An Evening of Passion and Unbridled Fun at the Nukem Ranch

[Just Duke]

.
I found the Passion in the back of the medicine cabinet.
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/1039W.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/1039W.jpg.html)

I also found the bridle with the tag still on it. The bit needs curb straps though. I'll make some.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION2.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION2.jpg.html)

Anyway I had an exciting edifying evening of making leather keepers for scabbards. <yawning from boredom>
The stick is the form for the wet leather keepers to be shaped on.
The keepers all have to be hand sewn.
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION1.png~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION1.png.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION4.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION4.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION3.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION3.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/mouse1.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/mouse1.jpg.html)

[nekshot]

Nice work, you sure have many talents- love the mouse!

[nhrifle]

That's some beautiful leather work

[fouronesix]

Nice work!
I like the GS Garcia "Elko/Star" style bit- a classic design. I think most of those are being made in Mexico now under various brand names like E Garcia, etc. Usually very high quality.

[smoked turkey]

Duke: I admit that your title and original post had me going a different direction. Perhaps your post left out a few details which is probably the thing to do. Very nice leather work. I love the smell of Hoppe's #9 and leather!

[Just Duke]

Perhaps your post left out a few details which is probably the thing to do. Very nice leather work.

No details left out. I have gone from the casting couch to the casting bench now that I have the old ball and chain around. <sighing and feeling sorry for myself> ;)
Wifey was at work and I was at home bored. I did need to get these made. I also have 12 holsters to sew but the shop is way to hot for another few weeks.

[Just Duke]

A ziplock and a few hour soaking in EVOO and we have a some what color match for the other 4 saddles.
After a year on horse and outside everything always turns the same blackish brown color unless it's black.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION5.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION5.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/BillyCook2.png~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/BillyCook2.png.html)

[theperfessor]

Duke, I'm not into horses and wouldn't know a good saddle from a bad one, but I do know good leather work when I see it. Very, very fine job you've done with the holsters and rig. Good going there!

[Just Duke]

Duke, I'm not into horses and wouldn't know a good saddle from a bad one, but I do know good leather work when I see it. Very, very fine job you've done with the holsters and rig. Good going there!

Thank you sir.

[John Allen]

Duke I am so impressed by leatherwork.i have to find someone around here who teaches the basics.

[Just Duke]

i have to find someone around here who teaches the basics.

Thanks John. Most of what I learned came from Chuck Burrows DVD's.

[Just Duke]

Thanks all.

[Just Duke]

Nice work!
I like the GS Garcia "Elko/Star" style bit- a classic design. I think most of those are being made in Mexico now under various brand names like E Garcia, etc. Usually very high quality.
I'm a big fan of the Garcia Spade Bits. Pricey though. http://capriolas.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=38
The bit in the first pic above is the same one Harrison Ford had on his horse during the filming of "Cowboys and Aliens"
I prefer the traditional Santa Barbara style myself. http://capriolas.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=38_69

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BITS/BIT2407512_zps45fb9117.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/warponysaddlery/media/BITS/BIT2407512_zps45fb9117.jpg.html)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BITS/BIT2407511_zpsc14c18cd.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/warponysaddlery/media/BITS/BIT2407511_zpsc14c18cd.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BITS/i-TL2BBBP.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BITS/i-TL2BBBP.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

These 4-1/2" bits are all to small to fit a modern day horse though.
5 inchs is what the horse now a days use.


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BITS/i-9p6GBk7.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BITS/i-9p6GBk7.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BITS/i-fkzv6Lr.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BITS/i-fkzv6Lr.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BITS/i-Zbqczh4.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BITS/i-Zbqczh4.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BITS/i-Bztmq5N.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BITS/i-Bztmq5N.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BITS/Hackamore_to_bit.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BITS/Hackamore_to_bit.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

We still have a box full of these left.


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BITS/BIT21112111_zps77315010.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/warponysaddlery/media/BITS/BIT21112111_zps77315010.jpg.html)


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BITS/BIT21112112_zps704981af.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/warponysaddlery/media/BITS/BIT21112112_zps704981af.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

I have parts all cut off for 20 plus Vaquero-Buckaroo style headstalls. I'm waiting on buckles that have been back ordered for months.
I can get some pics if anyone is curious.

