Need some help on my Chaps

[Arizona Cattleman]

I have reached a section of the construction that I need help on.  The Tandy pattern is not specific in the fastening of the legs together.  Would the cowboys of the late 1900's have used D rings attached to the conchos straps on the back side then either small belts threded through and buckled or possibly snaps attached to a sewn strap?  The pattern gave no size adjustments for the girth of your legs, so the are a little tight and if sewn together I doubt I would get my boots let alone my leg through.  Any help would be appreciated, the period I am after is 1894 and after as my rifle is a Winchester Model 94.


Cattleman

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Cattleman,
Are your chaps shotgun or batwing style? The batwings are after 1900. If they are batwings, you can use swivel snaps to close them. This gives you the advantage of being able to put them on after you have your boots on.

If shotgun.....you may have to add a piece down the length of each leg to get them to fit over your boots. This piece can either be laced in or sewn.

You chaps look great...the only thing I may add is the top billet pieces you have the leg shaft sewn into is of a modern design. I would suggest you go to Chuck Burrows web site at www.wrtcleather.com/ Wild Roses Trading Company to see what a set of old style chaps look like. The old style billets were almost all straight across and laced together.

Bill

[Arizona Cattleman]

Thanks, well I guess these will have to be Western Movie Genre chaps.  Maybe the next pair I can find a older pattern to be period correct.  It has been an education though, I am having fun making them and getting a lot of experience stiching.


Cattleman

[FEATHERS]

G'Day Cattleman.I had the same problem with that pattern,what I came up with was stitching in a wedge of suede to widen them.Feathers

[Arizona Cattleman]

I am thinking of going with two small Drings on the side with the conchos at the top two, then straps off the other side with snaps to loop through the d-rings and then snap.  What this does is turn them into modified batwings which might be best because this oiled leather is somewhat stiff.  I keep everyone updated as I have to go to Tandy on Tue for the supplies.

Cattleman