Who was Shiff the Gunman—myth, merchant, or something in between? This article explores the life of Carroll Barrows Shiffer, known nationwide as “Shiff the Gunman,” a solitary, reclusive New Hampshire firearms dealer who carefully blurred the line between fact and legend and whose North Woodstock, New Hampshire, cabin became a destination for collectors across the country. Through letters, objects, and reputation, Shiffer built an authority that outlived him, reminding us that history is shaped not only by what is true, but by what endures, leaving behind a legacy that still surfaces in auctions and archives today.