[fouronesix]

My oh my! Some of those even look like they have a little age on them. And yes, original GS Garcia bits or spurs are about at the top of valuable collectible tack- way over my budget. But I do appreciate nonetheless. I have a few earlier California style spurs including one pair by Mike Morales- a contemporary of GS Garcia. What's kind of interesting to me is that the overall quality of current production metal and silver smithing of bits and spurs done in Mexico, like I mentioned with such brands as E Garcia and others, is still very high. I think they are trying to maintain a tradition and not just pumping out mass produced repro items as is the case with so much of the Chinese junk.

Another thing that's interesting, at least to me, is the crescent moon designs in many of the earlier California styles. I see that theme in a bunch of your bits. I think that design has historical roots dating clear back to the occupation of Spain by the Moors.

Anyway, thanks for sharing the great photos!

[sparkz]

Very Nice Saddles and Bits!!!
where can some of those be had at?
Very nice tack for sure (far to good for my Hay-Burners)

Patrick

[fouronesix]

DUKE,
Here's a few old original spurs. Some South American types (showing the Espuela Grande influence) and North American Vaquero and California spurs. The Colt is a 1st generation early smokeless in a Heiser holster. I did make the grips for the Colt. The revolver was added to the pic so it all would be legit for the forum. :)

[John Allen]

fouronesix. I like the one in the back on the right. I looks like it has alot of detail on the spur.

[fouronesix]

The back row has three of the South American types. The one in the middle and similar are commonly reproduced even today, I guess because of the showy appearance and the large multi-point rowel (although most of the repros are kind of poorly done). The workmanship and age of the forged iron and the presence of a heel band to shank rivet on the originals are usually tell tale. And the originals will have a rowel that started out as a single piece of iron (commonly railroad iron), cut into a disc shape, tapered to the edge, then each tooth is formed by cutting and filing.

The ones in the back, on the left and right, are closer descendants of the Espuela Grande. The one on the left is of solid silver except for the rowel. The one on the right you are asking about, is of iron with silver inlays. And, it may be the older of the group.

[Lead Fred]

Dukester, You need lovely assistant to model your gun belt

Like this

81498

[Just Duke]

Dukester, You need lovely assistant to model your gun belt

Like this

81498

Got one!

[fouronesix]

Here's a "standard" 5" Crockett gal leg curb bit along with Crockett gal leg spur.
Growing up in the 50s-60s I never recall seeing any spade or ring bits in use. Most common by far was the common curb bit and once in a great while someone would have a half breed. All we had were the 5" curb bits. And, at least by the mid-1900s, the larger block-headed quarter horses were dominate as was the selection for larger and stockier framed horses. No wonder the smaller bits of less than 5" width were common in the 1700s-1800s with the predominate horses being some form of musteno or the various, thinner Spanish X Arabian types.

[msp2640]

Hey Duke, I know nothing about horses or the equipment that goes with them, but to my very untrained eye, it looks like you have a fantastic collection of nice stuff. I must say that your photo skills are top notch as well - Best of luck - Bill in MA

[Just Duke]

Hey Duke, I know nothing about horses or the equipment that goes with them, but to my very untrained eye, it looks like you have a fantastic collection of nice stuff. I must say that your photo skills are top notch as well - Best of luck - Bill in MA

Thank you. The gear is all for the ranch. Were going to go make cows to feed people.
Most ranchers and farmers are dying off and someone has to pick up the ball. Guess were it.
The huge collection of bits and spurs belongs to a fella that attends the Vaquero Festival in CA.
We are though accepting spur and bit contributions.
We have two of Barbies GF joining us in lieu of the unrecognizable beatings/divorces they went though. One showed up at the front door I thought it was someone dressed up in Zombie makeup she looked so bad. I thought it was a joke.
In lieu of this my neighbor that witnessed the fall out of the abuse took it upon himself to hold huge benefits for the battered womens shelter through his car club.
Anyway...... I'm a pleasant fun going fella living among-st violent angry people and wish to get out of here.
Heck just the other day at work of all places one of the other girls Nancy Kerrigan-ed Barbie with a pipe (only on he back of the knees) and told her she was to old to be working with the younger girls. She barely made it home but is now back out running again.
I have pics if anyone wants to PM me. Murphy has seen the pics BTW.
Sorry off topic. I'm just not really happy over the whole thing and need to vent.......

[fouronesix]

The huge collection of bits and spurs belongs to a fella that attends the Vaquero Festival in CA.


