There is a absolute paucity of evidence for common use on the northern plains and Texas crowd. Those dandies in CA and south of the border, maybe. Cowboys were generally poor which may explain this, but from a practical standpoint put several ounces of silver under your chin, mount your rank little pony and head out after a steer across uneven ground while handling a rope. Maybe a great Californio horseman could balance his way thru that, but I and I think most of the northern plains and Texas crowd would be looking for a band aid at the end of the day. I am no cowboy, not much of a horseman, but my experience in mounted shooting suggests the less heavy stuff hanging from beneath your face the better, that even includes those long "bonnet" strings with the knot on the end. Looks cool on Saturday night though.