Great old western cabinet photo! Identified!

[Buck Elliott]

doubt the photos were made on the same day... Plenty of time to rearrange for the picture taker...

[rangerider7]

I have owned or seen many photos of Walter Durbin. He has worn his knife, pearl handled 5 1/2 Colt SAA and cartridge belt every which way a man can. It could have been how he felt at the time or just to show them off for the camera. It also could have been for the situation. If on horseback he might have it at cross-draw. If getting ready for a gun battle he might have put his cartridges in front. If on foot in camp he have his colt on his strong side and knife on his left for cross draw with cartridge belt buckled in front so he could take it off easier. I have seen them every way I have described. I personally think it was for the camera. I have one where he has a Colt Lighting in his belt along with the rest. Who knows but it is fun to guess.

[olyinaz]

Outstanding work guys. Really enjoyable to read this thread.

Best,
Oly

[Buck Elliott]

As for the saddle.... Thousands of tons of cattle were roped from rigs just like the one in the photo... "Hard & fast" was the only option, with a horn like that. NO room for dallies at all, but as someone mentioned, there doesn't seem to be a rope on that kack... at least not where we can see it.

All in all, a great study of the man, his job and his time...

[Borregos]

All in all, a great study of the man, his job and his time...

+1, really enjoyed this thread

[kimwcook]

I looked at the group photo again and it strikes me odd none of the guys have a badge exposed. Rr7, is that a common theme amongst the Rangers?

[20cows]

I don't recall when the Rangers started wearing the wheel star, but it was fairly late, maybe close tot the turn of the century. Prior to that most didn't wear a badge much.

[rangerider7]

When the Frontier Battalion and Special Force were formed in 1874, it was difficult for Texas Rangers to establish their authority. The State of Texas Adjutant General's Office began issuing Warrants of Authority -- impressive paper documents kept folded in their pockets. This practice continued, in one form or another, until 1935 when badges and credentials were specified for all Texas Rangers. Some rangers like Durbin had jewelers make them badges. I have seen a photo of Durbin, with Wood Saunders made in the 1890s, wearing a badge. I would have put a photo of a "Warrant of Authority and Descriptive list" but Photobucket seems not to be uploading right now. I will add it later if it starts working.

[C. Cash]

I've seen interviews from turn of the century Rangers who stated they kept their badges in their pockets. They did not want anyone to know what they were up to until it was time to do business.

[Dave James]

That ole boy has rode a range or two, the boots and that classic mustache ,only thing looks wrong to me is the placement of the knife, may have been just done like that for the photo.

[NonPCnraRN]

I've seen interviews from turn of the century Rangers who stated they kept their badges in their pockets. They did not want anyone to know what they were up to until it was time to do business.

I noticed in the movie, Cahill, U.S. Marshal, John Wayne would only put on his badge right before he arrested someone. Makes sense for someone working alone to be as stealthy as possible up until confronting a bad guy.

[willygene]

very cool old pics more if you have them sir.