1. Apache Revolver
This weapon is part gun, part knife, and 100% intimidating. Originating in Europe but favored by some in the West, the Apache revolver was a pocket pistol with a foldable blade and brass knuckles built into its design. While it wasn’t known for accuracy, it was perfect for up-close encounters, making it a favorite of gamblers and saloon toughs who wanted a weapon that could do it all.
2. Duck Foot Pistol
Imagine holding a small pistol with four barrels fanned out like a duck’s foot. This odd design allowed someone to shoot at multiple targets at once—ideal in a barroom brawl. It wasn’t great for precision, but if you wanted to send a message to a whole group of troublemakers, the Duck Foot pistol had you covered.
3. Pepperbox Revolver
Before revolvers with rotating cylinders became popular, there was the pepperbox—a multi-barreled gun that looked like something out of a steampunk fantasy. It was clunky and prone to misfires, but its ability to fire several shots in rapid succession made it an early favorite among those looking for firepower.
4. Harmonica Gun
Named for its resemblance to a harmonica, this firearm used a slide with multiple chambers that moved horizontally across the gun. It looked as strange as it sounded, but its unusual design allowed for quick loading. Although it never caught on widely, it’s a fascinating piece of Wild West ingenuity.
5. Sharpshooter Cane
Part weapon, part fashion accessory, the sharpshooter cane was a concealed firearm disguised as a walking stick. It was especially popular among gentlemen who wanted to defend themselves without carrying something obvious. These canes often doubled as tools for self-defense or as a sneaky way to surprise an attacker.
6. Bowie Knife
While the Bowie knife isn’t exactly obscure, many people don’t realize how versatile it was in the West. This massive blade wasn’t just for fighting—it was a hunting tool, a survival implement, and even a symbol of status. Some versions were so large they bordered on being small swords.
7. LeMat Revolver
The LeMat revolver was a nine-shot pistol with a surprise twist: it had a secondary barrel for firing a shotgun shell. This made it a two-in-one powerhouse, perfect for both close and long-range threats. While it was heavier and bulkier than most revolvers, its versatility made it a favorite for those who could afford it.
8. Pocket Derringer
Derringers were tiny pistols, perfect for slipping into a boot or pocket. They weren’t meant for firefights but were excellent for personal defense. Infamous gambler and gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok carried a Derringer, and it’s a weapon often associated with saloon confrontations and sneaky duels.
9. Whitworth Rifle
This rifle was a sniper’s dream in the era of muskets and smoothbores. Known for its exceptional accuracy thanks to its hexagonal rifling, the Whitworth rifle was used sparingly in the West. It wasn’t widely adopted due to its high cost, but sharpshooters who had one could pick off a target at impressive distances.
10. Volcanic Repeating Pistol
Before the famous Winchester, there was the Volcanic. It was an early lever-action firearm, capable of firing multiple rounds without reloading. While it was revolutionary in concept, its weak ammunition held it back. Still, it paved the way for some of the West’s most iconic guns.
11. Slungshot
The slungshot was a simple but brutal weapon—a weight attached to a flexible handle, often rope or leather. While more associated with sailors, it found its way into the West as a discreet and deadly weapon for self-defense or ambushes. It was small enough to hide but could deliver devastating blows.
12. Mountain Howitzer
Yes, the Wild West even had small cannons! The mountain howitzer was a lightweight artillery piece used by settlers and the military to defend against attacks or fortify positions. It might seem out of place in tales of gunslingers, but when a big threat loomed, this portable cannon was a game-changer.
