Saddlebags of the Frontier Era and what was in them
Photo credits:
Plum Creek Leatherworks for his saddlebag photo: www.freewebs.com/daltonmasters... Rodgers for his excellent airtight kit photo.
Thanks to Jim McCallum for his spot-on George A. Custer: / james.mccallum.14203
Drifter ©NADA Copyright Free Music • Drifter (Spaghetti wes...
___________________
Our friends and collaborators:
Trail Dust Town: www.traildusttown.com
Pinnacle Peak Pistoleros: / @pistoleroswildwest9050
Rick and Penny's Place: / rick-and-pennys-place-...
Batjac JW: / scorpio86ist
Jedi TV: / jedigunfighter
Dustin Winegar: / utahconcealedfirearm
Ravenna Old and New West Vestures: ravennaoldwest.comRavenna commercial: • Video
_____________________
Facebook: / arizonaghostriders
Twitter: / santee2171
Instagram: instagram.com/az_ghostrid...
What you showed at the end with your wife purse is so true. I used to be in the Army Infantry and carry about 100lbs in my Ranger Ruck, my wife’s purse seems to weigh about the same!
HAHA! Thanks for your service.
I joined the navy so I didn't have to carry all that stuff .
@@victorwaddell6530 that is true, my dad was in the Navy and my two stepsons were also in the Navy. That said I wasn’t really complaining about the weight, I was just making a point. Besides a person that weighs 135lbs and 5’-7” wandering around carrying all that weight people bigger don’t mess with you that much! 🤣
@@Lee784447 I actually chose the navy because I wanted to be a diver . I failed the dive physical due to my nasal passages . Thanks for y'alls service .
@@victorwaddell6530 I understand, I love diving but can’t equalize pressure. 9 feet is my max. Thank you for your service also.
My late wife used to call it her purse of Doom one time she kept losing her reading glasses she bought a new purse and as we were emptying her old purse into the new one we found three pairs of her reading glasses
Yeah...I get that!
There was a time where I owned a pair of saddlebags like those. But I rode an iron horse (motorcycle) instead of a real horse. Never the less, I secured the saddlebags to the motorcycle as though it were a real horse. What could possibly go wrong? Well, as it turns out, it seems that a motorcycle can go faster than a horse. (Who'da thunk it?) As a result, the saddlebags wound up flapping wildly in the wind as I sped on down the trail (so to speak). A learning experience for sure. So then I bought a bigger "iron horse", a Harley-Davidson with permanently mounted leather saddlebags. Problem solved, right? Wrong. Moisture would accumulate inside the saddlebags, which would then result in mold eventually growing inside the saddlebags. Then what? Well, I traded in that bike on an even bigger Harley-Davidson geezer glide, (a Road Glide Custom) which had rigid saddlebags and a waterproof gaskets to keep water out. Problem solved... so long as you don't put anything wet into them.
Thanks for sharing that iron horse story!
Wheelgun Dan - I've done the soft saddle bags on a motorcycle. A plastic shopping bag is a nothing item, but when it rains it's gold. Storm flaps and well placed drainage grommets are a serious plus. You can treat leather to make it waterproof, but you can't make it 100% water tight. Mold is like rust, it never sleeps. You can keep it away, but like a lot of things in life, it involves work, money or some combination of the two. Smooth roads.
I'm not a cowboy, but I do plenty of solo camping trips using only pre-19th century equipment and clothing, many of which extend beyond into the two-week range. One of the things my wife commented on when we first met was how much oil/fat and beeswax there was on all of the gear and clothing. I'd not really noticed it, being used to that for years, but I imagine that folks who spent most of their time traveling by horse or foot out West back then might have had a similar relationship with those or other substances for water resistance.
Yes, they did. Wear and tear on some of these "coated" garments would require re-coating them.
Thanks for the historical accuracy, even on the clip with Custer and Sitting Bull. Shout out to the Arizona Ghostriders!🤠👍
You bet!
I look forward to these every Saturday!
That's great to hear! Me too!
Love the humor and handsome saddlebags :) Have a great weekend
Yay!!
And then there was the ,,Mochila'' used by the Pony Express. It covered the whole saddle -- so it could not be removed unless the rider was off his horse. There were 4 pouches for letters, one in each corner. A hole allowed the pommel to poke thru. Some had a cut out for the back of the saddle. Some westerns about Russell, Majors & Wadell's operation have faithfully executed props, and others just skip it and use the conventional 2-sided bags.
