Interesting read from that other Wire

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Howdy! I highjack'd this from a topic being discussed on the other wire. It makes for an interesting read on the buscadero or slotted belt holster rigs. The original question was; "Does anyone know, who made the first buscardo style holster? And where did the word buscardo come from? Is it possible that this was used in Mexico before the 1900's?"
Here's what one of the replies was;
   "I was intrigued by your question. We all know that buscadero rigs were common in the Western movies of the 40's and 50's.

So I decided to consult an expert, Jim Lockwood of Legends in Leather. Jim knew a lot of the old leather makers that worked on movie cowboy rigs way back, and here is what he had to say:

"Howdy Dave - actually the first "buscadero" or slotted belt was done
back in the late 1800's. A simple slot in the belt under the bullet
loops to allow for the holster to slip through (ala Jack Palance in
Shane). This prevented the holster from sliding on the belt or to "lift"
very easily. The first drop slotted "buscadero", according to my friend
and historian Sheriff Jim Wilson was created by Captain John Huges of
the Texas Rangers and Sam Myers. Huges had suffered an injury to his
right arm and went "lefty". This proved difficult and between them they
came up with a method to "drop" the gun on the belt and prevent it from
shifting. The year was 1895.

I have found over the years from the research that I have done, that
Hollywood seldom invented anything, but just copied or elaborated on
existing designs. Most gunleather innovations have come from law
enforcement, including the "fast draw" style holster from Tom
Threepersons. These are the guys that experiment with ideas as their
lives are on the line.

Even the "Hollywood" western style holster used by Roy Rogers and Gene
Autry with it's fairly straight holster throat that exposed much of the
gun and trigger guard was first made as a "Texas Low Cut" back in the
1880's. I have seen holsters from that era with hammer thongs as well
(see Packing Iron). And True West published a photo taken in 1880's
Texas with a man wearing a double rig, with reverse draw holsters that
were TIED DOWN to his legs. Again, Hollywood only copies! Clarence E.
Mulford, the creator of Hopalong Cassidy (first book published in 1906)
even has one of his characters design a "fast draw" holster by lining it
with hard raw hide. This long before Arvo or Redwing ever thought of the
idea of steel or raw hide inserts. Hoppy's movie holsters with their
forward rake were right out of the Hamley catalogue (Hamley made the
Hoppy rig for the movies) and were available to the public.

I hope this helps solve your questions and thanks for the email. Happy
Trails,
Anyone that would like to add some information on this please feel free to respond. WBR
P.S. Lets keep it a civil conversation.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Very interesting!

[Wymore Wrangler]

Most good ideas have already been thought of by somebody else that's for sure...

[St. George]

Amazing what hearsay and remembrances can add - or subtract - given that in 1897, Myers opened his leather shop in Sweetwater, Texas - eventually moving to El Paso in 1919...

Captain John R. Hughes had already  retired from the Rangers in January of 1915 - having served since August 1887 - so by the time that rig was developed - Hughes' gunfighting days were over.

Here's what 'Packing Iron' has to say - as found on page 194:

"Evidently the joint inspiration of Texas Ranger John R. Hughes and master saddler S.D. Myres of El Paso, Texas, the 'Buscadero' gunbelt was developed during the early 1920's. 
Hughes employed a short strap, fixed diagonally on the face of a wide cartridge belt, that slipped through the holster's belt loop and secured with a buckle, canting the holster and pistol grip slightly forward  for a faster draw. 
Myres simplified the design, introducing a slotted tab that extended along the lower edge of the cartridge belt at the hip. 
A modified 'drop-loop' holster, with a belt loop designed to cant the pouch forward as in the Hughes prototype, was suspended from the integral belt tab by passing the back skirt/panel through the slot and securing it to pouch through the skirt loops or, more commonly, by means of an attached strap and buckle. 
Unlike historic western holsters, which rode high on the hip for comfort in the saddle, the 'Buscadero' holster rode lower on the thigh and nearer to the gun hand.

Popular for a time among southwestern peace officers, the 'Buscadero' pattern gunbelt found its real market with the celluloid buckaroos of Hollywood".

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy St. George,

Thanks!!  I'll always take research and documentation over reminscence.  Dates of business location can help nail things down.  Oral history is interesting, but cannot be relied on for documantation.

[St. George]

Relying on hearsay - from sources who are far removed from actual events or are patrons of the 'John Ford Reference Library' is certainly fun, but it's never a good idea.

Provenance, research and citing a verifiable source doesn't take all that much work - but it 'is' work of a sort, apparently -  pot-stirring takes even less effort, it would seem.

I'd suggest that anyone actively reading the various 'wires'  on any subjects do their own version of a 'due diligence' review before deciding to 'share with the class'...

It saves the poster any potential embarrassment and keeps the information flow accurate.

Scouts Out!

[Big Hext]

However, in this case, aren't both "authorities" using the same basic facts, with different dates?

As someone who has studied and written about history, with grades and graduation in the balance while (occasionally vengeful) and always opinionated professors judging the results, I'll suggest that just because something is written down does not make it true.  It is our personal duty to study and investigate and then interpret.  There is no shame in wildly divergent opinions resulting from studying the same set of facts, as our own personal filters get to work.

The only shame that I see here, frequently, is the assumption that anyone is correct in their interpretation.  We should be gracious enough to each other that we can agree to disagree, with ease and remain friendly.  For in that state, we will certaiinly learn more and advance our ability to understand not only each other, but our forefathers.

Adios,