A box of 3 books came a week ago. One was "Packing Iron." I decided that the spots I thought I wanted were not correct to my period, so I revised my order for a double loop RH and a Slim Jim x-draw. Going with the clipped Californa buckle. It's pictured on p. 101, so that could be found in the 1878-82 period. No involved carving either. Just some border tooling. Different patterns on both holsters though. I don't want them matched. I wouldn't mind if the maker finshed them from different lots of stain either. Anyway, it is a fine book.
The other book was "Cowboys - Trappings of the Old West." Same publisher, ZON. Both hard-bound. Lots of pictures. Coffee table books. Well, the missus & I disagree, but
I think it matches the decor.
Cowboy book isn't very good on townfolk gear, but that ain't the title of the book. And if you like lookin' at pictures of rugged cowboys, and who among us don't,
it's a good book.
The third book was the Chicoine Gunsmithing book. Not exaclty the book on how to trick out your guns (and I would not expect to find such a book), but probably will come in handy down the road. Could have the first week I'd owned my Model P and took it apart to clean the crud out. Nothing disasterous, but let's just say the first part I looked up in my new book is called a "gate catch." You know, that itty bitty tiny little pencil tip piece of metal that sits on top of a similarly dimensioned spring... Well, like I said, I now know what it's called. Prior to this, I only knew what it sounded like when it falls onto the basement floor. Got lucky and found it. C'mon, my '60 Army ain't got a little spring and plug. Who'd a thunk?
Enjoy your new book, BD.
What I want to find is some Montgomery Ward, or similar, reprint catalog from around 1875.
BP