Mentioned those in the Pony Express video
Always love a movie with a cowboy at night crossing the range. No pack animal. But at campfire had a coffee pot and a frying pan plus plate but during the day riding only showed a small bed roll and average size saddlebag. Plus all the other things you mentioned that goes into one. Reminds me of what goes into your wifes purse.
HA!
How did they carry water? Maybe that would make for a good episode..
Canteen.
Well DUH, Zebra Dung, But made out of what?
@@catman7153 I've seen reproduction ones made out of wood, a few may have been made of metal and you may even find a few water skins made from animal bladder or hide.
Cat Man most are made of wood or animal batters or a lot of just skin
Well, where are you at? In areas with lot's of water, a small 1 Qt version made of tin or wood. Where water was scarce, bag types holding up to a gallon or more were common. Commercial models were made of canvas. When full, the pores would leak a bit, giving a cooling effect. Leather botas in the South West were used. Also, animal stomachs and even bladders have been pressed into service. An excellent illustration of water containers, and their importance, is in the film HOMBRE. Pay attention.
That cutlery was great.
Thank you so much for all your hard work, research ,clever editing ,and a delivering information in an interesting way I hope you know how much you’re appreciatedI’m not sure how long I’ve been subscribed at least over a year I start out in California as fate would have itI now reside in Arizona which makes these episodes even more endearing
Candy, thank you so much for the kind words and support. Glad you are now in our fine state!
yes, the work behind the scenes far exceeds the video time for sure
You always seem to make my day. I actually remembered that you posted today, and I jumped outta bed to come and watch your awesome videos. Thanks for awesome and cool content. Your Trail Buddy... Morgan
I appreciate that, Morgan! Have a great day.
You too Santee, and as always see ya on down the trail... your trail buddy
If we're going on down the trail...you gotta bring the snacks. I like those little mini crumb donuts.
I do too, but I'm more of a beef jerky kinda guy.
As always I enjoy and learn.....thanks
Great to hear that, Russ!
Santee and the Arizona Ghoust Riders a White Woods Buffalo was sighted in the Delta Herd today. The local tribe loves it and so does the local residences in the local area. I contacted our Fish & Wildlife and requested that it will be protected and no hunting licence issued for this young calf. This was just approved by our Govenor moments after I contacted Fish & Wildlife. The calf appears to be several months old. We got a very rare buffalo and I hope that you guys and gals like this news. My best wishes to all of you.
Thanks for that great info!
Nice video those were the days . ☮️❤️
Good video thanks for sharing
Great as Ever !!!!!
Thank You!
Very amazing video well done and I love listening to your videos as I am blind and I am a white cane long cane user
Funny and informative! Always Good stuff on your channel!
Thanks!
LOVED IT!!!
Thank you!
Great video Santee
Thank you, Led!!
I lost it when I saw the magic 8 ball! Brilliant!
thanks!
Lol they definitely came in handy I kept a thermos of coffee.needles and thread to treat my dogs etc..and my smokes 😂😂saves using pockets on yah coat another amazing video mate
for sure
Very very interesting thanks for sharing my friend 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
You got it. Thank you for stopping by
Dad said once mom was an old saddle bag.🤣🤣 Love all the HISTORY. KEEP up the great education.
As always nice one, I still carry one daily, don’t like things in my pockets weighting them down (old age). Carry everything from my “45” to my wallet, phone knife and med’s (most important). Actually have several in different sizes and colors depending on were and what I’m doing.👍🏼🤠. Have a great weekend.🤪
You sir are the real cowboy deal! 🤠Thanks for watching.
love you guys so funny and lots of wisdom i have learned from you guys i also am a western geek keep it up.
Thank you Moto Master! Glad you're enjoying the vids.
thanks
A holster on the bag is a new one for me.it beats digging around the bag when you need the backup gun quick.
Yes, those were popular even before the Civil War
Looks like our wives have similar purse problems. LOL!! Another great video!
Well, Dustin, those purses are treacherous.
Thanks For Sharing This Outstanding Vdo 👍 Have A Beautiful Weekend 😊
Thanks! You too.
great vid as always ......
Thanks, Dave!
