Knife Sheath & Holster Controversy by Bob Boze Bell

[Shotgun Franklin]

It seems that as guns, especially handguns, got more reliable knifes got smaller. If your gun works you just don't need a big old heavy fighting knife. I kinda think that more and more Cowboys/Westerners got away from big knives and even began to carry folding pocket knives. Texas Rangers weren't working Cowboys, at least not while being Rangers. For some reason these Rangers felt the need for a belt knife, maybe influenced by the Mexicans they were around so often(?) Maybe the thing to consider is why did Rangers feel that THEY needed a handy bigger knife?

[Tascosa Joe]

The pictures of  Rangers with the knife in front of the pistol in the Pictorial History of the Texas Rangers book spans 1870ish to about 1900.  The knives appear to range from 6" blade up to about 12"  and the from 1890 or so to 1900 fewer people carried their knife in front of the pistol.  As James said, we probably will never know why and it may be a local South Texas thing.  Pancho may have a some insight as that is the part of the world where he grew up.

[kflach]

Sometimes you just do things because of how they look. Considering how wild and wooly Texas was during the 1870's it was probably to your advantage (if you were a Texas Ranger) to look fierce and scary. Big knives can be quite intimidating, and if that's what you need then wearing a big knife would be quite "practical" even if you didn't need it to chop firewood.

[Stillwater]

From looking at the fellow, in the picture, it looks like his rifle was originally a musket, though the barrel has been shortened...

Has anybody looked at that?

Bill

[litl rooster]

Besides the knife issues Capt. Baylors article and photo's point out some other thiings...Rangers rode ponies. Also notice that they did not use breast collars on their saddles. Unlike the movies do.  The ropes they carried was a utility tool, usually braided rawhide. Unlike the herdsman (real cowboys) The ropes they carried were used for many things. Rangers were not out calving momma cows or doctor'n sic yearlings. They may of drug one back to camp now and agin for supper.

  I tried the knife forward thing here in the house on 2 different saddles, just for brief minute and felt ucomfortable with it. There may be some conveinance factor there, but I guess I have had mine to the rear too long to be sure. With a Bowie size knife I would think mounting and dismounting a horse, this would get in the way of your movement.

Capt. Baylors article mentioned "Boiled Shirts" is this what Wrangler sold as a "Brush Popper" in modern times?

[St. George]

No.

A 'boiled shirt' was a man's dress shirt - well-starched.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[litl rooster]

No.

A 'boiled shirt' was a man's dress shirt - well-starched.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Thanks

[Devil Anse Hatfield]

did they not also carry 6 rounds loaded?

[Montana Slim]

did they not also carry 6 rounds loaded?

Possibly.....Indeed, you can rest the hammer/firing pin between two rounds. A stronger mainspring contributes to the relative safety of this mode of carry. I believe this would be safer than resting the hammer down on a live cap, or the first "click" on a Colt (designed to keep teh FP off the cap). Yes, originals and some repros have this notch on the hammer.

If I felt to be imminent danger from multiple assailants, I'd consider resting the hammer between cartrdges to carry six in the wheel.

Regards,
Slim

[Devil Anse Hatfield]

Slim
My question of 6 loaded was a loaded question. I know the answer and so does most everyone else around this here wire fire. Point being Alot of things were done in the Day they can be figgered as right or wrong. But cant be figgered why. As we can discuss black and white and still get gray.
I personally couldnt carry a knife in front of a holster when mounted . Their really isnt alot of room for hanging all that on one side .Im not very tall or very wide . Fact is I always have a gun and a knife when I ride. I carry cross draw when I ride and a  folding Knife in back pocket. A rope in my right hand.
My reasons when I rope something  I dont want my gun  being hung foul by a rope flipped out mashed in the muck or scuffed in the wreck . When you add horse,cow, rope  a wreck of some sorts is not far off.

Devil

[Montana Slim]

What I really thought about the photage was back on page one.......

Looks like a cool way to wear / show off your fine, manly accessories......I'd consider this myself if I was posing for a photo.
Could be what those gents were thinking, too 

Regards,
Slim