Question on old leather quirt

[GunClick Rick]

Found one today at an antique store for 6.00,figured what the heck hang it in my room,looks to be hand woven and such,the top knot
has a hole in it,were these made with a wooden handle or something?I have seen old indian ones with handles,or was the hole fixed to something else,figured you all would know.. (someday i'll figure out how to make these pics smaller)

[ChuckBurrows]

1) the quirt appears to be rawhide not leather and most likely Mexican made based on the style and type of braid.

2) It looks to me that the original wrist thong may have been over wrapped by the end button - when this was lost the hollow was left and then they just worked a new, simple thong was worked through

[GunClick Rick]

Yep,that's sounds logical,thanks,i'll put a decoration on it.Thanks Chuck,your like an encyclopidia man!

[bedbugbilly]

Rick - I have several books on how to weave these as well as "whip making".  They are out in AZ - I'm back in MI so don't know the totals offhand.  If I remember correctly, that woven knob on the end has a specific name - "something" turban?" - or some such. 

The making of "quirts" and "whips" is a skill all unto itself.  I've just never had the time to play around with it but it's on my "to do" list.  Basically it's just learning the weaving process, etc.  To me, it looks like it would be a lot of fun to do.  I believe there is even a section in one of the books I have on making "riding crops".

You found a nice quirt - and the price was very decent on it.  A great "decorator" item to hang up that certainly goes with the western theme!   

[GunClick Rick]