crstrode
Member
Unless he is a lefty . ..
Line shack 1909
- Thread starter OLDSTER
- Start date
Unless he is a lefty . ..
UncleEd
Member
Very, very possible. It was a popular
cartridge for the six-shooter and the
92 Winchester.
For every day use such as harvesting
small game or getting rid of nuisance
critters, the .32-20 got the job done.
By 1909 gents didn't need "man killer"
calibers like the .45. If they needed
more oomph, they'd get a rifle in
30-30 or 30-06.
I think those are rifle cartriges larger than 32-20. Remember, by 1909 the .32 spl. and 30-30 were popular calibers out west, used in the Winhester model 94.
Having spent a night or two in line shacks, I can appreciate some of the advances we've seen during our time. Here's an old, old picture of yours truly at a pretty nice line shack along with my Kelpie stock dog. (It looks like it was taken at a time when I had been into town and could afford a new pair of Wranglers.)
As you can see, there was a big picture window...albeit though cracked. You can see one of the other guy's saddle there on the right side of the window. Yep. The saddles were kept inside. There was no tack room.
Also, there was no indoor plumbing, but there was a nice spring in back of the shack where someone had run some black pipe indoors so the inhabitants could honestly say there was running water.
The wood stove had a hot water jacket on it, so there was hot water to wash dishes. It was an old cook stove...meant for cooking and not necessarily heating. When it got a little chilly, you'd have that cook stove going, plus be wearing some cold weather gear to boot. I don't think the owner necessarily built that line shack for comfort, but it was one of the better ones I've seen. I wasn't one of the "permanent" residences, but I spent a couple of nights there. Although many years ago, one thing I remember very clearly. There was an abundance of mouse droppings all over the place. I remember having to sweep the mouse manure off my bunk before I put my bedroll down. It's a wonder we didn't all come down with Hantavirus. I'd bet the ranch that the line shack in the OP's picture had its share of mouse poop, too.
In regards to the holster in the OP's picture...I'm thinkin' he just used what he had and put it where it was out of the way but still somewhat accessible. Remember, he wasn't planning on doing any fast drawing.
As you can see, there was a big picture window...albeit though cracked. You can see one of the other guy's saddle there on the right side of the window. Yep. The saddles were kept inside. There was no tack room.
Also, there was no indoor plumbing, but there was a nice spring in back of the shack where someone had run some black pipe indoors so the inhabitants could honestly say there was running water.
The wood stove had a hot water jacket on it, so there was hot water to wash dishes. It was an old cook stove...meant for cooking and not necessarily heating. When it got a little chilly, you'd have that cook stove going, plus be wearing some cold weather gear to boot. I don't think the owner necessarily built that line shack for comfort, but it was one of the better ones I've seen. I wasn't one of the "permanent" residences, but I spent a couple of nights there. Although many years ago, one thing I remember very clearly. There was an abundance of mouse droppings all over the place. I remember having to sweep the mouse manure off my bunk before I put my bedroll down. It's a wonder we didn't all come down with Hantavirus.
I'd bet the ranch that the line shack in the OP's picture had its share of mouse poop, too.
In regards to the holster in the OP's picture...I'm thinkin' he just used what he had and put it where it was out of the way but still somewhat accessible. Remember, he wasn't planning on doing any fast drawing.
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smoothshooter
Member
This guy probably sees his gun as a survival tool, and as such a quick and efficient draw is not nearly important as just having a gun available somewhere on his person to deal with the occasional critter that does not shoot back. Any human encounters he may have will not be a surprise, and he would have a little time to swing his holster around to his strong side, if things did not look right.
I have found it interesting that most ranch hands from about the mid 1880's and later did not carry guns of any kind, and lots of them didn't even own one. Several of the larger ranches would fire a hired hand on the spot if found with a gun.
Ranch owners and foremen considered firearms a no-no amongst groups of rough men who had a propensity to drink and fight.
Avoidance of gun accidents was a concern too.
