wanting to research

[cowboy316]

howdy pards im at a loss right now im wanting to research cowboy gear for around the 1800s or  any leather gear in that era and ill im geting is new stuff and i dont think what im seeing is period corect so can ya help a pard out
Cowboy316

[Slowhand Bob]

The books are out there but rather than name them off I will stick with the names of the pards that seem to base most of their stuff around the early period.  In my opinion most of the patterns and products produced by Will Ghormley seems spot on while Wild Rose products just seem to have been stolen from some cowboy and Indian museum somewhere.  These are not the only ones by any means but just a couple I would make a point of grilling on this.  They seem to seriously study their subject pieces.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy 316

        You might want to pose your question at the Historical Society, a few forums down, they deal with these type question all the time.


              Regards

         tEN wOLVES 

[Ned Buckshot]

One of my "bibles" is Packing Iron by Richard Rattenbury.

I find it to be an excellent tool for building most any Old West holsters.

Ned

[Slowhand Bob]

WOW, talk about not getting to know your neighbors, I had not seen the Historical group Down there.  I guess there is something for everyone on CAS CITY!  Another reference, though somewhat more limited would be I SEE BY YOUR OUTFIT.  There are several large Bible type references to old west history that also includes some leather, mostly from the famous gunmen, in their photo sections.

Being as I am on the east coast and have not crossed the big river since I was just a grasshopper, I do not have access to those western era museums.  It would be grate if a central source existed for those who visit such could list photos and museum data related to them.  But then there is one problem, some museums do not allow photography due to light damage caused by flash or is that not the norm?

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

316, I didn't read your post correctly, like Ned said " Packing Iron " is a great reference, along with

              "  Cowboy Trappings of the Old West "

  There are other books out there that have good pictures, that aren't just about leather that are good sources too. go to Amazon.com and write in Old West and see what they have.

              Regards

            tEN wOLVES 

[GunClick Rick]

One of the best is Del Monnico for historical accuracey.My g-g-g-g-g-g-g-great grandaddy was a bullfrog herder and sold frog legs to Del Monnicos resteruant..

[outrider]

slowhand..if my memory serves me...isn't there a nice cowboy/western museum somewhere in mid-Georgia???  around Atlanta??

[outrider]

Saw it advertised on TV today...Booth Cowboy Museum...Cartersville GA.

[ChuckBurrows]

While Will, myself, and others (such as Rick Bachman) have all done our research, but I suggest whenever possible doing your own although by all means I'm more than glad to offer advice.

Books and websites:
1) Packing Iron
2) Cowboys & Trappings of the Old West
3) Several books by William C Davis - look him up on Amazon for titles - many of the photos used in his books are from teh Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody - if you can make if over there by all means do - other wise they are online at www.bbhc.org
4) Bill Macklin has a book on Gun Leather
5) True West magazine offers articles with good original photos
6) The Texas Ranger Museum has a website
7) I See by Your Outfit
Search out the western auction and antique sites
9) James G Rosa has some books on Old West guns and leather

and that's just a start......even after almost 50 years I'm still researching and learning - and that's a big part of the fun factor for yours truly.......

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy,

The Peacemakers by R. Wilson has a lot of good pictures of western equipment, including holsters and much, much more!

You can find a cheap copy here!

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Wilson&bi=0&bx=off&ds=30&sortby=2&sts=t&tn=The+Peacemakers&x=28&y=3