<P> The image of two gunslingers with violent reputation squaring off in a street is nothing more than a Hollywood invention . However, face to face fast draw shootouts did occur in the real West . These duels were first recorded in the South, brought by emigrants to the American Frontier as a crude form of the "code duello," a highly formalized means of solving disputes between gentlemen with swords or guns that had its origins in European chivalry . By the second half of the 19th century, few Americans still fought duels to solve their problems, and became a thing of the past in the United States by the start of the 20th century . Writer Wyatt - Brown in his book "Southern Honor: Ethics and Behavior in the Old South" described dueling in the American frontier as a "custom", and was primarily used for teenage disputes, rise in ranking, status and scapegoating . </P> <P> The most famous and well - recorded duel occurred on 21 July 1865, in Springfield, Missouri . Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt quarreled over cards and decided to have a gunfight . They arranged to walk towards each other at 6 p.m. Wild Bill's armed presence caused the crowd to immediately scatter to the safety of nearby buildings, leaving Tutt alone in the northwestern corner of the square . When they were about 50 yards apart, both men drew their guns . The two fired at the same time, but Hickok's shot hit Tutt in the heart, while Tutt's shot missed . This was the first recorded example of two men taking part in a quick - draw duel . The following month Hickok was acquitted after pleading self - defense . The first story of the shootout was detailed in an article in Harper's Magazine in 1867, and became a staple of the gunslinger legend . </P> <P> The famous lawman Wyatt Earp gave an account of having participated a duel once during his vendetta . While in the South Pass of the Dragoon Mountains, Earp's posse found one of the outlaw cowboys named "Indian Charlie" Cruz . One account says that after the party recognized Cruz, they chased him down and a gunfight ensued . The party manage to capture Cruz and he confessed to have taken part in Morgan's murder, and that he identified Stilwell, Hank Swilling, Curly Bill and Johnny Ringo as other of Morgan's killers . During that time, Wyatt allowed Cruz to keep his revolver to "give him a chance to fight like a man ." After the confession, Wyatt told Cruz to draw, challenging him to a duel, and the posse counted to three before Wyatt gunned Cruz down . </P> <P> The Langford - Peel duel occurred on July 22, 1867 between gunmen John Bull and Langford Peel . </P>

Who was known to be the fastest gun in the west