Funny. In the movies they rarely pack but every day carry would include several cans of food, a couple boxes of ammo, fork, spoon, plate, coffee mug, coffee pot, coffee, (pot), flour, sugar, pouch of jerky, bacon, chewin' baccy, first aid kit, spare rope, about 20-50 pounds of oats for the "mount", matches (we don need no stinkin matches....!), wrist irons if a lawman, farrier supplies, wire cutters, spare horse shoes, gun oil and cleaning supplies, well, you get the picture. In the westerns, with the 15-shot 6 shooters, they always had about 180 pounds of supplies that they always carried in those back-of-saddle bags. You rarely, if ever, see pommel bags. Sometimes they'll have a tent in there, too.
Yeah. tents were easy to carry, but without a pack mule or two, the rest of the stuff you listed would be difficult. I think I saw pommel bags in the remake of True Grit...but don't remember any other time in Hollywood westerns.
Great information and great entertainment along the trail! You could use that as your slogan, but of course I would Sioux! 😉
LOL! That was a good one.
This was an interesting video, I'm always interested in how people kit out. Incidentally, a video on possibles bags would be interesting as well.
Thank you! Got it!
I will Sioux !!! ha ha ha ha.... good morning Cheese!!!!! great vid as always!!!
Yeah, I thought it was clever. But then again, I sometimes fail at thinking.
Nice!! Santee good to see another great show! this one is really good! Tell Arizona Red I said hello please, I really appreciate the post card from you guys.
I told him today. Glad you liked it and hope you get better quickly.
Great episode Santee. On saddlebags. I do not own a horse! Or even a motorcycle that runs. But I do have a saddle bag. I have a saddle bag full of gold!
WOo hoo!
I found a cool new channel to sub and watch. This is like a movie, excellent.
Why thank you very much!
I read a-lot {250 books read each year}....and as of late; I have been devouring Western and Mountain Men books and stories. I have learned so so much about the Life and times of the Early to Mid and even the end of the 1800's. With all that said; I have learned that Matches for starting Fires were Called "Lucifers", because of the brand name of Matches. next is that alot of Western Cowboys and Mountain Men called Coffee "Arbuckles" because of again the brand name of Coffee. And again I have learned so so much about Our AmerIndigenous Peoples, Tribes, and the daily lives of Most Indigenous Peoples, Tribes, and Villages. I often think that I was born in the wrong era, as I would ideally Love to be transported back into the Mid 1800's....
Welcome to the club, Quinton!
Equine fanny pack lol ... I have a pair of the US cavalry saddle bags I used them until about 15 years ago when I found out how much they are worth now they hang in my office.. Had a copy made of them but they just didn't hold up bush wacking around following these hounds ... I have some now made from a materiel that is pretty tough .. One think that needs to be mentioned is a lot of these modern saddle bags are huge and people try to carry to much weight in them .. don't want to carry to much over your horses or mules kidneys .. anymore I have just started taking a pack mule .. Thanks Santee ..
I hear ya!
I love your video
Thank you!
can give me a shout out please
where's get your outfits at
Good stuff. My son need some for his bike.
Nice!
saw this a bit ago and rewatched it. how about one on the labels for the sacks in the saddle bag?
Planning on that for a future DIY episode.
Could you do a breakdown of a typical cowboy equipment (personal and horse) with cost at time of purchase any now? Thanks City slicker
now that would be interesting
Hey Santee could you give me a few pointers on how to get saddlebags like yours... or the ones at the beginning o the video of the guy being held up.
When would they have done the stereotypical bedroll sleeping out in the open camping? And if it started raining what would they have done?
I will cover that in a video.
On a roll ...I see what ya did there!!
I like the clip of the movie toomstone. One of my favorite movies. Laughing at you trying to find something in your wife sadlelbag. Thanks for putting out such wonderful content my friend. Belle'.
Thank you for watching!
My pleasure friend.
It was Clint in unforgiving, simple mistake 🤠
Threewolfs 45-70 Thank you friend. I like that one too. Thanks for the info. I think I'll watch them both this afternoon. Nice to meet you.🔔
Hi Santee, how about one on old west saddlemakers, and maybe barbers, iam a saddlemaker, just intrested in what you can find out👍
David, those are great idea. I'll put them down. There is a saddlemaker or two out here I could maybe get interviews with...
You know I think I found your chanel through this video that's kind of cool....
Thank you!
Hi Santee! Great videos, I love them! Could you do one on Old West Horses?
