Short answer: No reliable historical evidence shows that Wild Bill Hickok ever wore earrings.
But the question opens the door to a fascinating look at who did wear earrings in the 1800s, why some men wore them, and what earrings symbolized in the era of the American frontier.

Let’s dig into the history.

👂 Earrings in the 1870s: Who Wore Them and Why

When people picture the Old West, they often imagine rugged cowboys, gamblers, and scouts with flamboyant styles. But earrings were not common among frontier men in the 1870s. They were overwhelmingly associated with women—though there were a few exceptions.

✔️ Women and Earrings

By the 1870s, earrings were a standard part of women’s fashion in both cities and frontier towns. Styles included:

Drop earrings
Pearl studs
Gold hoops
Gemstone dangles
Cameo earrings

Women wore earrings for:

Fashion
Social status
Courtship and beauty standards
Cultural expectations of femininity

Even in rough frontier settlements, women often owned at least one pair of earrings—sometimes their only piece of fine jewelry.

✔️ Did Men Wear Earrings in the 1870s?

A small number of men did, but not typically cowboys or gunfighters.

Men who wore earrings in the 19th century tended to be:

Sailors
Pirates (earlier centuries)
Romani men
Certain European cultural groups
Some Native American tribes

In these contexts, earrings could symbolize:

Rank
Tribal identity
Spiritual protection
A rite of passage
A sailor’s superstition (e.g., wearing gold earrings to pay for burial if they died at sea)

But in the American West, earrings on men were rare and often viewed as unusual.

🎩 Did Wild Bill Hickok Wear Earrings?

✔️ No historical photos show him wearing earrings.

Wild Bill was photographed many times—more than most frontier figures—and his style is well documented:

Long hair
Mustache
Tailored coats
Silk vests
Embroidered shirts
Sometimes a cravat or scarf

But never earrings.

✔️ No written accounts mention him wearing earrings.

Biographers, newspapers, and eyewitnesses described his flamboyant clothing, but none mention jewelry in his ears.

✔️ His personality doesn’t match the trend.

Wild Bill liked to stand out, but he did so through:

Fashionable Eastern-style clothing
His hair
His pistols
His reputation

Earrings simply weren’t part of his image.

💰 Were Earrings Only for the Rich?

Not at all.

Rich women

Owned:

Gold earrings
Diamonds
Pearls
Imported European jewelry

Working-class women

Often wore:

Brass
Glass beads
Silver
Plated metals
Handmade pieces

Even frontier women could afford simple earrings, and many received them as:

Wedding gifts
Family heirlooms
Keepsakes brought west from their hometowns

Earrings were one of the few pieces of jewelry that survived the rough journey west.

🛍️ Where Did Women Buy Earrings in the 1870s?

Women in the 1870s had several options depending on where they lived.

1. Jewelers in larger towns

Cities like St. Louis, Chicago, and San Francisco had established jewelry shops.

2. General stores

Frontier general stores often carried:

Glass earrings
Silver hoops
Plated jewelry
Trade beads

3. Traveling merchants

Peddlers sold inexpensive jewelry from wagons.

4. Catalogs

By the late 19th century, mail-order catalogs (like Montgomery Ward) offered affordable jewelry shipped by rail.

5. Native American artisans

In some regions, women purchased:

Silver earrings
Turquoise pieces
Beaded jewelry

These were especially common in the Southwest.

🧵 What Were Earrings Made Of in the 1870s?

Materials varied widely:

Social Class	Common Materials
Wealthy	Gold, diamonds, pearls, emeralds, rubies
Middle Class	Gold‑filled, silver, glass gemstones
Working Class	Brass, copper, tin, glass beads
Frontier/Trade	Silver, turquoise, bone, shell

Even inexpensive earrings were cherished possessions.

🏹 Final Verdict: Did Wild Bill Wear Earrings?

Here’s the clear breakdown:

✔️ Did Wild Bill wear earrings?

No evidence suggests he ever did.

✔️ Did men wear earrings in the 1870s?

A few did—mostly sailors, certain cultural groups, and some Native American men—but it was not common among cowboys or gunfighters.

✔️ Did women wear earrings?

Yes, earrings were extremely common and part of everyday fashion.

✔️ Were earrings only for the rich?

No. Women of all classes wore them, though materials varied.

✔️ Where did women buy earrings?

Jewelers, general stores, traveling merchants, catalogs, and Native artisans.

✔️ What were earrings made of?

Everything from gold and pearls to brass, glass, and silver.

I’m Jeff and I am a big fan of Wild Bill. If you liked this article and are looking for some nice earrings, here is a page of some nice ones:

Earrings

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💎 Did Wild Bill Wear Earrings? The Truth Behind Frontier Fashion