Had not heard or read that before. Interesting. I have read that rifles were more prevalent than handguns.
Perhaps the rules depended on where one was. In a lonely line shack, surely a weapon was not a prohibited item.
ancient-one
US Veteran
.Having spent a night or two in line shacks, I can appreciate some of the advances we've seen during our time. Here's an old, old picture of yours truly at a pretty nice line shack along with my Kelpie stock dog. (It looks like it was taken at a time when I had been into town and could afford a new pair of Wranglers.)
We had a big picture window...albeit though cracked. You can see one of the other guy's saddle there on the right side of the window. Yep. We kept our saddles inside. There was no tack room.
Also, there was no indoor plumbing, but we had a nice spring in back of the shack that we ran some black pipe indoors so we could honestly say we had running water.
The wood stove had a hot water jacket on it, so we could have hot water to wash dishes. It was an old cook stove...meant for cooking and not necessarily heating. When it got a little chilly, we'd have that cook stove going, plus be wearing some of our cold weather gear. I don't think the owner necessarily built that line shack for comfort, but it was one of the better ones I've seen.
In regards to the holster in the OP's picture...I'm thinkin' he just used what he had and put it where it was out of the way but still somewhat accessible. Remember, he wasn't planning on doing any fast drawing.
It look that hat is broke in just right.
"ever skin Grizz....................."
"to many coals, saw it right off".
One of my all time favorites flicks.
Plus there is nothing like sleeping under the stars and hearing little feet, scampering here and there, as you try to sleep.
It is the big "Sniff, sniff" that gets my attention !!
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I think most of the thoughts here are somewhat skewed. Look at most of the photos of the cowboys of the 1880 1910 era. Almost all had firearms... oh and knives prevalent in the picture. I think in this picture the fellow just wanted to look like a hard nosed deperado type and made sure the gun could be seen. I had a couple of rigs from the early part of the 1900s at one time and both had rifle and pistol loops on the belt. So I think this picture had the holster and gun figuring prominently for the photographer or the person whose picture was being taken. All HE Men you know. Truly is a good picture of the real type of men that worked cattle in the era. I like it...and like the things in the background that help to make the picture stand out
Yes, it does..............
Carlton Heston said of all the movies he ever made that it was his favorite. He also said it was the best script he ever read.
Neat photo and a very cool carved holster!
It doesn't look like the holster had been in that spot very long. It's positioned right over a bunch of cartridges in loops and there's a lot of space between the top of the gun belt and the inside top of the holster loop. I'd expect it to conform to the belt and loops after extended use and cause the belt to sag on that side. The top of the belt looks straight as an arrow!
I suspect he normally wore the holster on his right side and repositioned it at the photographers request, so it would be visible in the picture. "Artistic license"…
That would also explain the look of contempt on Unibrow's face!
"Darn fool Easterner…. Only a dang greenhorn would wear his gun like that!"
It doesn't look like the holster had been in that spot very long. It's positioned right over a bunch of cartridges in loops and there's a lot of space between the top of the gun belt and the inside top of the holster loop. I'd expect it to conform to the belt and loops after extended use and cause the belt to sag on that side. The top of the belt looks straight as an arrow!
I suspect he normally wore the holster on his right side and repositioned it at the photographers request, so it would be visible in the picture. "Artistic license"…
That would also explain the look of contempt on Unibrow's face!
"Darn fool Easterner…. Only a dang greenhorn would wear his gun like that!"
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That holster looks to me to be in awfully pristine shape too for a working waddy. The more I look at it, the more I think both it and the gun belt are a prop.
Cool picture and thread.................... I'd defer to Mule Packer is our resident expert!!!
Here on the Eastern Continental Divide, aka our cabin in the Laurel Highlands of Pa. I always wear my revolver cross-draw in a Bianchi 111 Cyclone when out riding a ATV or SxS...... handy, out of the way and easy to keep track of with my elbow, !!!