Hi and thanks! I will do one. I have to get a horse to stand still and give me an interview. Very difficult. No, seriously, I will. Just want to do it at a ranch where I can show off different types of horses.
Haha! Good luck! You'd get the whole world flooding to your door if you got a horse to talk in human! ;) I'm writing a book about the old west, and your videos are really helpful! Thanks!
@@bethanyh2607 How's that book coming along?
@@reksie7816 Good! I have it on hold for the moment, but still planning. I decided to go with a bit more dramatized western, like Louis L'Amour's books, but enough real facts so it isn't like a completely different world. :)
Comparing a saddle bag to a woman's purse is funny, and sadly accurate. Hahaha
yes...
@@ArizonaGhostriders funny how grandma can always find the hard candy though 😂
that's funny
I like the videos about old west horse stuff , how about saddles and bridles?
I will put that on the list. Thanks for the idea!
Huh,I figured they'd probably carried vitals in them another word for food santee. But good to know thanks for the information
You bet
Love this channel. I learn a lot. What are the dimensions of the bags you have?
Each bag is 10 X 12 The pattern is here: www.willghormley-maker.com/Saddlebags.html
Ok, I gotta ask. Whats with the T-Rex, LMAO!!
Look in the description for a video "Ghostrider Q & A"
"What did they carry in saddlebags"? Whatever they needed for a short trip!
Correct. Plus a few things that are a long term necessity (matches, tools, bandages, etc.)
How about a video on clothing? Did they pack an extra set of underwear or shirt? Also curious about the vests we see in all the Hollywood movies. Were they for fashion or practicality? did their bedrolls contain rain slickers or ground cloths?
Do one (if not done all ready) on types and calibers of rifles and pistols.
Touched on it, but can do more later
Finding the chap stick in the handbag....hahaha The struggle is real...lol
LOL! Yes.
This brings me to a question I always ask myself when I watch a western film. The heroes ride long distances for weeks or days, but have hardly any luggage. They have saddlebags, but they don't look heavily packed. Plus a thin blanket. But no cooking utensils, no jacket, no change of clothes. But when they arrive in El Dorado, they are clean, not a bit sweaty, not a speck of dust. Okay, Hollywood. But what did such trips actually look like? Or did they hardly exist at all?
Yeah, that's Hollywood getting it wrong. You can survive on things like pemmican, a can of beans, and a pound of bacon for only so long. Normally they would have a packhorse or a mule to carry everything else.
Santee, I have a question about two types of horses. My question is what is the difference between a Hammerhead and Blue roan?
A roan has a coat sprinkled with white or grey. I believe the hammer-headed has to do with the curve of it's neck.
4:11 that was a funny voice crack at "subscrAhbe" 😁I hope it was some hot medicinal tea in that cup, Sir☕️
🤓
Sleeping on the job Santee??!! Maybe i should have sent the dinosaur to wake you!😃😃😃 you should hear me laughing as you went through the hand bag to get the chap stick!😂😂😂
The husband's nightmare!
Arizona Ghostriders 😄😄
Can you make a video about old west raincoats?
Probably not enough info out there for raincoats, or slickers, but I can do an episode and implement that.
The purse ending is so true.
LOL!
Where would they carry a small coffee pot? Or did they just use the cup to make coffee?
Depends. If it's just you, you can certainly cook coffee in a tin cup. Otherwise you can put a pot in a bedroll
@@ArizonaGhostriders Thanks.
Hey Santee, Can you please shed some light on Prisons in the Old West? Thanks! Best, Mike
The old grey bar hotel, eh? I will put that on the list and try to "lock down" some facts for ya.
Arizona Ghostriders Much obliged!
Wife another name for horse. Mount, old bag, walks around carrying a large bag. Your on a roll ! Santee.
Man, you better re-watch this or you're gonna get in trouble with your missus!
@@ArizonaGhostriders Not your Mrs of course! Me I'm a bachelor and that is how I'll stay.
I have western type saddle bags on my Harley 20 dollars at a flea market 👍 i couldnt pass them up...cowboys had same kinda stuff i carry grub guns ammo tools
Awesome! Make 'em work!
Do a tour of your town
What do they carry in the boots on the back of stagecoaches
That was the luggage carrier. If it couldn't fit in here, they secured it to the top of the coach where those rails are.
Luggage.
Now I wonder, people had backpacks, right?
