Was it true in the real west, that when a man kills another, he doesn't take the valuables or gun, as on TV?

Question

The westen movies usually show the man killed to be left with his gun and valuables in tact or at least the taking is not shown on the screen.

Answer 1

Of course.  Everything you see on TV cowboy shows is absolutely historically accurate.  The good guys always wore white hats and rode white horses, and could shoot the gun out of the hand of the bad guy from 100 yards away on a galloping horse. The bad guys couldn't hit the side of a barn from inside.  The good guys horse was smarter than the average outlaw.  And even though there was no law enforcement in the high country, everybody lived by the "Cowboy Code".  How could you doubt it?

Answer 2

not always..thats just hollywood

God bless gene autry and tom mix  and roy rogers nonetheless

Answer 3

If no one was watching, I'm sure they took everything off of the dead guy... right down to his long johns.  People back then did not have  much money, and even if they did have a little something in their pocket, stores were not on every corner like they are now.

As in, I have $20 in my pocket and am wearing a pair of boots that are starting to wear through.  So, I  just shot this guy.  I could walk away and leave all his possessions on him, or I could steal his boots so I don't have to ride 2 days to the closest boot maker's shop.  Looks like I'm gonna roll the dead guy for his boots.  Why stop there?  I'll take his gun, hat, watch, and whatever else he has of value.

Answer 4

Sorry but your question seems to contradicts itself,

Was it true in the real west, that when a man kills another, he doesn't take the valuables or gun, as on TV?

This means the killer leaves the dead man's possessions but tv shows otherwise.

THEN

The westen movies usually show the man killed to be left with his gun and valuables in tact or at least the taking is not shown on the screen

This means in the movies the dead man's possessions are not taken, same thing, if they don't show it then it is because it did not happen