From other threads I've read ..... most of these photos are highly "staged" .... not like they "snap a pic"/selfie with their cellphone
Here on the Eastern Continental Divide, aka our cabin in the Laurel Highlands of Pa. I always wear my revolver cross-draw in a Bianchi 111 Cyclone when out riding a ATV or SxS...... handy, out of the way and easy to keep track of with my elbow, !!!
From other threads I've read ..... most of these photos are highly "staged" .... not like they "snap a pic"/selfie with their cellphone
Bet if he peeled off the lid his forehead would
be as white as a baby's butt.
be as white as a baby's butt.
ancient-one
US Veteran
Neat photo and a very cool carved holster!
It doesn't look like the holster had been in that spot very long. It's positioned right over a bunch of cartridges in loops and there's a lot of space between the top of the gun belt and the inside top of the holster loop. I'd expect it to conform to the belt and loops after extended use and cause the belt to sag on that side. The top of the belt looks straight as an arrow!
I suspect he normally wore the holster on his right side and repositioned it at the photographers request, so it would be visible in the picture. "Artistic license"…
That would also explain the look of contempt on Unibrow's face!
"Darn fool Easterner…. Only a dang greenhorn would wear his gun like that!"
The five cartridges that stand out look like straight case rifle cartridges. The cartridge box looks like two numbers-two numbers. Can you enlarge the box?
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I've got a very similar holster that has seen limited use on my deer lease, and the leather, inner portion, has rolled edges and lots of scuff marks from wear against the leg and normal usage. That holster shows little usage. Also, those large center ridge poles were rolled up log rams using horse/mule or a couple of strong backs.
I was interested..... so I searchedCouple more shots of real cowboys carrying the same way
The Legendary Cowboys - Long John
The Legendary Cowboys - Long John
OP
OLDSTER
Member
And the discussion continues.
And the discussion continues.
That horse is wearing that saddle an inch and a half farther back than normal. I wonder why?
I like that chair made from a wooden box.
Big Cholla
Member
I cowboy-ed two summers while in HS for an Uncle and partner in No. Nevada. The area had a coyote problem and of all things a porcupine problem. We all carried handgun on the left if right handed or on the right if left handed. Why, because we did more work with our ropes than anything else and wanted to avoid any possible interference in getting a loop ready. Only knew one cowboy who carried a rifle while working cattle. He was right handed and so his rifle scabbard was carried in a low position on the left side of his rigging.
Big Cholla
Member
Because of how that saddle is rigged. It is a double cinched working rig and if put any further forward the front cinch would be at a position that the rear of the front legs would be contacting it regularly. At the end of the day's work that would create a sore legged horse.
I was born and grew up in Miles City, Coffrin studio was on the same block as the HS. His photos are all over town. Weird thing is have grown up thinking they are "normal" A lot of those old line shacks till exist, many in sad shape. Many of the original homesteads were not any better than that cabin. Tough bunch the pioneers of that country. I am 70 this year and when I bought my ticket to the rodeo I got the "pioneer: discount I ain't no pioneer. I am an Odd timer. I have lived in some odd times.
I've been in a couple of line shacks while hunting in Idaho in the '50's. None were very big. One was built of logs the other was boards. Mice were plentiful. A creek near by & a old path to the out house. So much for comfort.
Many of those old cowboy photos I have seen, the cowboy just arranges
his holster and revolver where it will get into the picture. I believe that
is the case with this one. Although it could be where he actually carries
it, because cross-draw was kinda typical.
his holster and revolver where it will get into the picture. I believe that
is the case with this one. Although it could be where he actually carries
it, because cross-draw was kinda typical.
smoothshooter
Member
Rifles and shotguns were more common, yes.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Here's Fred Lambert, well known Cimarron, NM Law Dog.
Fred, question, is that how you usually wear your gun?
Must be a little uncomfortable when your riding your horse!
I think it's highly likely that Fred wanted you to see his Colt, especially those neat Grips.