They were called "knapsacks"
Huh... That almost sounds German.@@ArizonaGhostriders
Didn't you find a kit hen sink in there? I'm willing to bet my life there was enough room for one!
LOL!
What about reloading supplies. I've got a WINCHESTER .44WCF reloading tool. That, plus primers, powder, and lead would take up some room. I suspect cowboys didn't pack these neccesities. Maybe the four wheeled mobile chef took care of the camp's ammo supplies.
There was a version of a hand-loader, but it was big. I'm not saying it wouldn't be in saddlebags, but it might have been more logical to take boxes of ammo.
Yeah, the cookie probably had that stuff stored away!
Lol, "equine fanny packs" this is the only way I will refer to saddle bags from now on!!
Thanks!
Like me looking through my wife's purse...how do they find anything?
I have no idea!
That sue thing cracked me up
🤠
That looks like my wife's purse it weighed about 20 pounds. She did have a Colt Combat Commander in 45ACP with spare magazines in it so.
HAH! Well, she has good taste
She picked a good gun.it definitely makes a impression.on those on the other end.
What was the other word he used for horse?
Cayuse?
@@ArizonaGhostriders yes, thank you very much. Been watching you guys keeping the old west alive for a couple years now, I appreciate that
Like the vids could you do 1 about the children of the west
Will put it on the list! There's some good info on that.
Just glad it is about old west saddlebags and not old hag saddlebags. :)
Me too.
I wonder if a ceramic plate would be carried in a salldebag back then . I'd imagine a tin or pewter plate would be a better choice . Cutting food on a ceramic plate dulls your knife quickly , but tin and pewter are softer than knife steel . I wouldn't let my best friend use my knife to cut a steak on a ceramic plate . Besides , I reckon the missus would get madder than a wet hen if her fella rode off and left her China set missing a piece . Was there an equivalent of a military mess kit back in the Old West days ? How about making a video about canteens and water containers in the Old West ?
The tin plate (like the one in the video) is so much lighter than ceramic. I should make a video about what the cavalry carried. Good idea! Already got canteens on the list, thanks Victor!
What saddle bags do you have there?
Ones I made
I remember when my mom would have me hunt down something in her purse for her while she was driving...there's a reason I still call a woman's purse a 'bottomless pit'....so many little pockets in that one she used...
Yes!! My memory as well.
Ha ha "take your hands from my sadlebags or i....goin to do something different from general Custer" lol always learning from the ghostriders.
Thanks!
I’ve owned many saddles through the years but never a set of saddlebags! Don’t know why just never did! Great video
They are darned cool. Sadly, mine have only been on a horse once. Ony my shoulder a dozen or more times!
@@ArizonaGhostriders well I say whatever works! Looking for a set now
I guess the answer then is, anything that you might need and that can fit
Yup!
Western are always hilarious you see him riding and he has nothing with him he stops for the night has got a coffee pot saucers silverware everything he needs food things out of that one little tiny saddle bag
Those items were wrapped in the bedroll behind the saddle.
great video, out of curiosity could you talk about gamblers cheating devices.....its for research purposes
I have it on the list. Will try to get to that one soon.
👍🤗
🥃
You know in seven decades of watching westerns you almost never see what guys put in these things. In Hombre they held Newnanz dirty laundry!!!! A woman's purs is a universe into itself
They were like backpacks in those movies.
Hahaha I think I need a ghost to shoot a gun in the morning to wake me up xD The alarm just doesn't cut it anymore! Wow didn't know there were so many different kinds of saddlebags. So cool! LOLOL the chapstick :D It always manages to evade us!
Thanks for watching...and learning...and maybe giggling!
Arizona Ghostriders Good video#113.
Even when my wife asks for something out of her purse, I bring her the purse
Mother said a gentleman never looks in a ladies purse.
Don't know if you remember the old song SHE CAN'T FIND HER KEYS
I have a spare bandanna, a multitool, bug repellent, bug bite meds, fire maker, length of string and rope. Compass, hoof pick, gloves, stampede string, manual flashlight and sunglasses. And a collection of miscellaneous B/S.
1800 style bug out bag.great videos.by the way,my house has a real ghost.we call her the calico girl.she is 5'4" red hair tied in a bun and wears a calico dress.looks to be about 19yrs old.
You can make an alarm clock out of that shot gun.
Yeah....don't give that ghost any ideas!