Who really cares?

[Two-Step]

One of the biggest topics right now, seems to be about revolvers and what should or should not be allowed. My question is, does anyone actually give a rip if somebody shoots a Vaquero or a Peacemaker. And if so, do you care enough to try and prevent them from taking part in cowboy shooting?

And while I am at it, lets talk about boots. Does it really matter if somebody wears knee high cowboy (cavalry type) boots that have a rubber bottom and a modern insole?

Do you want to go so far as to make sure that people are wearing the proper underwear? If your brave enough, you can check to see mine, I guarantee that what I wear under my trousers is 100% accurate to any era...

In the pursuit of authenticity, where do we stop being "fashion police" and start having fun? Seriously, does any one really care enough to make that big of a deal out of it?
Who really cares?

[Two-Step]

Heck, each and every one of us has an opinion about something and each and every one of them is worth being heard. I have my opinion and you have yours... just because they are different does not make them wrong.

I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. There have been a great many opinions posted in the thread and I have enjoyed reading each and every one of them. While I may not agree with the opinion its self, I respect the opinion presented. Those opinion, coupled with historical fact makes it even more valuable and interesting as it gives me something to go by other than "I think this".

BTW... I have just posted a short essay about rubber, in my blog. I...

[Jeff Smith]

That essay on rubber is precisely why I love history so much! Well done Two-Step.

[Two-Step]

This brings up an interesting topic, that some of you may be able to answer for me.

Here in AR, we have a concealed carry law. The law states that any person having obtained a CCW permit, can carry a firearm, so long as it is concealed in a fashion that makes in not visible to others.
We are not permitted, with in the city limits, to carry an exposed firearm, with or with out permit.
I was wondering if any of you have encountered this law and how it effects the carry of period weapons.
If there is enough interest in this, I may go ahead and create a separate thread for this discussion... or someone else can if they chose to do so.

I do not intend for this to become a "right to bare arms" discussion, only how it effects the carry of weapons for reenactors and living historians.

[Jeff Smith]

Very interesting question Two-Step. It fits right along with authenticity as very few men actually went around anywhere with gun belts strapped on. Towns and cities saw gamblers, businessmen and criminals carrying small pistols in their pockets and in shoulder holsters. I do use a non-gun in my shoulder holster when wearing my jacket over it, just to keep from being hassled.

Jeff Smith
alias "Soapy"
member of the "pocket brigade." (men who carried pistols in pockets.)

[George D Rodriguez]

Here in the territories (your neighbor state) when we go into a community to put on shows, we have already made contact with the city police and informed them of our presence. At our request they usually have a representative initally to check our weapons and ammo. We do this to make sure that they are aware of us and that were going to discharge weapons inside the city limits. A lot of our communities have laws concerning carrying openly and discharging weapons inside the city limits. I handle this aspect myself to be sure it isn't overlooked. On occasion we put on shows for individual bussiness' and this is a must before any performances can be made.

[Bungalo Bill]

Hold on folks. I see that one or two of us is getting his dander up a bit. That shouldn't be. We all have opinions on how things ought to be, but this is no formal organization with requirements on who can join or how to dress. I enjoy trying to be period correct, but even so I do not always toe the line, so to speak. Look at the hat in my photo. I have period hats and I wear them when on camera most of the time, but once in awhile I shoot something impromptu or even forget to bring the right hat. I wear period shirts almost all the time, so if I throw on a vest no one can see I'm wearing Levi's without suspenders (in the video, anyway.)

There is no reason to be put off by another person here on the forum or elsewhere just because he/she approaches the hobby in a different way. There is also a difference between those of us who are more into the shooting sport than in reenacting or role playing or in actual historical research. Even in SASS, where there are specific rules, at local matches you will see many shooters not dressed "properly." No one bothers them, in my experience, because it is after all something we do for fun.

Now if you want to have a real argument, talk to a SASS gamer about his his "mouse fart" loads and see what happens.

[Two-Step]

I agree, nobody should be getting their dander up over this.
This is a minor concern considering so many other things that we all have to deal with. In the grand scheme of thing, non of this means anything at all.
I don't think anyone should hang up their spurs and give up the hobby... and for most of us, it is just that, a h-o-b-b-y.

I will also mention that just because there is a heated discussion about something and opinions may vary from the ones I express, it does not mean that I don't like you or that I want to have nothing further to do with you.

As I stated to a friend of mine just today, if everyone had the same opinion as me, things would get real dull real fast.

Personally, I feel that discussion and debate is important to the pursuit of knowledge. Those that have opinions that differ form others should encourage us to research, study, learn, and educate.
After all, had Columbus gave in to the general opinions of his time, the world may still be flat. LOL

[C. F. 'Charley' Eckhardt]

There are a lot of Colt replicas--non-Colt--that are a lot closer to the originals than even the Ruger Vaquero, & they're a BUNCH cheaper than either original Colts or Ruger Vaqueros. My original Colt I rescued from oblivion--it had been a Christie conversion to .357 mag. It cost me time & a bundle to get it re-converted. I never got a letter on it so I don't know what caliber it originally was, but it's .45 Colt now. I use a short-barreled (3½") replica, but it does have an ejector rod. I claim it's 'special ordered' from Colt if anyone asks.

[Jeff Smith]

Again, well said Two-Step! Discussions are what it is all about! We are all passionate about the "old west" or we would not be sitting at our computers going over what each of us has to say. Naturally fighting about it is no fun and unproductive. I may not mention everytime I learn something new here but it happens daily. I'm not here to prove a point or be "right." I'm here because I like learning about the old west. I posted this recently but it fits here well with what you said Two-Step...

When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit. ~Ayn Rand

[Becky Coffield]

Good golly. I never thought about checking underwear for accuracy! I don't want to be beheaded here, but I'm with Two-Step on this. I just came from the Mesa Old West Days Festival. Lots of "period correct attire" was outstanding. But, correct or not, I appreciated everyone who dressed up in their costumes (oops...guess I'm politically incorrect here) and looked like they were having fun.

[Two-Step]

All right boys and girls... I think that we can all agree that all of us care at least a little. Otherwise, this thread would not be nearly as popular as it is.
But, I truly feel that this thread has served it's purpose and that everyone that contributed has taken something from it.

What you took from this thread may not be what I took from it. But, that is okay by me... I did not start this thread to change anyone's opinions. But, hopefully, like me, you took the que to research something that you might not have otherwise learned about.
How many of you knew, before this thread that "sneakers" was an old west era invention? If not for this thread and some of the questions raised, I would probably never have known it.

Anyway, good luck and thanks for taking part. But, as I said before, I think that this thread has served it's purpose.