Hatfield and McCoy guns are on display in Pigeon Forge
By Michael Williams

Descendants of the infamous Hatfield and McCoy families were on hand Sept. 25th at the popular Pigeon Forge Dinner Theater that bears their name, to formally put on display two guns significant to the famous feuding families.

This pistol was one that was carried in the coat pocket of Devil Anse Hatfield the patriarch of the notorious Hatfield clan who waged a family feud with the McCoy family.

One of the guns is a pistol that belonged to Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield which he carried in his front coat pocket. The other firearm is a 150 year-old commemorative Henry Repeating rifle.

The two firearms are on loan and will be on display at the Hatfield and McCoys Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge for one year.

The true story of the Hatfield and McCoy feud spanned several decades and was one of the longest and most infamous family feuds in history. The roots of the infamous war between the two families began during the Civil War. A historic truce was signed between the two families in 2003 on national television, although the actual fighting had been over for a long time.

"Devil Anse" Hatfield was one of the patriarchs of the infamous Hatfield and McCoy feud. His great-great-great-granddaughter, Judy Hatfield as well as his great-great-great, grandsons, Reo and Jack Hatfield, were on hand to present the weapons to the theater. Ron McCoy, great-great-great-grandson of Randolph McCoy, patriarch of the McCoy clan, was also in attendance. Reo's wife, Roxanne Hatfield, and Jack's partner, Miguel Castillo-Diaz were in attendance as well. "I cannot tell you how proud we are to have these weapons on display in our lobby," said Jim Hedrick, sr. vice president of Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment and co-owner of The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud. "We are going to carry on the history, the heritage and the peace of the Hatfield and McCoys."

The pistol and rifle belonged to the families of the Hatfields and McCoys. The two weapons are now on display at the Pigeon Forge theater that bears their names.

Kimball Keller, general manager and producer of The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud said, "While the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud is not associated with the two actual families or the former feud, the dinner show keeps the family names alive as we entertain thousands of guests a year. We are pleased that the two formerly feuding families met in peace at our theater to continue their legacy and present these guns to our show."

The firearms will be on display in a locked alarmed case in the gift store at The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud. Historians do not think that "Devil Anse" shot anyone with either of these weapons and they are valued at over $50,000.

The pistol, approximately 6 inches by 4 inches (smaller than a man's hand), was sent to Reo Hatfield by a member of The West Virginia House and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The two-family feud inspired Legacy Firearms to create the Hatfield and McCoy rifle which commemorates the long-lasting quarrel between the two families. Etched into the finish of the wood is a timeline of events between the two feuding clans and engraved signatures from both Hatfield and McCoy family members. The "Henry Repeater Rifle" is hand carved and very ornate with wood and gold engraving and depicts both families, one family per side as a tribute. The rifle is approximately 45 inches x 6 inches. The theater received a certificate of authenticity for this limited-edition item that was purchased by Judy Hatfield. Only 150 were made, making this a rare artifact of interest to gun collectors and history buffs.

Ron McCoy said, "We don't deny our history but we learn from it and we celebrate it. It is always a privilege to have the opportunity to share our family history."

Reo Hatfield said, "If the Hatfield and McCoys can make peace happen so can everyone else in the world. Sometimes you have to fight, but you don't have to fight forever. We need to treat everyone with respect and we will continue that for a lifetime. Both families are now of one unity and one nationality."

Hedrick said, "The only fussin' and fuedin' going on between the Hatfields and McCoys now is at our dinner show and it is all in good fun. We want everyone to come and have a good time and see a great show.”

The "Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud” is a comedy featuring a four course meal and depicts the two rowdy clans who wage battle on the in a two-hour live show that offers loads of laughs including a battle at a barn dance, extraordinary country, bluegrass, and gospel vocal and instrumental musical performances, and award winning hillbilly musicians, divers and cloggers. After three years of undergoing a $3 million renovation to the stage area, the theater added a 24-foot-deep Olympic diving pool with 300,000 gallons of water this year. It is the only stage of its kind in the Smoky Mountains, and it made possible the addition of high-diving hillbillies and long-jumping canines.

For more information about the show, call 865-908-7469 or visit hatfieldmccoydinnerfeud.com.

Published October 7, 2018