Watchdog
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Those spurs are quite beautiful, as are those at the link.
Maybe some of our more knowledgable horsemen/cowboys could tell us what all goes into choosing a set of spurs. I imagine the sort of rider one is, the sort of horses one rides, one's sense of style, etc.
(Maybe just how much jingle-jangle you want to put down as you saunter through the swinging doors of the saloon to get yer sarsaparilla?
)
Do cowboys typically have more than one set?
Maybe some of our more knowledgable horsemen/cowboys could tell us what all goes into choosing a set of spurs. I imagine the sort of rider one is, the sort of horses one rides, one's sense of style, etc.
(Maybe just how much jingle-jangle you want to put down as you saunter through the swinging doors of the saloon to get yer sarsaparilla?
)Do cowboys typically have more than one set?
OP
Watchdog
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I like the engraving on these. I've heard it referred to as "zig zag" style, also as "wig wag" style. Someone more knowledgeable might chime in here to enlighten us. It puts me in mind of pawn shop style engraving, maybe even Wolf & Klar.
These are what's called "half-mounted" spurs, meaning only one side of the yoke (or band) is decorated. The rowels are small and not sharp. I haven't a clue as to what "style" these are, or if they're purpose-specific. I'm hoping someone will point this thread out to Chip and/or Dave so they can fill us in on the details.
I got the pair shown here from a guy from Montana.
I have another pair of Crocketts that are made from aluminum. Just haven't gotten around to photographing them. Had them for years. Looking at the linked website, I see Crockett began making spurs out of aircraft grade aluminum in 1938. They're small...look as if they might be for a lady or even a little girl.
I'll get around to photographing them soon, maybe.
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sureshotbob
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I have a pair left over from when I did cowboy action shooting.
Mine are called Gal /leg spurs because they look like a gals leg.
Mine are called Gal /leg spurs because they look like a gals leg.
Old Arkansawyer
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Crockett, one of the great spur makers. If these were made before 1935
Crockett himself may have made them, after 35 more or less mass
produced by one of several employees. I think, the shop picture is in
Kansas City and he moved the shop to Lenexa, Ks in the late 20's.
I like the spurs but I think my favorite old time spur maker was
John McChesney, Indian Territory, later Eastern Oklahoma. McChesney
was the first one piece spur maker, except for the rowels.
Both he and Crockett made simple yet beautiful spurs and bits.
I call these Texas style spurs, never cared much for the Mexican
or California style.
My older brother and I use to deal in a lot of cowboy or western
collectables, have owned several Crockett spurs and a couple
McChesney. Still have some old bits used now as a wall hanger.
I don't know if this type of collectable will continue to increase
in value, not enough old cowboys or cowboy fans left around.
I'm glad to see someone is still interested in the culture. Probably
the same ones of us who like older revolvers.
Thanks for posting the pictures.
Crockett himself may have made them, after 35 more or less mass
produced by one of several employees. I think, the shop picture is in
Kansas City and he moved the shop to Lenexa, Ks in the late 20's.
I like the spurs but I think my favorite old time spur maker was
John McChesney, Indian Territory, later Eastern Oklahoma. McChesney
was the first one piece spur maker, except for the rowels.
Both he and Crockett made simple yet beautiful spurs and bits.
I call these Texas style spurs, never cared much for the Mexican
or California style.
My older brother and I use to deal in a lot of cowboy or western
collectables, have owned several Crockett spurs and a couple
McChesney. Still have some old bits used now as a wall hanger.
I don't know if this type of collectable will continue to increase
in value, not enough old cowboys or cowboy fans left around.
I'm glad to see someone is still interested in the culture. Probably
the same ones of us who like older revolvers.
Thanks for posting the pictures.
OP
Watchdog
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I'm not sure how much, if any, the value might increase, but I don't think it will decrease. For me, the spurs are an art form; an art form associated with a high level of craftsmanship and pride of creation. Like those older revolvers you mention, they're worth something to a particular group of people but of no interest to people who don't understand what they're looking at. The engraving on the spurs might be an inexpensive form, but someone took some time with it, took the time to get it just the way they wanted. Things like this didn't come off of an assembly line. Plus, a lot of people don't have the imagination to look beyond the actual item...they can't envision what sort of history might be behind them, who might have worn them, who might have used them. These spurs might be just another pair of Crocketts, but for me, there's always that "I wonder..." when I look at them or other items from bygone days.
