cowboy cross draw

[dasnake]

War bag......

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.

Staged as in bringing a couple of guys in for a picture? setup and light was quite time consuming then, I also think carrying a gun from dawn til dusk might wear a guy down all the time so use a bag to carry your needed stuff.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Here's a Dude wearing Cross-draw.
But he's a New Yorker!
Actually, he's my Favorite New Yorker!

 

[dasnake]

Start spreading the news..........

Here's a Dude wearing Cross-draw.
But he's a New Yorker!
Actually, he's my Favorite New Yorker!

He sure was interesting, I spent some time in medora and he sure left a mark.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Great picture!
Also thinking posed.
The Cooks didn't like horse or cows up close to the Chuck Wagon.
They thought it was a Bank and made deposits.

 

[Kurusu]

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.

Or to "dispatch" his own horse if fallen and got caught on the stirrup.

 

[Kurusu]

Here's a Dude wearing Cross-draw.
But he's a New Yorker!
Actually, he's my Favorite New Yorker!

Probably mine too.

 

[MRB1]

Is that Formica on the table ? Sure looks shiny.

 

[OLDSTER]

Is that Formica on the table ? Sure looks shiny.

Granite or Quartz

 

[NYlakesider]

Is that Formica on the table ? Sure looks shiny.

Carbon fiber undergoing some beta testing!

 

[llowry61]

Weren't all photos in those days staged based on the type of cameras in use ?

 

[OLDSTER]

Reviving this old thread about Cowboy carry. Here's another Gary Coffrin photo of a chuck wagon SE of Miles City, Mont. 1883. Another thing you'll rarely see are the "movie cowboy hats".

 

[kraynky]

My first time seeing this thread, pretty interesting photos.

My guess on the first photo, the big round box is probably full of lard, for them campfire biscuits. LOL!

Always loved western books, movies and photos.

 

[jimmyj]

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.

Also the McCellan saddle was designed for the comfort of the horse and not the rider

 

[Llance]

Also the McCellan saddle was designed for the comfort of the horse and not the rider

that is Gods truth there lac. I've ridden one for a short ways. You needed to live in a saddle a long time to get used to a McCellan. I hate 'em

 

[UncleEd]

that is Gods truth there lac. I've ridden one for a short ways. You needed to live in a saddle a long time to get used to a McCellan. I hate 'em

Well to do your "40 miles a
day on beans and hay" plan a
10-hour day that includes walking
and trotting the horse and numerous
off saddle breaks.

Of course afterward you have to
devote considerable time caring
for your mount before you think
of supper. Remember, trooper,
the horse comes first.

 

[Iggy]

The McClellan saddle was meant to fit the horse. Slot in the middle to fit down along the spine. It was miserable on a fat horse.
If it fit the horse, that slot was not as uncomfortable as it looks.

 

[OLDSTER]

Enlarged Gary Coffrin photo of a cowboy having lunch in a "line shack".

 

[Iggy]

Those are some bodacious pistol cartridges in that belt.

 

[Claymore33]

Cavalry Troopers and cowboys usually carried revolvers in cross draw so the would be less likely to fall out of holster when galloping or running.
They did not have hammer straps in 1880

That is a fact .
I am both.

 

[UncleEd]

Cavalry Troopers and cowboys usually carried revolvers in cross draw so the would be less likely to fall out of holster when galloping or running.
They did not have hammer straps in 1880

That is a fact .
I am both.

Why would a six-gun carried
at hip level fall out of a
holster depending on which
way the grip was facing?

(Troopers did have full and
later half-flag holsters.)

Oh, you're just joshing.