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Mr. C. E. Avery of Texas kindly shared some of his vintage western photos with us, and we've used them around this site. 

Mr. Avery has published over 100 articles about cowboys, the Old West, and other subjects.  His expert knowledge of cowboy and western attire and arms is reflected in the descriptions below.

The original images were manipulated and framed for use on this site by Red Braznell. Many of the images have outstanding additional tone and detail in their original form.

Visit C. E. Avery's web site.

  From a real photo postcard of  three "want-to-be" cowboys, in perfect costume. The man in the middle has on woolly chaps; the other two have on angora chaps. The men at the right and in the middle have shotguns; all have working shirts and bandannas and hats and the man in middle also has on jumper or brush jacket.

A tintype of man in a fancy western shirt, similar to some shirts worn by cowboys in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show.

An albumen print made by Walker of Cheyenne, Wyoming, titled Cowboy Race.

Interesting image of southwest cowboy probably from southern California or Arizona. Identified as Earle R. Forrest, taken August 10,1901 at Washington, Pa. (maybe he was a Wild West Show performer or originally from this town and returned to it when this photo was taken). He wears a sugarloaf sombrero, cowboy cuffs, shotgun chaps with conchos on the side, a concho studded holster from which he is drawing a Colt Army or Peace Maker, and California style spurs with large rowels and drag chain. He rests his boot on a nice stock saddle with high cantil.

Unusual size tin type with that Western flavor. Man sits with buggy whip in hand, nice looking hat, and some great square-toed boots. Painted background, probably taken c.1870s. This tin type is bigger than a sixth plate but not as big as a quarter plate, and has been well preserved.

This is a real photo postcard made up of two 1886 photos that were combined on one card.  The cowboy in woolly chaps is identified "Jim Kid, 1886" and the cowboy in batwing chaps is identified as "Jo Hawks-1886."  Below the two photos text reads "Two of the Old Guard, copy by Burk." The card was never used postally and was probably made about 1910.

This photo was made around the 1940-1950's and the image is printed on a type of linen paper. Text below the image says "One of the few old time cowboys John Kirkpatrick in action" and "J.S . Hiscock, Cody, Wyo."

A cabinet card photo of two cowboys, taken at Ellensburg, Washington. They are identified on back as "Stanley Gruwell and Oliver Kobinsore" and "cowboys- Ranch Hands, Ellensburg, WA." These guys were probably in the Spanish American War of 1898 as they are both wearing canvas leggings of Army issue.  Both men wear spurs and spur straps.  The man on the right has on gauntlet gloves, while the other man wears calf skin gloves.  Both have on sweaters and blue jeans (rivets on pocket visible on man on right). Photo c. 1898 to 1908.

Here is a cabinet card photo, c.1890s, from Honey Grove, Texas (near Dallas), of some Texans playing cards and drinking beer.

1/6 plate tintype of man, probably a mule skinner, wearing hat, long john shirt with suspenders, pants with hole at knee, and knee high boots with long mule ears attached (pull straps), c.1870s.

Detail from two cowgirls in dress with holstered revolvers, and ropes, c.1920.

Large albumen photo of farm/ranch hands with draft horses, wood barn, out buildings and windmill in background. Taken on prairie probably in the Dakotas. One man has on a pith helmet.

 

I believe this is Texas Ranger Capt. Bill McDonald of the Frontier Batalion Tex. Rangers. Photo taken c.1908 at time of McDonald's retirement from Ranger service. He looks to holding a Colt Thunder or Lighting revolver in right hand, holding a lever action Winchester rifle by barrel in left hand and at his feet is a pump shotgun.