Fred, question, is that how you usually wear your gun?
Must be a little uncomfortable when your riding your horse!
I think it's highly likely that Fred wanted you to see his Colt, especially those neat Grips.
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In that country I think it puts the shack near a constant water source for that size log. They are not going to get dragged far. I have been in a few shacks but just to get out of a storm. I would prefer to spend the night outside nowadays as most of the stoves and chimneys are long gone or in tough shape.
Old Arkansawyer
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A rancher from Colorado came to NW Arkansas in the early 1930's buying
cattle ahead of the govt. man. At that time the govt. was buying, killing
and burying cattle in dug pits. Supposed to keep the prices up on live cattle. The rancher was paying a few cents more per head and got his
pick of the cattle.
My dad, a teenager was hired to accompany the cattle on the train to
Colorado. Cattle had to be unloaded off the rail cars and given water
and hay then loaded again and moved a little further down the line.
Once in Colo. they drove the cattle across country to the ranch. The
rancher had 4 cowboys plus my dad. Dad and one other young man
were chosen to man a couple line shacks on govt. land at higher
elevations with fresh grass. My dad's shack was a 1 room with stove.
The rancher came up about every 10 days with food and mail if any.
Come early fall and all cowboys plus owner came up and drove the
cattle back down to the ranch.
Dad was going to come home after the summer but was making some
money and this was during the depression, so he stayed through the
winter. Dad and other cowboys stayed in a bunkhouse which was about
60 yards from the main house. The rancher's wife feed them meals in
the main house. My dad said in early Oct. the rancher stretched a rope
from the bunkhouse to the ranch house kitchen door. Told the cowboys
there would be days in the winter where they could not see the house
and to hold onto the rope to get to the kitchen during a white out.
Dad stayed through the following summer and told the rancher he was
going home the first part of Oct. The rancher must have liked my dad
as he offered to send him home, he and my mom get married and then
return to Colorado. Offered to build them a two room house on the
ranch.
Dad thanked him, but one winter there was all he wanted.
The rancher supplied dad some kind of rifle for the summers and as far
as I know that was the only firearm he carried. Oh, the other cowboys
spent the summer stacking loose hay and cutting firewood. Dad thought
he had the best job.
cattle ahead of the govt. man. At that time the govt. was buying, killing
and burying cattle in dug pits. Supposed to keep the prices up on live cattle. The rancher was paying a few cents more per head and got his
pick of the cattle.
My dad, a teenager was hired to accompany the cattle on the train to
Colorado. Cattle had to be unloaded off the rail cars and given water
and hay then loaded again and moved a little further down the line.
Once in Colo. they drove the cattle across country to the ranch. The
rancher had 4 cowboys plus my dad. Dad and one other young man
were chosen to man a couple line shacks on govt. land at higher
elevations with fresh grass. My dad's shack was a 1 room with stove.
The rancher came up about every 10 days with food and mail if any.
Come early fall and all cowboys plus owner came up and drove the
cattle back down to the ranch.
Dad was going to come home after the summer but was making some
money and this was during the depression, so he stayed through the
winter. Dad and other cowboys stayed in a bunkhouse which was about
60 yards from the main house. The rancher's wife feed them meals in
the main house. My dad said in early Oct. the rancher stretched a rope
from the bunkhouse to the ranch house kitchen door. Told the cowboys
there would be days in the winter where they could not see the house
and to hold onto the rope to get to the kitchen during a white out.
Dad stayed through the following summer and told the rancher he was
going home the first part of Oct. The rancher must have liked my dad
as he offered to send him home, he and my mom get married and then
return to Colorado. Offered to build them a two room house on the
ranch.
Dad thanked him, but one winter there was all he wanted.
The rancher supplied dad some kind of rifle for the summers and as far
as I know that was the only firearm he carried. Oh, the other cowboys
spent the summer stacking loose hay and cutting firewood. Dad thought
he had the best job.
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