Fifteen Western Tales was a pulp magazine published by Popular Publications, first appearing in 1931 and running until 1951. The “fifteen” in its title referred to the promise of fifteen complete western stories in every issue, a marketing hook that gave readers a sense of value for their dime.
Like other Popular Publications titles, Fifteen Western Tales was a classic hard-riding, gun-blazing pulp, delivering action-driven tales filled with cowboys, outlaws, sheriffs, and frontier justice. It was never aimed at highbrow readers but instead at working-class audiences who wanted fast-paced entertainment rooted in the mythic American West.
Over its two-decade run, Fifteen Western Tales became one of the more reliable entries in the western pulp field, which at the time was one of the most dominant genres in pulp publishing. Its covers, often featuring dramatic shootouts, stagecoach chases, or rugged heroes rescuing imperiled heroines, were designed to grab attention on crowded newsstands.
The magazine published contributions from both veteran western pulp writers and journeyman authors trying to break into the field, helping maintain the constant demand for new frontier tales. While the western pulp boom faded in the 1950s with the rise of television and paperback westerns, Fifteen Western Tales remains a representative example of the mass-market western magazine, remembered for its blend of affordability, abundance, and consistent cowboy action.
Here’s a Top 5 list of standout tales from Fifteen Western Stories:
1. “Gun-Smoke Justice” — Walt Coburn (Fifteen Western Stories, Feb. 1934)
Coburn was one of the most popular western writers of the pulp era, known for his gritty, authentic cowboy stories. This tale exemplifies his ability to blend action with a genuine feel for ranch life, setting a high standard for the magazine.
2. “The Last Badge” — T.T. Flynn (Fifteen Western Stories, Aug. 1935)
Flynn, a frequent contributor, often explored themes of honor and redemption. In this story, a lawman’s fading career collides with a violent outlaw gang, creating a classic “one last stand” narrative that resonated with readers.
3. “Guns at Sundown” — L.L. Foreman (Fifteen Western Stories, Dec. 1937)
Foreman’s work was known for tight plotting and high tension. This story of feuding cattlemen and a drifting gunfighter helped cement the magazine’s reputation for delivering reliable frontier action.
4. “Ride Back from Hell’s Canyon” — Tom Roan (Fifteen Western Stories, July 1940)
A hard-edged adventure with a survival twist, this Roan tale stood out for its dramatic setting and relentless pace. It’s often remembered as one of the magazine’s more visceral frontier thrillers.
5. “Six-Gun Law” — Oscar Schisgall (Fifteen Western Stories, Jan. 1943)
Schisgall, who also wrote mystery and adventure fiction, brought a fast-paced, cinematic flair to his westerns. This tale of frontier justice and vengeance made for a particularly striking wartime issue when western pulps competed with other genres for attention.