I love the old things, but I'm one of those who doesn't have enough money to really pursue them from a collector's standpoint. The spurs shown in my photograph were an exception. I have no earthly use for them, but they spoke to me the same way an old beat up Smith revolver does...I simply had to have them. So I bought 'em.
WOW!!! Great looking spurs! Crocketts are some of the finest. The ones pictured are usually referred to as a roper-style of spur...short, straight shank, small rowells (i.e. wheels).
What goes into choosing a certain style of spur? Several things. First off, what are you using the spur for?...breaking a young colt, tuning up an old veteran, cutting horse competition, rodeo work?
Surprisingly, a larger rowel is actually more humane than a smaller rowell. Think about it. A large rowell rolls along the barrel of the horse...sorta like a tickle. A small rowell is like getting goosed in the side with a screwdriver. So, if you're working with a young horse, you'll usually go with a larger rowell with dull edges.
Also, believe it or not, the height of the rider also plays into the choosing of a spur. If you find yourself on the shorter side, you'll probably want a spur with a turned down shank, making it easier to make contact with the horse. If, on the other hand, you lean more toward the tall, lanky side, you'll want a spur shank that turns up.
Another thing that figures into choosing a spur is the rider's preference. Hey!! We all like a little bling on a spur. Right?
Some spurs have jingle bobs on them...little dangly things that jingle as you walk or ride. As the old saying goes, "If it don't jingle, it ain't a spur."
This is an E. Garcia Californio spur, complete with jingle bobs and very popular with the cowboys in what are known as the "Buckaroo states"... Northern California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and parts of Utah. This spur has a large two-inch rowell that is easy on a horse and is inlaid in silver (versus "overlaid" as in Watchdog's Crockett spurs). The jingle of the spurs lets the horse know that you have them on. With my old horse Mouse, she just had to know that you had spurs on and she would respond immediately just by squeezing your calf up against her side.
This spur is a double-mounted spur, patterned after the old McChesney-style spur and the old Bianchi bottle-opener spur. These spurs are double-mounted with the McChesney vine overlaid on one side and the Bianchi silver bars overlaid on the other. These spurs are also equipped with the famous McChesney locking rowell.
These are some cast bronze spurs made by Mort Scott out of McKinleyville, California. This is an old-style, universal type of spur that will work in just about any situation.
This style spur is an old Bob Blackwood spur with a 1¼-inch, six-point rowell, and an up-turned shank. Being long and lanky, this spur works great for me. I can cue a horse without having to bend my leg upwards. This spur is also double-mounted... silver bars on one side, personalized on the other. The rowells are easy on a young horse, but will still get an older horse's attention.
It's also a big misconception that spurs are cruel. Oh, I suppose they could be with a bozo who's wearing sharp rowells and who doesn't know what he's doing, but in reality, a spur is a tool, just like a bit, or a halter.
Remember, a horse's skin is extremely sensitive. If you don't believe me, just watch what happens when a fly lands on a horse. The horse just shakes that particular area of his skin to get the fly off. Likewise, a horse responds to the rider through various cues...leg cues, ankle cues, shifting of the rider's weight, rein cues on the horse's neck, bit cues, etc. If he can feel a fly, he sure as heck can tell when you shift your weight or apply a slight pressure to his side. The uninformed thinks a horse only responds to the bit. Balderdash!
When you're leading a pack string along some precipitous mountain trail and you need your lead horse to move over to one side in order the keep the whole string from going over the edge, you need an immediate response...NOW!! You don't need to yank on the horse's mouth, or whip the reins off to the side. No...you just gently let your spur rest on the horse's side and they'll move away from that edge PRONTO!
Like I said previously, usually a good horse only has to know that you have spurs on...just the mere suggestion. Let me give a rather dumb example, but hopefully you'll get the point. Ms. Judy's feet are extremely ticklish. Extremely. I don't even have to tickle her feet to make her squirm. All I have to do is start moving my hand toward her feet and start wiggling my fingers. She immediately starts moving her feet. Same with a good horse that is spur trained. You don't normally have to use the spur...just start putting pressure on them with your calf and over they'll move.
Also, to answer Onomea's question, "Do cowboy's typically have more than one set?"....yep.