Thought so. For anyone not knowing about those- that collection of primarily "California style" bits and spurs would have a value well into 6 figures! Good reference book on the subject is "Bit and Spur Makers in the Vaquero Tradition" by Martin.

As to the rant... no problem, continue on. Everyone has to get it out once in a while. Very sad. Amazing what "human nature" can reveal sometimes.

Good luck with the ranch!

[mroliver77]

I need to vent some frustration. Point me out a couple of women abusers!

Duke I like this fellows thinking on beef and farming in general.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nIcfh2UqV8

[Just Duke]

I need to vent some frustration. Point me out a couple of women abusers!

Duke I like this fellows thinking on beef and farming in general.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nIcfh2UqV8

Yea he's a smart guy. We saw documentaries he did a few years ago and turned us onto the chicken tractors for organic fertilization.

[ballistim]

Duke you are obviously a man of many talents and if I still lived out west I'd be beating down your door.. or at least sneaking inside your ranch gate just to see what you're up to next. Rifle bedding, leatherwork, and I don't know anything to speak of regarding tack but I do know quality and beauty. I only spent 9 years in AZ before having to move back east after my younger brother died and pressure from family to come back along with losing my kids in a divorce and them coming back to my old home town. I can say that not a day goes by that I don't regret moving back, even though I am happily remarried and have kids & grand kids & a great paying job to be thankful for. Hope you don't mind if I kind of live vicariously through your posts of things I miss or wish I knew more about or could do. Riding up on South Mountain in Phoenix at night and looking over the valley all lit up, or hunting in Cochise Stronghold in the Coronado National Forest, or Zane Grey's cabin in Payson, I could go on but the days shooting jacks and cottontails are what I remember most, you get the idea. I'll just watch my favorite westerns and read my western fiction novels and be thankful for eastern whitetail in the freezer and hope to retire and move back. I'll settle for some holster for my new Vaquero that won't be anything compared to what you make. I'll keep reading your posts saying " someday..."

[Just Duke]

Duke you are obviously a man of many talents and if I still lived out west I'd be beating down your door.. or at least sneaking inside your ranch gate just to see what you're up to next. Rifle bedding, leatherwork, and I don't know anything to speak of regarding tack but I do know quality and beauty. I only spent 9 years in AZ before having to move back east after my younger brother died and pressure from family to come back along with losing my kids in a divorce and them coming back to my old home town. I can say that not a day goes by that I don't regret moving back, even though I am happily remarried and have kids & grand kids & a great paying job to be thankful for. Hope you don't mind if I kind of live vicariously through your posts of things I miss or wish I knew more about or could do. Riding up on South Mountain in Phoenix at night and looking over the valley all lit up, or hunting in Cochise Stronghold in the Coronado National Forest, or Zane Grey's cabin in Payson, I could go on but the days shooting jacks and cottontails are what I remember most, you get the idea. I'll just watch my favorite westerns and read my western fiction novels and be thankful for eastern whitetail in the freezer and hope to retire and move back. I'll settle for some holster for my new Vaquero that won't be anything compared to what you make. I'll keep reading your posts saying " someday..."


Thanks for the kind words sir but,
Please stay where your at. Trust me.
We have abandoned all hope of moving back to AJ or any other township of AZ.
This might apply to ones lifestyle but it doesn't apply to ours.
So here goes......
Big water wars going on between the farmers up north and the people of Phoenix. I'm not sure where they think they will get their food from if they win.
500 to 800K would net us a half acre in the slums of Scottsdale which is New River AZ. The same amount plus some change will buy us a Midwest ranch/farm and include a summer home in town and a winter ranch and 2 guest homes down south.
Hay is $18.00 for a 35 pound bale of hay in AZ. The midwest, lets start with TX $22.00 for 1200lb round bale and $27.00 average in MO. Those look like big shredded wheat for those not familiar.
AZ well water is silty tasting and no one there drinks it. You turn your shower on and it stinks. The indigenous personnel are numb to the smell though.
Their looking at shutting down the power plant in Goodyear several have told me. It is antiquated as it was built in the 70's by low life hippies.
I take extreme offence that the collective wealth deriving selfish recreation out of a quint essential squandering of water i.e. golf courses. [smilie=s:
I find their mere presence a grotesques display of frivolous wealth and would serve the community better as farm or cattle graze. I have always thought this from the time I was 6 years old.
Set aside the admonition that once one hits retirement age that he feels he can just sit back and no longer contribute to repairing a die-ing planet.
The fella were looking at purchasing the ranch from just died a week ago at 92 and was only wheel chair bound for a few months.
You just can't hit a certain age and no longer contribute.
Seriously!!!!!! The youth of today are not stamped from the same mould we were. I'm surely not entrusting my future to the wii, latte, effeminate boy band, generation including that whirlpool of demons running a pyramid scream that reside in a sovereign country absconded from the US territory.


