Kirkpatrics leather

[Tommy tornado]

Great reply Slowhand Bob!!!!  I agree.

[St. George]

Again - reviewing 'Packing Iron' is a good idea.

The book shows the styles and the work of the better saddlers - and some of that work is amazing - but it wasn't likely a commonly-seen thing.

The holster and rig of the common cowboy was usually what he'd buy at the dry goods store - or 'maybe' from the saddler who'd made his saddle .

It was designed to carry his gun safely and in order to do that - most makers made their holsters somewhat 'deep' - so as to offer both security as well as protection.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Montgomery Wards, and the whole host of catalog suppliers carried holsters in their line - and they were machine-embossed, machine-stitched and mass-produced.

More importantly - they were cheap and available - and that was a good deal for a fairly impecunious cowhand.

Men of the era didn't wander through town armed to the teeth and loaded for bear like they do on the Silver Screen (or a C&WAS shoot) - nor were they overly 'menacing', since that could get them shot out of their saddles by men who'd fought a divisive war as well as various tribes - and were no strangers to killing, so eradicating 'that' sort of a potential disruption to their peace and prosperity wasn't going to bother them.

The James-Younger Gang found that out during what had to be an amazing day for them...

The gun was a tool - no more, no less - and many spent months in a saddlebag or bedroll.

As to the comment on NCOWS' 'checkers' - they just do not exist, nor have they.

NCOWS members do take their Impressions further, in their quest for an accurate portrayal of the era, and many enjoy that aspect of the hobby - the never-ending quest for just the right thing that completes an outfit to a particular time.

That it's not for everyone is true - but for those that enjoy it, the hunt is fun and it adds to the overall knowledge of the times.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!