during the occupation period that was considered the Wild West.

Embargo status: Restricted to TTU community only. To view, login with your eRaider (top right). Others may request the author grant access exception by clicking on the PDF link to the left.