Look forward to 800 to $1200.00 utility bills per month for most of the year. 3 days before Christmas it was 95 degrees when we left.
As I told the wife, "look dear, We can throw a log in a fireplace, We can't throw a log in an air conditioner".
I still could never imagine while on horse at 122 degrees with full gear and rig riding among the Saguaros how anyone could have lived off the land back then. The AZ desert was biologically engineered to kill bipeds and has been very successful at it for the last 100K years . Sorta of a fail safe for existence.
The only way the peoples of AZ can reside there is food trucked in from and average of 1500 miles away. A virtual biosphere supported by the grace of others.......
The women their are hot!!! +++++1 and friendly...... ;)

I might add this also. With the purchase of a bandsaw mill I can build 2 2500 sq ft guest homes for no cost and offer them up for free rent and chow for anyone that wants to come help out. So far our offers have fallen on deaf ears in lieu of the so called easy city life........
Be scared. Be very scared. Ranching and farming is a quickly dieing profession as we have seen first hand. I hope this comes across crystal clear.
I have had many an edifying conversation with many members here via land line and most all are observant and know that all that I make is not for hobby or recreation that's for sure. ;)
If I wanted a hobby I suppose I could build model airplanes or something.
When one arise's daily one should ask themselves what they can do to secure there future food source and include others.
I personally feel as history goes the 70 years of the easy life will be just a flash in the pan.

[ballistim]

I know Duke, all my old friends tell me to remember it the way it was when I lived there from '80 to '89 and have explained some of the issues you've mentioned as well as the border issue & economy being what I hear about the most. I lived in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale (the longest) and northwest Tucson is where I ended up and loved it there until I had to leave. Sure a lot of my memories are because I was a young man starting out to raise a family where all my kids were born in an area where I had hoped to never leave and where I felt I belonged. I remember shooting at Rio Salado where I was a member for several years and met some great guys who where very helpful to a young guy on a tight budget in giving me tips on shooting, reloading, and casting. I learned about shooting silhouette from going to matches there and was hooked. Someday I have to shoot in the desert again, even if it's only at cans or rabbits! My wife was raised in Albuquerque so she understands how I feel, so it's kind of sad to hear the current state of things there but living here things are really bad too! The local economy has really made a change in the way people are here, even from 5 years ago you can see the changes. Retirement may take me to northern MI where I hunted as a boy and still do from time to time, but the economy is awful there and theft and poaching by locals out of work is rampant. I'll have to see what is best, probably would be too tough for an older guy to relocate somewhere else that I'd like such as Wyoming or Montana. Hope things improve in AZ!

/// Tim

[ballistim]

I just read your last post again and remember going to Payson and Heber every day off to look for any work I could find doing anything so I could live in the beauty of that area.

Digging ditch in the desert 15 hour days with a backhoe, stocking warehouse shelves, busting tires all day, willing to do anything to make it in the valley. after getting layed off from the local steel mill that my dad and both grandads retired from back here.

I'm proud of how all of my kids have turned out & all have a great work ethic, but by and large from what I see youth is wasted on the young of the day.

Thanks for letting me remember the better thoughts of living there though through your posts, I'll stay tuned!

[Just Duke]

I just read your last post again and remember going to Payson and Heber every day off to look for any work I could find doing anything so I could live in the beauty of that area.

Digging ditch in the desert 15 hour days with a backhoe, stocking warehouse shelves, busting tires all day, willing to do anything to make it in the valley. after getting layed off from the local steel mill that my dad and both grandads retired from back here.

I'm proud of how all of my kids have turned out & all have a great work ethic, but by and large from what I see youth is wasted on the young of the day.

Thanks for letting me remember the better thoughts of living there though through your posts, I'll stay tuned!

Thankfully through the full disclosure law the Realtors have informed us the wells from Payson to Strawberry have been running dry halfway though the summer. They have since started a city water plan and are piping water into the residences now. Not very self sustaining.
These water programs are set up by the demasculinated cupcake generation and are not infinite.
Prescott has since made it illegal to harvest/farm roof water........

