cowboy cross draw

[OLDSTER]

Here's another of Gary Coffrins' wonderful restored photos of the old west. This chuck wagon shown in 1880 near Miles City,Mont. shows another example of the "carry choices" used by real cowboys on the range. Several of my previous threads re; Coffin photos, show the carry like the guy on the right. I don't know if that was preferred as a cross draw, or left handed "cavalry draw". What do some of you experts think ?? The "white" grips are also seen frequently in these old photos.

 

[UncleEd]

The cross draw allows easier mounting
of a horse on its left side. Once
in the saddle, think of it like sitting in
a chair or on a car seat. If you're
right handed it's easier to draw the
firearm while in that position.

Also, a cowboy would most likely be
working a rope from his right side;
the firearm is more out of the way.

Note how the saddle has a a fairly
high cantle (typical of 19th
century saddles), requiring a
much higher swing of the right leg
to get aboard.

And if the cowboy decided to walk
around a bit (NEVER!) it's easy
enough to swing the holster around
to the right side. The so-called
Buscadero was not in use or vogue.

 

[DeathGrip]

Cowboy doesn't mean Gunslinger.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Love those Dutch Ovens!
We always hear that the Chuck Wagon cooks relied on them,
Sure looks like this Cookie did.

 

[WardenRoss]

Looks like he spun the holster over to the cross-draw position. I don't see a buckle in the front.

Probably for the reasons stated above.

 

[UncleEd]

Cowboy doesn't mean Gunslinger.

The term "gunfighter" is more a Hollywood
invention and can mean a bad or good
guy. Not sure where "gunslinger" fits in.

In the 19th Century, the term "gun man"
was used and was synonymous with
murderer or assassin. In keeping with that
thought, a "gunfighter" or "gunslinger"
would also fall into the murderer category.

If a cowboy even carried a handgun, it was
more of a range tool to take out snakes or
dispatch a very mean beeve trying to
upend the cowboy and his horse.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The man on the left, presumably the cook. has rear pockets on his pants. How unusual!

Ivan

 

[Onomea]

Guy on the right is saying, "You put WHAT in this sammich?!"

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I wonder if that is a Miles City saddle on Ole Bald. I don't see any rope
attached, could be on the off side.

 

[30-30remchester]

I grew up in the west in rural areas. I knew many a cowhand over the decades. I don't recall seeing a single cow hand wearing a handgun. I knew several that had 22 handguns stuck in their saddle bags. Never knew one to have a sheath knife either. Just a large pocket knife. One old cowhand said he never carried anything but his stockman pocket knife. Said he had to put a horse down that was injured using that knife. He said that was quite a rodeo. Another rancher caught a bear eating a calf, and having no gun, ran it down with his truck. Said he hit it at least 5 times with his truck. Said it kept getting up. Finally he parked the truck on top of the bear and having only fencing tools, finished it off with a lathing hatchet. A pool rider on the Cline Tops , spent the summers watching cattle, carried only a 22 single shot rifle in his scabbard. I do enjoy old photos like the above. Gives some real insight.

 

[Xfuzz]

I see the...I assume a water barrel on the left side
of the wagon.
What you figure is the "canster" above the drawers of the
chuck wagon...?

 

[Onomea]

Ten gallon hat box.

 

[Kiwi cop]

The cowboy books always say it is a no-no to eat of the chuck wagon boards

Holster looks a bit far back to be true cross draw. And has been already noted belt has been turned so buckle at the back, so my 2c is also that the cowboy turned his gun belt around for comforts sake.

 

[UncleEd]

I wonder if that is a Miles City saddle on Ole Bald. I don't see any rope
attached, could be on the off side.

If the cowboy had a rope or handmade lariat
it probably would be on the right side of the
saddle.

Regarding the saddle, note the
minimal trappings, a lightweight rig compared
to so many saddles today and no saddle
blanket is apparent.

In the cattle driving days, remudas were large
and cowboys could during a workday wear out
a lot of horses, the animals getting very tired
and in need of rest.

I believe the cavalry of the late 19th century
set a maximum weight for its troopers of around
160 pounds or less. The rider plus the saddle
and equipment was meant to be kept at a
maximum of just slightly over 200 pounds, all
in the name of saving the horses.

 

[NYlakesider]

If the cowboy had a rope or handmade lariat
it probably would be on the right side of the
saddle.

Regarding the saddle, note the
minimal trappings, a lightweight rig compared
to so many saddles today and no saddle
blanket is apparent.

In the cattle driving days, remudas were large
and cowboys could during a workday wear out
a lot of horses, the animals getting very tired
and in need of rest.

I believe the cavalry of the late 19th century
set a maximum weight for its troopers of around
160 pounds or less. The rider plus the saddle
and equipment was meant to be kept at a
maximum of just slightly over 200 pounds, all
in the name of saving the horses.

I guess no one told John Wayne that. Saw him play a Calvary officer a couple times.

 

[Rpg]

I guess no one told John Wayne that. Saw him play a Calvary officer a couple times.

The cavalry 150 years ago didn't have a McDonalds on every other corner!

 

[dasnake]

My thinking is ........

A range cowboy would probably not pay for ivory or pearl, with grips being made of wood would a white wood work? Or stag horn carved by said cowboy.

 

[Nevada Ed]

What you figure is the "canster" above the drawers of the
chuck wagon...?

I don't have a clue but being a baseball fan, I did notice three white Sox in that picture.

 

[BSA1]

This photograph could be staged. I notice that there appears to be only one cartridge in the cartridge belt he is wearing. Many ranches, especially with the large outfits, did not allow cowboys to wear firearms. Cattle were considered to be more valuable than the ranch hand and the owners did not want to risk a cow being shot by a careless ranch hand.

 

[Puller]

I guess no one told John Wayne that. Saw him play a Calvary officer a couple times.

Key word is "play" . I don't think John Wayne made documentaries.