'The Old Yellow Slicker'...

[St. George]

The Old Yellow Slicker

How dear to my heart was that old yellow slicker,
   I carried 'way back in my cowpunchin' days;
'Twas stiff as a board, but I wasn't a kicker
   When it was a-rainin' an' me huntin' strays.
I carried it tied at the back of my saddle,
   All ready for blizzard or windstorm or rain,
An' 'twas my salvation when I had to straddle
   My bronc' an' lope out on the mud-spattered plain.
        That old yellow slicker,
        That spacious old slicker,
   I carried on many a round-up campaign!

That old yellow slicker! 'Twas big and 'twas roomy;
   It sure kept me dry when the rain trickled down;
I wore it on night-herd with skies black and gloomy,
   It covered me well from my feet to my crown.
No matter how sloppy or muddy or lowery;
   No matter how cold or unpleasant the storm,
No matter how blusterin', gusty or showery,
   That old yellow slicker I wore kept me warm!
        That ill-fittin' slicker,
        That fish-oil-soaked slicker,
   Its mission it never yet failed to perform.

That old yellow slicker which I have defended
   Hangs there in the bunkhouse agin the log wall;
Its mission's fulfilled, an' its range life is ended--
   No more do the herds on the cattle-trail call.
But sometimes I dream in the dim summer gloamin',
   An' there in the embers which flicker an' change,
I catch a faint glimpse of the herds that were roamin',
  An' think of that slicker I wore on the range.
        That battered old slicker,
        That old yellow slicker,
   A cattle-day relic I'll never exchange!

From 'Trail Dust of a Maverick', 1914 - E.A. Brininstool

That 'Old Yellow Slicker' is a most valuable piece of gear - and when you're creating any sort of Impression that deals with the trail-driving days, cowboying, or outdoor work - you need one...

Originals were soaked in an aromatic oil derived from fish - for the waterproofing/water repelling properties.

They also could be somewhat flammable...

Today - Wyoming traders makes a helluva nice example, and they're available at a couple of places:

'The Fort' - Lincoln, NE - 1-877-907-3678 X199 (toll-free) - ask for Terry Lane or Glen Carman

'Tonto Rim Trading Co.' - Seymour, IN - 1-800-242-HATS - (toll-free) ask for Denny Shewell

'River Junction Trade Co.' - 1-319-873-2387 - ask for Jim Boecke

I'm certain that there are more - but finding them is up to you.

When you're sizing - remember that you'll most likely be wearing extra clothing and order appropriately.

These are 'slickers' - the unlined Gore-Tex of the open range - and like that fine product, they're most definitely not warm unless you have something on underneath that helps the process (that's why God invented wool) - but they do ward off rain and wind admirably, and they enhance your Impression authentically.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

I might add the new ones use a computor matched for color acylic latex coating and are not near as flamable as the old ones.

[St. George]

Non-flammability is a positive thing - especially around the campfire...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Silver Creek Slim]

That's fer sure. 

Slim

[St. George]

I dual-posted this particular topic on the NCOWS Forum, and there's a question on 'unsticking' the slicker.

Use Cornstarch or an un-scented Talcum Powder, and completely dust the exterior.

The Army used this method as a 'fix' with the old Air Mattress - just put some cornstarch inside - fully-inflate - plug and shake thoroughly.

It kept the interior from adhering to itself, and gave the soldier an 'actual' inflatable mattress, as opposed to a flat rubber thing to sleep on top of.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

OK, I just got off the phone with the Ramrod at Wyoming Trade Company, (As Col. Potter said, love a man that answers his own phone.)  He said the new slickers they are making should not have a lot of trouble sticking together, but do try not to store them in a hot place.  Some of the older ones that were made before did have this problem a lot. They're blend of the acrylic latex should be a lot better than the older blends because they addressed this problem when researching before production.  He said the corn starch/talcum powder sounds like a good idea and he will add it to the care insturtions on the next production run.

OK I want some feed back and some help here, they are going to most likely go into the oil skin slickers buisness to compete with the Aussies.  What he is interested in is any information on making a "Period Correct" oil skin slicker, with of course buttons not snaps.  I'm going to do some searching as well as him, but does anyone have any information as to what they looked like and colors?  He said one styled after the Fish but oil skin would be very easy, but does need to know what color or colors

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Great post, Bob!

I want one of those slickers, Glen.

[Silver Creek Slim]

All he needs is a credit card #. 

Slim

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Yep ... that's aaalllll he needs, all right!   

[Alice]

I'd love to be able to wear a slicker, but even the small size is too big on me. Does anyone know if there's an extra small size available?

[St. George]

Try emailing Terry or Glen at The Fort - www.TerryLane@FortOutfitter.com - or even faster - call toll-free - 1-877-907-3678 - X199.

As you know - these things are made to be worn over range clothing and coats - so they run big.

Perhaps one of those two can order you something that'd work - I know they'll certainly try.

They are great for warding off rain and wind - but they're damned cold unless you've insulated yourself.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

Small is as small as they go right now, I will E-Mail the boss at Whyoming Tradders and suggest a XS, cross yer fingers.

[Alice]

Thanks folks. I know that 'dry' is better than 'chic', but I look like Uncle Fester in a Small size 

[Brian Why]

What's wrong with looking like Uncle Fester? I look like him no matter what I do.


...Must be that lightbulb thing...

[Judge Roy Bean]

A question was asked on the western site that Alice runs over here in the U,K. When was the yellow slicker invented & when was the word slicker first used.Is it older than 1881 as stated in See by your outfit ? your input would be helpful. Thanks.