I'm have no clue what media they educate the offspring of others with these days.
Years ago those with insight fabricated limericks for adolescents "pre programmed mindset" for a tool to carry into adulthood to secure theirs and our future.
I will enter this exhibit. Please watch as it applicable to this day and surely mirrors the frustration of my ventures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smspKuKqt5c

[ballistim]

Can't even imagine that!

Hope the Prescott Rodeo and 4th of July is still something to look forward to, but was sad to hear news of the fire fighter's losing their lives.

Can remember diving in the CAP canal to cool off after dove hunting :-)

Never got over idiots from the east trying to grow big lawns and flowers when water was such a precious commodity there, what with the desert landscape as beautiful as it is.

I live to close to Ann Arbor MI where politics and lifestyle is polar opposite to how I live, and am glad to live in a small rural area on my little five acres to avoid it, but I'm working second shift tonight so I am off to work to pay for all the people that don't!

/// Tim

[Just Duke]

Can't even imagine that!

Hope the Prescott Rodeo and 4th of July is still something to look forward to, but was sad to hear news of the fire fighter's losing their lives.

Can remember diving in the CAP canal to cool off after dove hunting :-)

Never got over idiots from the east trying to grow big lawns and flowers when water was such a precious commodity there, what with the desert landscape as beautiful as it is.

I live to close to Ann Arbor MI where politics and lifestyle is polar opposite to how I live, and am glad to live in a small rural area on my little five acres to avoid it, but I'm working second shift tonight so I am off to work to pay for all the people that don't!

/// Tim

Very much understood. I live in a neighborhood of Tudor homes, pools and green lawns. It looks like Hansel and Gretel threw up here. You can't bring East coast living to the desert. It looks completely out of place and not indigenous to the cultural history of the South West.
They were all built under a guise to lure the uneducated cattle out here for the promise of high paying casino jobs. A pacifier.
We have no cultural infrastructure for the masses so most that move here don't stay long. Most fall to the vices this town offers and end up destroying themselves along with there families.
I have made it my mission to ask most I know or met here if they could leave would they do so. YES! they say. Never once have I heard no.

[Just Duke]

So back to the ranch.

We will be starting curb straps this week along with the headstalls.
I'll bore you with some pics.

I do have a pic of one of my assistance.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/LEVER%20ACTION%20SHOOTERS%20SOCIETY/637.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/LEVER%20ACTION%20SHOOTERS%20SOCIETY/643.jpg

[Just Duke]

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION7.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION7.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION6.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION6.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION8.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION8.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION9.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SCABBARDS/NIGHTOFPASSION9.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

Here's a vintage 1000X Stetson that we completely redid inside and out we found at an Estate Sale for $10.00
I prefer the Gus look than the ranch boss look.
With this hat and riding boots on I'm 7 foot tall. lol
We acquired a matching one in White for $5.00 at the same time and that one is Barbies. Both hats are fuzzy.
We wear these to Cowboy Christmas and the hat aficionado's eye's just pan as we walk by with mouths agape. They ask where we got them and know who made the hat.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/HATS/GUS.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/HATS/GUS.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/S1/DB10.jpg

Reblocked Hats to

A Few Dollars More
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/S1/DB6.jpg


Hang Em High
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/S1/DB8.jpg

[Just Duke]

I like this pattern.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement35.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement35.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLE%20TOOLING/5_Resized.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SADDLE%20TOOLING/5_Resized.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLE%20TOOLING/2_Resized.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SADDLE%20TOOLING/2_Resized.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement46.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement46.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement36.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement36.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement53.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/SADDLE%20TOOLING/Floral-Tooled-Saddleelement53.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

This is the same style boots Victoria Barkley wore on the TV series THE BIG VALLEY also including here daughter Audra Barkley. Barbara Stanwyck in real life was an avid horse person and had contributed considerable technical input during the filming of this series including wardrobe. Along with her outfit she wore a Bolero Jacket and matching Gaucho's and a Bolero wide brimmed hat. Pictures here is an outfit that would have been worn on the show or in the mid 1880's.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/HATS/REDNECKS2.png~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/HATS/REDNECKS2.png.html)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BARKLEY5_zps095aa8b5.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BARKLEY4_zps7e44e436.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BARKLEY3_zps9319843b.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w432/warponysaddlery/BOOTS/the-big-valleylg_zps9ff78bca.png

[Just Duke]

I live to close to Ann Arbor MI where politics and lifestyle is polar opposite to how I live, and am glad to live in a small rural area on my little five acres to avoid it, but I'm working second shift tonight so I am off to work to pay for all the people that don't!

