Cowboy Collectibles

When you think of Cowboy Collectibles does your mind conjure up visions of young men pushing cattle out of south Texas to the rail heads in Kansas or maybe the young men working the large ranch's in Montana and Wyoming? I'll beat your first thought isn't dirt farmers or gamblers, nor lawmen or outlaws. Well in the field of collectibles it's all of the above and much, much more.

At Old West Antiques you will find gear used by those "Cowboy's" of Texas, Montana and Wyoming. Plus the hardware used my Lawman and Outlaws. The tools of the trade for Gamblers and Saloon Keepers. Even everyday items used by Townies (the name given to people who lived and worked in town).

Stop by Old West Antiques and expand your vision of the Old West. You might even consider starting your own collection.

Chinese Opium Scales

Commonly referred to as an "Opium Scale" because that sounds better than Chinese Scale, it may have been used for that. The Chinese migrated to America beginning in 1850 during the Gold Rush and with them they brought this type scale. Since they also brought Opium with them the scale was aptly named. Hhand carved, the case was made of wood and the long rod of bone. The oldest scales in America dated from the 1850's.

Pictured is a very early set of "Opium Scales", the case made of wood and the long white rod of bone. See this and a later model scale at: Old West Antiques.

Mattatuck Handcuff's

Marked THE MALTBY on one cuff and MANUFACTURED BY THE MATTATUCK M'F'G. CO. WATERBURY, CONN. U.S.A. This company was founded on October 15, 1896 by Louis F. Maltby, a blacksmith, who was given a patent in November 12, 1901. A round key called the Maltby round key accompanied this type of handcuff. This first design is unique in that it has a trigger mechanism on the inside of the cuffs that causes the shackle to snap shut when a wrist is placed inside as it touches the trigger. This company produced Maltby's first, then Judd's and then finally Mattatucks.

You can find a nice set of 1904 Mattatuck's at Old West Antiques along with Towers and H&R's.

Saloon Tokens

Saloon tokens have become a highly collectible item and that has given rise to a rash of reproductions. Recently, I read that 90 plus percent of all the saloon tokens sold on eBay were in fact not authentic saloon tokens. So you need to get up to speed if you are going to start a collection.

I spoke with a collector of saloon tokens who has spent the last 40 plus years studying and collecting tokens. He mentioned that for the most part all the new tokens coming on the market are being dug up. If that is the case it gives you an idea of how popular collecting saloon tokens has become and also how difficult it is to put a new collection together.

At Old West Antiques you will find a hand full of authentic period saloon tokens that are all in nice to very nice condition. Stop by and check out the newly listed tokens and in the very near future a collection of 145 shot glasses will be added to the site.

We at Old West Antiques enjoy talking about collectibles and in particular Old West items so don't hesitate to email us or give us a call.

P.S. keep in mind that Old West Antiques would love to talk to you about listing your items.

P.P.S. we can also provide a seasoned group of Old West Reenactors for your upcoming events.

American Engraved Powder Horns

American Engraved Powder Horns, the Golden Age, 1755-1783 by John S. duMont, 1978. This book is one of the bibles used in the collecting of golden age powder horns. This book is No. 301 of a 1500 limited edition. The book is in excellent condition with no bumps, tears or creases.

Find this book and many more out-of-print books at www.oldwestantiques.biz

We at Old West Antiques enjoy talking about collectibles and in particular Old West items so don't hesitate to email us or give us a call.

P.S. keep in mind that Old West Antiques would love to talk to you about listing your items.

P.P.S. we can also provide a seasoned group of Old West Reenactors for your upcoming events.