El Buscaderos-Cowboy Action Shooting-Feature

As any Cowboy Action Shooter knows, the cost of "gearing up" can be staggering. The basic needs can be handled with modest investment but it is the wants that really costs. And we all know that want and need have never been connected. The working cowboy of the 1870s and 80s earned about $100 for driving 1000 cattle for three months. Often he spent that in one night on gambling, whiskey and "soiled doves". However the cowboy had some equipment needs also and they were no less of an impact on his budget. The following are the basic needs of the working cowboy. Most of the prices are from the Montgomery Wards catalogs of the 1880s.

Horse $35.00 (sometimes supplied by the ranch)
Swell fork saddle $40.00
Single-ear bridle $2.30
Saddle bags $5.00
Braided leather lariat $7.50
Flat-brimmed Stetson hat $10.00
Leather vest $3.00
Collarless cotton shirt $1.25
Kerchief $.10
Shotgun chaps and pants $8.00
Leather boots $20.00
Spurs $.70
Rain slicker $2.75
Colt "peacemaker" $12.20
Cartridge belt with holster $2.00
Winchester rifle $20.50

While a youngster or someone who was past his "prime" might get by for about half of this $135, a top hand would buy the best hat, boots and saddle he could find. Often these cost twice as much as the horse.