/// Tim

We found several 100 plus acres summer homes up around Cheyboygan we really liked. We have them on our watch list.
The King Henry wants 5K a year in taxes if we live there and 11K if we don't live there year around.
Pretty steep for a place that's just price under 125K and a farm.

[Just Duke]

Were back up and running again. Stay tuned.

[Big Rack]

YEAH it's all pretty but I want to know the camera brand the mouse uses, I need to get mine some so they can take action shots of Buddy the mett dog (he's outgrown wiener) stalking them.

[Just Duke]

Barbie and GF's are entertaining 6 headstall thrown in the vinegaroo vat and died black, then bordered with nickel plated spot and red roses on the border with green leaves embellished with leather paint. I'll get some pics of of the prototype.

[Just Duke]

That is beautiful leather work.
E Garcia makes nice stuff. My everyday spurs are E Garcia, with simple dove wing straps, I use the heck out of them.

They sure do!

[Just Duke]

Waiting on headstall hardware..........

This is the donor headstall were cloning.
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/TACK2.jpg

[Just Duke]

This is the style of saddle that we prefer to make in the near future. It's a FA Meanea style half seat. The half seat is anatomically designed and leaves room for male parts and not compress.
I'm not a big fan of Oxbow stirrups. I prefer Tapadaros myself as they are more functional for cold weather, protection and keeping you boot from getting caught in the stirrup.
This saddle is also historically incorrect as they never used brass rings. The were leather covered steel rings.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/HalfSeatCheyenne.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLERY/P1010209.jpg

[Just Duke]

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLERY/calif1890.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLERY/cheyenne1890.jpg


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLERY/calif-halfseat.jpg


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SADDLERY/cheyenne-style.jpg

[Just Duke]

And just because......

[Just Duke]

Dukester, You need lovely assistant to model your gun belt

Like this

81498

Wow! Raquel was a doll!!! Women of Latin decent have always been fascinating to me.
Fred I have an Alfonso of Hollywood and John Bianchi fantasy drop loop belt patterns and belts all done up in Red Leather for Barbie and her two GF's. I haven't finished them due to I ran out of 6 oz leather belt liner. I'll also include a pic of the matching red leather pants belt. The cartridge loop leather is cut to size and ready to go.
I'll get you a pic.

[Just Duke]

An older pic I just found.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BELTS/DEADCOW5.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BELTS/DEADCOW5.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

A rental rig. To bad I wasn't around back then.......


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BELTS/1.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BELTS/1.jpg.html)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/BELTS/2.jpg~original (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/media/BELTS/2.jpg.html)

[Just Duke]

We are though accepting spur and bit contributions. :bigsmyl2:

[Just Duke]

Anyone?

[Just Duke]

Adam, get Tim to shoot you a pic of that old army (McClellan) that I gave him a while back. I don't remember the date on the horn (may have been because I could not read it) I think it was about 1900's.
The tree was in good shape and needed a rebuild on the leather works.

Ping him a PM and have him come join us Mike.

[Just Duke]

Were almost back on our feet and again pursuing our venture.

[collyer]

WOW!!!! That is awesome work!!!! WOW!!!

[Pinsnscrews]

Glad to hear Duke.

[6bg6ga]

Duke I sent an email about a week ago to Helix.

[Just Duke]

Got it! I'm still waiting for your call.

[6bg6ga]

Got it! I'm still waiting for your call.

702-?

[woodbutcher]

:shock: Hi Duke.Thanks for a great thread.That has to be just about the BEST leather crafting that I have ever seen.Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[CLAYPOOL]

I've had to quit cows here in Southern Illinois, bad knees killing me. I now here this great state is going for new water laws on run off, etc. There is (NOW) going to be a cut off of 1000 head or bigger operation. About 40 or so Cow - Calf operations currently in Illinois is that large. Now this law is fluid right now, but as all ways, just you wait and see. All the very little operations of under 100 Cow - Calf's like me and my sister will get the shaft. And gentlemen mark my words beef has been going up slowly for the past 12 years I was in business. Now hogs is going way up too. We will see some high meat prices. Hang on Duke and Barbie....!

