Collecting Cowboy Gear

The "Old West" has always held a uniqueused on horses in modern day Western Parades
fascination for many people. Whether it is theand Rodeos.
memories of watching "The Lone Ranger", "RoyCowboy Spurs are probably the most popular
Rogers" or later on "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza", orcowboy gear collectible there is. Spurs also were
just the idea of the "free spirit" type of life led bymade in a large array of styles and materials.
the cowboy, this fascination has led to a renewedAlthough they were strictly functional in controlling
interest in collecting the gear of the Cowboy.the horse, they were also viewed by many
What are the types of cowboy gear that peoplecowboys as a personal decorative style of their
like to collect and how were they important toown. Although bits can be as ornate and
the cowboy?decorative as spurs, spurs just seem to make
The saddle was probably the cowboy's mostbetter conversation pieces and are more popular
important piece of gear. He could carryto collect. Many make great decorative items for
everything he owned and needed on his saddle.the home.
There are a large number of makers of saddlesThere are many other pieces of cowboy gear
and styles of saddles to choose from. Anythingthat also are highly collectible. Western Belt
from old cavalry saddles to Mexican style saddlesBuckles, although not as historical as the items
to roping saddles and more can be found toabove are very sought after by collectors.
collect. Especially collectible are the ornatelyThings like vintage cowboy clothing and cowboy
designed saddles. The better the condition of theboots are also items that are great to collect. A
saddle, the more valuable it will be.lot of the collectible boots and clothing styles are
Bits, of course, were important for controlling andinfluenced by the Western Movie industry - which
managing cowboy's horses. Bits and bridles alsobrings us to another great collectible. Western
can be found in a large array of styles. Themovie memorabilia is highly sought after especially
ornate, silver decorated bits are the mostby the baby boomers who were raised in the era
desirable bits to collect as are bits made byof "The Lone Ranger", "Gunsmoke" and many
certain craftsmen. One can still spot a largeother well known TV Series and Movies of that
number of decorative, vintage style bits beingera.