The Gun That Won the West


The Gun That Won the West is a 1955 American Western film directed by William Castle and starring Dennis Morgan.

Plot

Colonel Carrington and his command are assigned the job of constructing a chain of forts in the Sioux Indian territory of Wyoming during the 1880s. The Colonel recruits former cavalry soldiers turned frontier scouts Jim Bridger and "Dakota Jack" Gaines, now running a Wild West show, to head the fort building.
Bridger and Gaines are friendly with Sioux chief Red Cloud but have reservations about the chief's 2nd in command, Afraid of Horses. Both Bridger and Gaines are confident a peace treaty with the Sioux can be made. However, if war breaks out, the cavalry is depending on getting a new type of breech loading Springfield Model 1865 rifle. Gaines, Mrs. Gaines, and Bridger arrive at the fort for the conference. Gaines gets drunk and attempts to intimidate the Indians into signing a treaty. Chief Red Fox threatens war if his territory is invaded by any troops building forts.

Cast

The film features a large amount of stock footage from Buffalo Bill.