What gear would an 1860 Californio carry with him?

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Dr Bob,

I was just on the web book that James Hunt so kindly offered .... in it, the author describes the fashions of LA and distinctly mentions that an option of some of the calaveras was to be split and have buttons to mid thigh.

So it is PC and I will be ordering my first pair on Friday ... BTW, they are marked down to $39.00 now .....

So now I have all my clothing, a quirt, a Belduque, I have on order a belt and holster and am waiting for delivery of an 1851 Colt (so my character would have to be in the 1852-1855 era ... it looks like the only things I have to start saving for is a pair of Botas de Alas so that I can tuck the Belduque into one of them ....

And, in a perfect world, find a person/company who sells spanish style big (1 1/8" radius) pointy cruel spurs ... and don't worry, they will never be on my boots when I ride a horse ....

So if anyone knows a person/company that sells aftermarket chihuahua style Mexican rowels, please let me know ....

[Grogan]

So if anyone knows a person/company that sells aftermarket chihuahua style Mexican rowels, please let me know ....

Like these?



(Hmm...guess yer lookin for Iron Rowels...Bronze won't do?)

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Grogan,

Actually, bronze is what I would prefer.... *S*

I went to the Lindholm Brother's website to ask if they sold just rowels .....

And I was immediately Daemoned when I tried to use the email on their website.

So I will have to attempt to call them tomorrow ....

But thanks! I had done internet searches and could not find anything for 'rowels' that might work....

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I called and got one of the Lindholm Brothers ...

He said to take the 'www.' off the address.

Sure enough, it worked fine.

But he said that yes, they will sell just rowels ... and the price was great ... far cheaper than buying new spurs ....

So I will be sending them a check on Friday ....

By the way, their website is:

www.lindholmspurs.com

[murf]

Wadd try ebay I have a pair of old style californio spurs I got on ebay.Spurs and tooled straps for about $100.

good luck,murf

[Major 2]

Wadd

When I chimed in early on suggesting a 51 Navy (or a 49 pocket Dragoon ) I did not do so lighty.
The simple answer is found in this book
Colt: The Making of an American Legend
by William Hosley

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Major 2,

I did not take your post lightly, and respect your studies.

In fact, with all the many fine books that have been suggested to me, I have started a WORD document listing all the titles and authors so that I can start reading them .....

And from all the work that I have been able to lightly scratch up, i.e. Wickipedia on 1851 Colts, it appears that they were first in production in 1850, and were a factor (in 1851-52) if not the primary weapon that they became during the later Gold Rush....

[St. George]

Wikipedia is a 'do-it-yourself' affair.

Always double-check any information gleaned from that site.

Incidentally - the California Gold Rush is generally considered to have ended in 1858, when the New Mexican Gold Rush began.

The 49ers who stayed found the land unbelievably productive, and ultimately California's great wealth came not from its mines but from its farms.

Remember too - the large, 6"-rowelled 'Espuelas Grandes' were designed for use by a mounted man, and not for town use.

The slightly smaller versions are often referred to as 'Chihuahua' spurs, because of their purchase at the big Trade Fairs in that border region.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

St, George,

First, I would like to thank you for your kind help and guidance .... without it I would be much less knowlegeable than I am today.

Yours and the other voices in hear have pointed where to look.

As I have said before, I am fortunate to live in a capital city ... I have already been to the California Room for a talk on Dashielle Hammett (way out of our historical era), so I know where I need to go next ... I see me having my nose in books for the next three months ... which in itself is good; it gives me a direction.

Like any massive movement (the Oklahoma Land Rush comes immediately to mind) it always seems it was not the participants, but the people who supplied (sutlers) and moved the particiapants (railroads) that became the Leland Stanfords and Charles Crockers ... in fact, if I remember right all of the Big Four who pushed the railroad through gained their wealth through supplying the '49ers; Huntington and Hopkins were partners in a hardware company; Stanford operated a grocery business with his brothers; and Crocker was a dry goods merchant. Kind of the supply chain coming full circle ....

Regarding spurs, I talked to one of the the Lindholm Brothers who is going to supply me with 'Chihuahua' style rowels to go in my normal spurs at a quarter of the cost of new spurs ....

So now I am just looking for a pair of inexpensive Botas de Alas ,,, an oxymoron if I ever saw one .... LOL

[Mogorilla]

While Chuck Burrows of Wild Rose Trading Co. makes the best looking Botas to be found (in my opinion), they can be made fairly inexpensively.   Chuck kindly posted historically accurate patterns on the leather forum, just look in the back pages.   A trip to tandy's can get you semi-accurate leather or Crazy Crow can get you simulated smoked brain tan, that is really close looking to the real thing.  (I have both real brain tan and the simulated, hard to tell them apart).