STARTIN' OUT
Those who lived out on the western frontier had a different code of justice from those law abiders back east. Any fool dumb enough to attack you with the desire to insult your good name, rob, beat or otherwise cause your demise deserved to be put six feet under. The good and bad citizens of the west were well armed and ready to do battle with anyone who dared cross their path with bad intentions.
The cowboy’s were the exception; very few carried a six-shooter on their hip. They needed the agility of movement while mounted and the less weight they carried the less exhausted they would be at the end of the long hard days.
Not to mention the fact guns and bullets cost quite a bit and cowboys on average couldn’t afford to practice and maintain this type of weapon on the open range. Most carried a lightweight rifle which could be used for whatever the need be.
When it came to basic gear needed on a cattle drive, most all cowboys were outfitted the same. The wide brimmed hat provided protection from the blazing sun, and helped to keep rain and even snow from striking the cowboys face. He also used it when he needed to warn or get the attention of another cowpoke from a distance.
Since a standard coat was too cumbersome to wear out on the trail, he substituted a vest for a coat. Only in bitter cold or during dust storms did he seek the comfort and protection of a duster, a long canvas coat he carried usually tied to the back of his saddle or placed in the chuck wagon.
Young new comers who took up cowboyin’ learned right quick to wear denim pants after experiencing a raw saddle ass-burn. Flimsy store bought pants just didn’t cut it out on the open range. Most new cowboy’s also learned the hard way that they needed to wear chaps over their denim pants. Chaps made of canvas were the best and stopped most cactus thorns from tearing and penetrating a man’s legs when moving through heavy brush.
Good pair of boots was necessary, as well as a basic set of spurs in which the cowboy used to help control his horse.
Leather gloves and a large bandana came in handy as well. Gloves aided in keeping blisters and rope burns at bay and the large bandana could be pulled over the mouth and noise during dust storms that suddenly appeared out on the trail.