Also, you never jab a horse with your spurs like you often see in the movies. Like I said, a good horse that is spur trained just needs to know that you have them on and a little bit of pressure with your calves will get them into a lope.
Anyway, that's probably a heckuva lot more than you really wanted to know.
Bottom line...those Crockett spurs are real beauties.
What goes into choosing a certain style of spur? Several things. First off, what are you using the spur for?...breaking a young colt, tuning up an old veteran, cutting horse competition, rodeo work?
Surprisingly, a larger rowel is actually more humane than a smaller rowell. Think about it. A large rowell rolls along the barrel of the horse...sorta like a tickle. A small rowell is like getting goosed in the side with a screwdriver. So, if you're working with a young horse, you'll usually go with a larger rowell with dull edges.
Also, believe it or not, the height of the rider also plays into the choosing of a spur. If you find yourself on the shorter side, you'll probably want a spur with a turned down shank, making it easier to make contact with the horse. If, on the other hand, you lean more toward the tall, lanky side, you'll want a spur shank that turns up.
Another thing that figures into choosing a spur is the rider's preference. Hey!! We all like a little bling on a spur. Right?
Some spurs have jingle bobs on them...little dangly things that jingle as you walk or ride. As the old saying goes, "If it don't jingle, it ain't a spur."
This is an E. Garcia Californio spur, complete with jingle bobs and very popular with the cowboys in what are known as the "Buckaroo states"... Northern California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and parts of Utah. This spur has a large two-inch rowell that is easy on a horse and is inlaid in silver (versus "overlaid" as in Watchdog's Crockett spurs). The jingle of the spurs lets the horse know that you have them on. With my old horse Mouse, she just had to know that you had spurs on and she would respond immediately just by squeezing your calf up against her side.
This spur is a double-mounted spur, patterned after the old McChesney-style spur and the old Bianchi bottle-opener spur. These spurs are double-mounted with the McChesney vine overlaid on one side and the Bianchi silver bars overlaid on the other. These spurs are also equipped with the famous McChesney locking rowell.
These are some cast bronze spurs made by Mort Scott out of McKinleyville, California. This is an old-style, universal type of spur that will work in just about any situation.
This style spur is an old Bob Blackwood spur with a 1¼-inch, six-point rowell, and an up-turned shank. Being long and lanky, this spur works great for me. I can cue a horse without having to bend my leg upwards. This spur is also double-mounted... silver bars on one side, personalized on the other. The rowells are easy on a young horse, but will still get an older horse's attention.
It's also a big misconception that spurs are cruel. Oh, I suppose they could be with a bozo who's wearing sharp rowells and who doesn't know what he's doing, but in reality, a spur is a tool, just like a bit, or a halter.
Remember, a horse's skin is extremely sensitive. If you don't believe me, just watch what happens when a fly lands on a horse. The horse just shakes that particular area of his skin to get the fly off. Likewise, a horse responds to the rider through various cues...leg cues, ankle cues, shifting of the rider's weight, rein cues on the horse's neck, bit cues, etc. If he can feel a fly, he sure as heck can tell when you shift your weight or apply a slight pressure to his side. The uninformed thinks a horse only responds to the bit. Balderdash!
When you're leading a pack string along some precipitous mountain trail and you need your lead horse to move over to one side in order the keep the whole string from going over the edge, you need an immediate response...NOW!! You don't need to yank on the horse's mouth, or whip the reins off to the side. No...you just gently let your spur rest on the horse's side and they'll move away from that edge PRONTO!
Like I said previously, usually a good horse only has to know that you have spurs on...just the mere suggestion. Let me give a rather dumb example, but hopefully you'll get the point. Ms. Judy's feet are extremely ticklish. Extremely. I don't even have to tickle her feet to make her squirm. All I have to do is start moving my hand toward her feet and start wiggling my fingers. She immediately starts moving her feet. Same with a good horse that is spur trained. You don't normally have to use the spur...just start putting pressure on them with your calf and over they'll move.
Also, to answer Onomea's question, "Do cowboy's typically have more than one set?"....yep.
Also, you never jab a horse with your spurs like you often see in the movies. Like I said, a good horse that is spur trained just needs to know that you have them on and a little bit of pressure with your calves will get them into a lope.
Anyway, that's probably a heckuva lot more than you really wanted to know.
