Mexican Serape/Poncho in the late 19th Century

[Harley Starr]

When Clint Eastwood wore a serape in the Leone Westerns it got our attention.

Were Mexican ponchos readily available in the Old West?

[rebsr52339]

I guess "Ranger" the best place to find them may be in old photos. I wonder how many old time photographers there were in old Mexico? May be able to see them in photos north of the border.

[kflach]

You might do some checking on Texas Rangers. Apparently a lot of them wore clothing that was "heavily influenced" by Mexican styles.

[ChuckBurrows]

Serapes and ponchos are well documented for the American Southwest from the Spanish Colonial period onward (actually they've been worn in Europe since at least the Middle Ages.) They are for instance mentioned in the SW fur trade of the 1820-40's and later paintings and photos show them.
A serape is really nothing more than a blanket, usually folded and worn over one shoulder, but able to be opened up for protection from the sun and cold, and a poncho is nothing more than the same type blanket with a hole cut in it.
While available throughout the ares settled byt the Spanish whether they were easily available elsewhere would take research, but in general most of the original cowboy gear was either borrowed from the Spanish or was influenced by it and most of the original cowboys started out in Texas so.....

[Harley Starr]

Thanks for the info fellas, I do appreciate it.

[PABLO DEL NORTE]

   I THINK IT IS THE "JUNCTION RIVER TRADING CO."  THAT SELLS A REPLICA OF THE PONCHO/SERAPE THAT
MR. EASTWOOD WEARS IN THOSE MOVIES.  PRETTY COOL LOOKING

[St. George]

That'd be 'River Junction Trading Co.' - folks@riverjunction.com

Eastwood bought a modern poncho on a whim - for effect in a spaghetti western.

A real one would be far larger, so as to act as a blanket covering.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I have a decent collection of ponchos and serapes.  My favorite is this one:



As St. George said, it's big and covers you up.  This one was made in Peru from Alpaca wool.  It is warmer than any Pendelton jacket.  That picture was taken in Jan '09 and the temp was in the 30's with a wind chill in the teens.

You can find ponchos like this through a company called Novica.  It's a branch of National Geographic and they sell quality handmade goods from around the world.  Do a search for Novica.com.


EDIT:  Here's a link to the store:  http://www.novica.com/artistdetail/index.cfm?faid=705

[Harley Starr]

Thanks for the link Pancho.