Wednesday, May 10, 2023

The real story of the Gunfight at the OK Corral

 

Dave Spaulding, author of "Handgun Combatives", is a well-known figure in the world of firearms instruction and practical shooting.  He's also a big fan of the Old West, both fictional and "factional", if I can put it like that.

Mr. Spaulding has published a three-article series on what really happened before and during the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881.  In order, they are:


Gunfight On Fremont Street: O.K. Corral Part 1

"Here They Come!": O.K. Corral Part 2

30 Rounds In 30 Seconds: O.K. Corral Part 3


They provide a lot more information than the "usual sources", and are obviously based upon years of research and background reading.  If the Old West interests you, I highly recommend these three articles.  You'll find them fascinating.

(Mr. Spaulding's book is also well worth reading.  Recommended.)

Peter


5 comments:

  1. Interesting reading. Thanks for linking.

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  2. Great articles, and yes, very well researched.

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  3. "History Detectives" or some similar show had an episode on the fight years ago. The one thing I remember is that they established how far Doc Holiday was from Tom McLaury by figuring out the distance needed for the shotgun pellets to spread to a the width of one hand. Interesting.

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  4. Good series. There were three types of holsters in 1881. A cavalry holster with a full top flap. The Slim Jim holster which could be configured for a traditional hip location, as a cross draw that made it easier to be drawn while on a horse, and as a shoulder holster. The Mexican Loop holster that rode high on the hip.

    A little more info. Smokeless powder was not invented until 3 years later. Any time a gun was fired the smoke needed to clear to be able to aim at the next target.

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