Line shack 1909

[OLDSTER]

Here's another one of Gary Coffrins' photos. This one shows "Slim" Ridge, foreman, at a line shack of the huge LO ranch, southeast of Miles City, Mont. This is 1909, and ,once again, as we've seen in previous Coffrin photos, a real cowboy carrying his revolver "cavalry draw" style. Also interesting is the floral carving on the holster ( click on photo to enlarge) Comments and discussion welcome.

 

[jimmyj]

Cavalry Draw -No
Cross Draw- Yes

 

[Onomea]

I think holster, based on cartridges/loops in the front that holster is designed for right handed right hip carry, and is turned around for a makeshift cavalry draw. Note cowboy is smoking with his right, too.

Wonder why he's wearing it like that? Edit to add: I am gonna speculate it is more comfortable sitting down when pulled around that way.

Also, looks like a very nice floral carved holster.

Jimmy, what is the distinction you are making?

 

[Ray]

Pardon my ignorance but what´s a Line Schack ?
Thanks, regards, Ray

 

[Jessie]

A shack used by cowboys that rode the fence lines and looked after the herds.
Often located many miles from civilization and the ranch.

 

[Rustyt1953]

That's one of those photographs that keep talking to you.

 

[SS336]

Great picture, thanks for sharing that. He doesn't seem to happy with the photographer.

 

[Ray]

Thanks Jessie regards, Ray

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have seen the remains of probable Line Shacks.
But none made from logs that big!

 

[lihpster]

Jimmy can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the distinction he's making is this.
Cavalry draw: strong side, butt forward.
Crossdraw: weak side, butt forward.

 

[Alpo]

In my experience, cross-draw needs to be tilted. That picture shows a seven and a half inch barrel revolver sitting straight up and down. To draw that with the left hand you would have to pull it straight up almost to your shoulder to get the barrel out of the holster.


Possibly the man is left handed, and is wearing it for a cavalry draw on the left side, but more likely he has just pushed it around to the left side of his body, to get it out of the way.

 

[lihpster]

I agree that it's a standard right hand holster, turned around. As mentioned, placement of the shell loops shows this. All we can definitively say is that this man, at the time the picture was taken, wore this gun and holster that way. Could be a prop he was asked to wear. Could be he was asked to move it around so the six shooter would be in the photo. Could be he wears it that way to keep his strong side clear for rope work. Could be he carries his fence fixing tools on his strong side since he probably uses them more often. We'll never know. And that's the fun of it! Great photo!
My Opinion? He's a working cowboy, not Johnny Ringo. The fast draw is not something he needs. He can afford a standard holster because he doesn't make a ton of money. But something in the everyday work he does takes place on that right side and a tool that doesn't get used alot takes up alot of valuable real estate.

 

[vonn]

Bet he had a story or two! Fellas had to be self sufficient and careful.

 

[crazyphil]

I agree with Jimmy. The cowboy is probably right handed and is wearing
his rig cross-draw. Looks to be maybe 1873 Colt Cavalry model with 7.5"
barrel. The ammo in his belt looks like long Colt 45s. I see he also has
a box of ammo on top of the box over his right arm. Great old picture.
Thanks for sharing it Oldster.

 

[Greyman50]

Note everything is tied up high to keep rodents out ?

 

[UncleEd]

Left side carry very common because
of usual method of mounting a horse
from the left. Gets gun out of the way.

Also, any roping to be done usually from
right side, again with gun out of the way.

Easier to draw while "sitting down" in
the saddle.

Cowboy moxie!

 

[Inusuit]

Great picture, thank you for sharing it.

 

[handejector]

Jimmy can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the distinction he's making is this.
Cavalry draw: strong side, butt forward.
Crossdraw: weak side, butt forward.

Close.
Cavalry holsters were worn on the right side, butt forward, period. It did not matter if it was your strong side or not.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Note everything is tied up high to keep rodents out ?

The rodents can get up there -- never doubt it.

In 1909 the floor might have been dirt. In that country it was likely wet a lot during the spring.

Great photo. Thanks OLDSTER.

I'd like to have his hat.

 

[walkinghorse]

Great Photograph!

Maybe my eyes, but the cartridges in the belt loops look awfully long for .45 Colt?
Ala Josh Randall of tv fame. No way to know definitely.

 

[smoothshooter]

I think holster, based on cartridges/loops in the front that holster is designed for right handed right hip carry, and is turned around for a makeshift cavalry draw. Note cowboy is smoking with his right, too.

Wonder why he's wearing it like that? Edit to add: I am gonna speculate it is more comfortable sitting down when pulled around that way.

Also, looks like a very nice floral carved holster.

Jimmy, what is the distinction you are making?

For a right-handed person, when working, a gun on the right side is in the way most of the time, especially with the old-timey, long holsters. Harder to get to a pocket knife or other tool or chewing tobacco that may be in your right-front pants pocket.
When worn on a separate belt on the left side, it's an easy matter
to slide it back around to the right side in anticipation of possibly needing to use the gun soon.
I know this from many hours and days of first-hand experience.

 

[444 Magnum]

Some cowboys, I am told, kept both pistol and rifle cartridges in their holster if they were different calibers.
Here's a 7 1/2" Bisley in .45 Colt circa 1907.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Pardon my ignorance but what´s a Line Schack ?
Thanks, regards, Ray

It does not show the bay window with the view of the lake............

plus he probably lost five straight hands at cribbage and is low on coffee.

sorry.

 

[elca86]

now me being a sailor airwing guy line shack has totally different meaning lol

 

[arjay]

Doesn't look like a guy to mess with. How did they hoist that middle log into place-that thing is heavy!

 

[glenwolde]

Maybe my eyes, but the cartridges in the belt loops look awfully long for .45 Colt?
Ala Josh Randall of tv fame. No way to know definitely.

I think they look like .32-20....

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Has everybody seen one of the best Western Cowboy Movies ever made?
Will Penny.
Charlton Heston and some of the usual suspects.
And yes, there's a Line Shack.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Note everything is tied up high to keep rodents out ?

Yes. One of those sacks probably contains cured and smoked bacon, another may contain ham, possibly some dried fruit. Little shack probably smelled pretty good! Bears and coyotes may have shown some interest from time to time.

Years ago an old boy who came elk hunting with our group (and managed the camp) showed me the trick to getting the servings right for supper. Dry beans, one handful per man, soaked overnight then into the dutch oven all day with the ham or bacon, onions, tomatoes, and whatever else was handy. Let everyone salt their own to taste, way too easy to get the salt wrong.

 

[tops]

How did they hoist that middle log into place-that thing is heavy!

A dozen people or two men. Larry

 

[444 Magnum]

A dozen people or two men. Larry

HORSES. They were cowboys. They never did anything by hand they could do with a horse. Jeremiah Johnson wasn't a cowboy but he shows how to use horses/mules to build cabin. Horses pull the logs up ramps.