A true made up tale of the west...

[Scattered Thumbs]

In one episode I saw recently, Hoss had a 1875 Remington.

Slim

Eric Cartwright (Hoss) was on the show from 1959 to 1972. Guns got upgraded throughout the series.

[Russ T Chambers]

Having lived in the area around VC for a while now, I have always thought the idea of Hoss riding into Virginia City from the Ponderosa, for the Doc, the sheriff or what ever, was one of the most period incorrect things about the show.  Today, it takes about an hour in a car to cover the 40 some miles.  This is on good roads, and light traffic.  Hoss would have had poor roads, little traffic, but a poor horse that had to carry him.  I would say the trip would have been at least a day or more.  The other part is you go down hill 3000 feet, the have to climb almost 3000 feet, during each trip.  Litl rooster probably has a better idea on what strain that would put on a horse, but I sure feel sorry for that horse!!!!

[Scattered Thumbs]

Now that's interesting.

Meaning, I never thought about that before. 

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[litl rooster]

A man the size of Hoss Cartwright on a sound stock horse about 3mph on the given terrain

[Russ T Chambers]

A man the size of Hoss Cartwright on a sound stock horse about 3mph on the given terrain

Sounds like an overnit'er to me! 

[litl rooster]

A man the size of Hoss Cartwright on a sound stock horse about 3mph on the given terrain

Sounds like an overnit'er to me! 

and better start back on a fresh horse the next day.

[Delmonico]

I ain't the best tack historian, but I know it ain't any where near correct.

Sidees that, why didn't Little Joe get to wear a vest, Ben, Hoss and Adam had them.  Did it have anything to do with what happened to Little Joe on a full moon night.   Woops that was the movie before Bonanza.

[Scattered Thumbs]

Sidees that, why didn't Little Joe get to wear a vest, Ben, Hoss and Adam had them. 

To show off the ex javelin thrower torso? 

[litl rooster]

I n recent years the Tack has improved in the better westerns but the low budgets...That's a different story. Two of the things I notice first are breast collars (not before 1910) and the type of cinchas (should have been, round iron rings with  mohair or horsehair) they used.  The better Tack availble these days is great improvement for the horse and the rider. Over the equipment used a 100 years ago. If your making a movie from 1880 and you reserch the weponary then reserch the tack also. Then the bits also are tricky.. there is a trend leaning back to the old Spanish style in the Western Horse, but some you see are  just cheap imports. The Selleck movies are a good example of what the tack looked like right down  to the long  rawhide Reatas.
  Now I am ramblin it is a pet peeve   However even for the poor historical acturicys You gotta love Roy's and Gene and Hoppy's show/ parade saddles. They are absolutely works of art.  Wish theis forum had spell check, ......oh by the way I am not a teeecher , just a cowpoke.