[CLAYPOOL]

I've had to quit cows here in Southern Illinois, bad knees killing me. I now here this great state is going for new water laws on run off, etc. There is (NOW) going to be a cut off of 1000 head or bigger operation. About 40 or so Cow - Calf operations currently in Illinois is that large. Now this law is fluid right now, but as all ways, just you wait and see. All the very little operations of under 100 Cow - Calf's like me and my sister will get the shaft. And gentlemen mark my words beef has been going up slowly for the past 12 years I was in business. Now hogs is going way up too. We will see some high meat prices. Hang on Duke and Barbie....!

[W.R.Buchanan]

Adam: been cogitating since our last conversation about being able to sell your Hi Art Crafts.

Since then I have been to Vegas a couple of times and my Wife and her Sister who lives there always manages to drag me thru Casinos and a bunch different Shopping areas.

I have seen numerous hi end restos of antique machines of various types for sale done by Rick's Resto's as seen on the History Channel. I saw a Meat Slicer in Caesar's Palace that had a $20,000+ price tag on it! and the next time thru it was sold.

I went in a shop there that catered to the Cowboy Set with $500 hats, boots, belts, buckles and some tack. A perfect place for your saddles and other leather products.

Also the Silverado Ranch just hosted a big Rodeo Crowd right after Thanksgiving and they had all kinds of vendors on the Main Casino Floor selling everything from belt buckles to pickup trucks. Your leather work would have sold out in two days easily.

My point is that it is all about finding the correct market place for your products. And that place is, exactly where the money is. Like Casinos?

I watched a episode of the American Pickers show on Christmas Day and the Lady who works for those guys bought a basket case 1935 Indian Chief for $8K! It was about 30-40% complete.

They sent the bike off to Rick's Resto's in Vegas and managed to piece it back together in short order in time for Sturgis.

It was the best looking Indian Resto I have seen!!!!!

They had $30K in it, Were asking $40K for it, and ended up selling it at Sturgis for $35K. I was shocked as one of my closest friends recently sold his 1948 Chief with a 30 year old Restoration for $52,000! and had no problem at all getting that much for it, and had multiple offers too boot.

The 1935 Chief was spectacular! Black with Gold Leaf trim! 100% complete!

My point is that they didn't take that bike to the right place to sell it. There is no money at the Sturgis Rally despite what anyone thinks, it is all about regular people getting together to party like hell and nobody is carrying around big money. Sure some rich people show up but the market for any specific type of bike is pretty narrow.

The bike should have gone to a big auction where it would have brought $50K + easily. In other words they left $15-20 or more on the table just to make a quick sale.

IMHO this is not good business. IN fact IMHO it is down right stupid!

My whole point is that your products are that good, it is just a matter of getting them in front of the right people in the right venue. Once you find these places, you'll be raking it in.

Suggestions:
Caesars Palace, and all of the hotels with shopping malls with high end stuff in them in Vegas first.

High End Catalogs like Orvis, Sundance, Filson. Don't laugh on the catalogs, I saw a restored Type II Land Rover for sale for $110 grand in the Orvis Catalog a year or so ago. Rich people get those catalogs in the mail just like the rest of us, and for a movie star to buy a friggin' Land Rover for her boyfriend for a birthday present is not unlikely. All Orvis had to do was sell one, mainly because that's the only one they had to sell!

My whole point of this lengthy dissertation is that selling your stuff is all about exposure to the right buyers. Seems obvious,,, but I know exactly how hard it is to find that venue or more properly Venue's.

Sitting down with Barb one night at the kitchen table and brainstorming places and "writing them down," for future execution would be my best suggestion. You have a wealth of possibilities in Vegas, and I would even talk to Danny of Counting Cars or Rick's Restos for ideas. I'm pretty sure after they see your work that they would help and may even have direct leads to give you.

I want to see you succeed at this, as do we all, and I hope some of my suggestions will help you out.

Randy

[6bg6ga]

I don't know what your financials are right now Adam but I think Randy has some sound ideas in his post. I hope you don't take offense but if it were me and I was needing some $$$ I would chance a car ride and see if there was interest in the tack. The pictures of your wear seem to indicate that the quality is certainly there. In my humble opinion I think the quality of other products out there will not hold up to yours. If I were in the market I would certainly purchase yours.