Bottom line...those Crockett spurs are real beauties.
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keith44spl
Member
I really like those Crocket Spurs.........
I'll be looking for some pictures or just snap a few over
the holiday of some of my equipment.
I'm kinda a silver bits & spurs, a rawhide riata man.
Mane hair ropes and braided rawhide bosals,
Silver snaffles & spade bits......High back cantles and slick forks w/bucking rolls.
.
I'll be looking for some pictures or just snap a few over
the holiday of some of my equipment.
I'm kinda a silver bits & spurs, a rawhide riata man.
Mane hair ropes and braided rawhide bosals,
Silver snaffles & spade bits......High back cantles and slick forks w/bucking rolls.
.
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I'm kinda a silver bits & spurs, a rawhide riata man.
Mane hair ropes and braided rawhide bosals,
Silver snaffles & spade bits......High back cantles and slick forks w/bucking rolls.
A man after my own heart.
Don't have a clue as to what the heck that means, but it sure does sound cool! Lookin' forward to the pix, my friend....I'm kinda a silver bits & spurs, a rawhide riata man.
Mane hair ropes and braided rawhide bosals,
Silver snaffles & spade bits......High back cantles and slick forks w/bucking rolls.
.
emptypockets
Member
Don't have a clue as to what the heck that means, but it sure does sound cool! Lookin' forward to the pix, my friend.
Kinda sounds like cowboy poetry. Whatever it is.....I like it.
Kinda sounds like the Sound of Music... raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...
Thank you Mule Packer for that class in spurs. Not more than I needed
to know. Great pictures too. Looking forward to seeing some of Dave's
stuff too.
And thanks to Watchdog too, for starting this thread with his Crocketts.
to know. Great pictures too. Looking forward to seeing some of Dave's
stuff too.
And thanks to Watchdog too, for starting this thread with his Crocketts.
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"I've got spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle
As I go riding merrily along"
Remember Gene Autry singing it when I was a kid.
Back in late 1930s & 1940s.
As I go riding merrily along"
Remember Gene Autry singing it when I was a kid.
Back in late 1930s & 1940s.
Old Arkansawyer
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My great uncle, with whom I use to ride through the hills fox hunting,
had a high back Miles City saddle bought in the 40's. He died in 1960
and his daughter took the saddle to California. I have no idea what
happened to the saddle. Wish I had it.
had a high back Miles City saddle bought in the 40's. He died in 1960
and his daughter took the saddle to California. I have no idea what
happened to the saddle. Wish I had it.
Thanks for the lesson Mule Packer! I learn something every day on this site!
OP
Watchdog
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I was wishing you'd show up and talk about spurs, and my wish was granted.
Thanks so much for your knowledgeable and informative reply. As I mentioned to you, there's not much I enjoy more than listening to someone who actually knows what he's talking about!
If I ever grow up, I wanna be like you. Thanks again, and give L'il Trooper a nose rub for me.
keith44spl
Member
Well Boys,
Got a pic er two........
Let's start with my spurs (the only pair the son & grandsons left me)
Garcia Spurs, hitched up on a pair of White's 18" cowboy packers.
My handmade high back, slick fork, double rigged saddle with mulehide horn wrap & buckin' rolls.
A little rawhide gear, a 64' Riata, hobbles, quirk, reins and romal with popper. One ear headstall sportin' a Silver Garcia Spade bit. (used only on a sure nuff straight up bridle horse)
Other using gear...Silver Garcia snaffle bit with slober straps and 22' mane hair mccarty with a shoofly on the bridle throat latch.
Elk hide leggin's (chinks)and shotgun woolies (chaps).......
.
Got a pic er two........
Let's start with my spurs (the only pair the son & grandsons left me)
Garcia Spurs, hitched up on a pair of White's 18" cowboy packers.
My handmade high back, slick fork, double rigged saddle with mulehide horn wrap & buckin' rolls.
A little rawhide gear, a 64' Riata, hobbles, quirk, reins and romal with popper. One ear headstall sportin' a Silver Garcia Spade bit. (used only on a sure nuff straight up bridle horse)
Other using gear...Silver Garcia snaffle bit with slober straps and 22' mane hair mccarty with a shoofly on the bridle throat latch.
Elk hide leggin's (chinks)and shotgun woolies (chaps).......
.
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