Birth of the Buscadero?

Professor Marvel · June 06, 2015, 06:47:20 PM

Greetings My Dear Netizens -

whilst ~~putzing~~ purusing the interwebs today, trying to find this engraved pistol (any assistance gratefully accepted)

I stumbled on this article from "Guns Magazine" 1962, (please see page 38)
describing the "birth" of the buscadero rig , as built by Uncle Sam Meyers, El Paso for Texas Ranger Capt Hughes

http://www.gunsmagazine.com/1962issues/G0162.pdf

snip---
The first outfit won the name of "Myres' Quick Draw." At this juncture the writer Cunningham stepped
in and, according to Bill Myres, christened the revolutionary new design the "Buscadero Belt."
...
Texas Ranger Captain John R. Hughes was "directly responsible" for what Myres called the buscadero belt.
endsnip------

Comments, corrections, and general abuse welcomed.

yhs
prof marvel

St. George · June 06, 2015, 08:30:00 PM

Outside of your referring to him as 'Uncle' instead of 'Tio', it follows the basic history of the rig.

It's true popularity came about as a result of its use by the 'Good Guy' on the Silver Screen.

After a few oaters, pretty much everybody owned a rig - except for the guys in the backdrops, who were all wearing 'real' gear and riding 'real' saddles from the Old West era.

Look closely, and that's where you'll spot the Whitney-Kennedys, the Forehand & Wadsworths, Merwin, Hulberts and the rest of the sidearms that filled the holsters and saddle scabbards of the West.

Scouts Out!

hp246 · June 06, 2015, 09:15:00 PM

Thank you for sharing the entire magazine. Cool being able to look back in time.

Marshal Will Wingam · June 07, 2015, 04:31:31 PM

Thanks for the post with the link. Good information. The rest of the magazine is fun to go through, too.

buttebob · June 08, 2015, 09:33:02 AM

I liked the picture on pg. 39 where the caption states the gun is a pearl handled Colt. Looks like an ivory handled Ruger Flattop to me.
I stopped in at Ye Ol' Hunter back in the late '50's. What a thrill for a kid in his early teens.
I also used to pass the S. D. Myers shop in El Paso often in the late '40's, early '50's. Seeing the saddles in the window and smelling that leather. Must have impressed me as I still remember it.

Skeeter Lewis · June 08, 2015, 02:28:27 PM

There's an article that refers to the "rifle that you load on Sunday and fire all week" as the Spencer, not the Henry.

Bruce W Sims · June 08, 2015, 03:17:10 PM

Think I ran across the same information. Is there anything to indicate why
an integrated belt and holster was more popular than, say, a Drop Holster?
Was it all about looks, or was there a utilitarian reason? Just wonderin'.....

Best Wishes,

Bruce

Slowhand Bob · June 08, 2015, 09:15:30 PM

I think it offered up more leather for spangling, stamping and carving, plus add in that low hang and it just looked fast. These were the ingredients needed by the likes of a young John Wayne, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, etc and etc. The few times I have worn these rigs they have not proven very useful for much beyond fast draw with certain specialised rigs.

St. George · June 08, 2015, 11:19:42 PM

They were primarily built for a fast draw - not for practicality/convenience - certainly not for riding.

With all that leather to carve and hang conchos on, they were eye-catching on the Silver Screen, but they weren't 'Old West' by a long shot.

When dismounted and buckled up tight and using the tie-downs - a slim-hipped 'hero' looked pretty 'heroic'.

Couldn't mount his horse - but damn - he looked 'good'...

There was no such thing as a 'drop holster' - that's a new term, just like 'leg-drop holster'.

Holsters of the era were worn high - usually on money belts - and the piece was held 'deep' in the hull for security and protection from the elements.

Rattenbury's 'Packing Iron' shows what was worn - it's well worth reading.

Scouts Out!

Trailrider · June 09, 2015, 05:23:54 PM

Could Roy, Gene and Hoppy be wrong?!

This is the (Hollyweird) West, sir! When the legend becomes fact, (roll 'em, cut) print the legend!

Blair · June 09, 2015, 06:45:43 PM

This sport maybe consider Hollywood/hollyweird by some, maybe even most.
The history part of this sport is very much real history to me. But that is just my opinion.
You all have fun.
My best,
Blair

Slowhand Bob · June 10, 2015, 07:53:11 AM

The sad part of the real west history is that men who knew better, they actually were there, or later men who called themselves historians, all to often passed on the legends. Whether lazy or just shilling for the extra money that sensationalism could produce, they left us with some pretty muddy waters. I just recently watched a new 'true' version of the Hickok vs Tutt gunfight and it left me wondering, how many different TRUE versions can exist of one incident? This was produced and advertised as a 'documentary' short episode!!

St. George · June 10, 2015, 11:43:58 AM

As a general rule - 'true' versions come with bibliographies and footnotes, because someone actually took the time to read and to do the research - they didn't rely on consensus or conversation.

Any time one factors the 'John Ford Reference Library' into the equation, he brings 'artistic license' and 'actor's preferences' into the mix - and fails to realize (or accept) that movies are for entertainment of the masses and not for the furtherance of the history of the Frontier West.

If they made movies of 'that' reality - no one would pay the admission, since watching teamsters and drovers and farmers isn't too exciting.

And if Hopalong Cassidy were actually dressed like Clarence Mulford wrote his stories - he'd fit into any NCOWS scenario.

On the other hand - dressed as he was for the movies in his black, studded spangled batsuit, he looked more like he was headed to a Judas Priest concert.

Scouts Out!

Professor Marvel · June 11, 2015, 12:03:25 AM

Quote from: St. George on June 10, 2015, 11:43:58 AM
...

And if Hopalong Cassidy were actually dressed like Clarence Mulford wrote his stories - he'd fit into any NCOWS scenario.

On the other hand - dressed as he was for the movies in his black, studded spangled batsuit, he looked more like he was headed to a Judas Priest concert.
....

My Good St George -
I had to look them up

yhs
prof marvel

Bruce W Sims · June 11, 2015, 10:06:02 AM

Yeah.... there is a LOT of that going around. People want to believe how they want to believe.
The other day I was watching a program on WWI and then on WW II. Both wars started just like the ACW - with people thinking it would be parades and bands and medals and glory....oh...and that it would be over "in a few weeks or so".

When people think about the American West they don't want to think about the weather, smells, and limitations.
Its easy to sit in a livingroom and watch some guy purportedly spending weeks in a saddle and think
nothing of it. I mention all of this only because its a huge part of the motivation for me to do things as
close to how they were done as possible. Just sayin....

Best Wishes,

Bruce

St. George · August 17, 2015, 10:27:44 AM

Then stop watching movies and head to the local Public Library to start checking out the Time-Life series 'The Old West'.

It's pretty readable - covers the bases - is well-illustrated - and the bibliographies in the back will give you much more direction.

Scouts Out!

Mogorilla · August 18, 2015, 06:48:00 AM

I always wear ear protection when I shoot, but I am pretty sure Judas Priest and Iron Maiden are the reason I can't hear certain tones! Good concerts though. Ah, tales of misspent youth.

I concur on the Time Life series. I have the entire set. I got the first one for my 10th birthday and mom and dad kept them coming. I would read it cover to cover before the next one arrived. They are the reason when I was putting together my kit, I went with a Henry, as I thought they looked cool. (and boy do they!) Danny Glover may have had a little influence on that as well. Between the Time Life Series and Packing Iron, I have enough leather projects to keep me busy until retirement!