Cowboy Action Stuff

[Finn]

No harm, Slick!
Our grunts were a foul-mouthed bunch too. Was just shocked at the profanity on "Deadwood".

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Just to let Slick, and Finn, and everybody else know, my comments were strictly aimed at what George McDonald Frasier called "The Hollywood History of the World" version of the old west, and not at any particular remarks posted on this thread. Hell, we all swear and, damn it, I probably swear as much or more than most.

[Panache]

Hell, we all swear and, damn it, I probably swear as much or more than most.

But not here on X Marks the Scot. Our community qualifies as a polite society and I will ask all to please remember that.

Cheers

Jamie

[Joe Gondek]

Mr. Gondek, CAS was never about historical accuracy it was about hollywood horse operas. if you seek accuracy, try to attend a NCOW's shoot, these folks are really into historical accuracy.

I'm familar with NOWS but but most oft heir shoots and groups are not to be found outside of the Mid-West.Doesn't do me much good. They do have a great publication.

All the groups and events aroud my area are SASS and I can't get into playing Hollywood cowboy.

At the Salt Lake Cty Gun show SASS always has a table and its members do promote it as reliving the OLD WEST.

As I said before,
I've been doing living History for over 30 years and know that I am tainted in the way I view things history related.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

All the groups and events around my area are SASS and I can't get into playing Hollywood cowboy. I've been doing living History for over 30 years and know that I am tainted in the way I view things history related.

Joe, I know exactly where you are coming from on this, and I have to agree with you. Up to a point. Speaking for myself, I would derive far greater pleasure from this sort of past time if everybody involved put out as much effort to be historically accurate as I do. But it's not about "living history", it's about live ammo shooting.

As far as "living history" goes, the image of the Hollywood cowboy has now been with us for more than 100 years, so it has become part of our cultural history. That being the case I can't get too upset about the guy who wants to dress like Festus in Gunsmoke-- I just tell myself that he's re-creating a character from TV and let it go at that. My favorite "western period" is 1890 to 1920-- cool technology and old west mythology. What a cocktail! But at shoots and rendezvous I usually opt to fit in by slipping back to the late 1880s.

At last weekend's shoot several people came up and asked about my boots, and my hat, both of which are as old timey authentic (1880s period) as they can be without being museum quality originals. Who knows? I might just win a few converts to "historical" accuracy? But even if I don't, I won't let it spoil a day out on the range.

Like you, I'd gripe if it was supposed to be "history". But it ain't.

[Yaish]

Don't forget that a lot of that "Hollywood" cowboy stuff comes from the real deal too, the shows put on by Buffalo Bill. He was the original promoter of the over the top Western myth, even while the "real" West still existed.

Since a large part of his show included costumes and trick shooting, CAS is probably more representative of his shows than the 'real' Old West.

[Panache]

Don't forget that a lot of that "Hollywood" cowboy stuff comes from the real deal too, the shows put on by Buffalo Bill. He was the original promoter of the over the top Western myth, even while the "real" West still existed...

Theatrical cowboy garb that really is authentic period because it is replicating authentic period theatrical garb...

Cheers

Jamie

[JerseyLawyer]

So, Jamie, it's life imitating art imitating life? Wow, that's deep!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Theatrical cowboy garb that really is authentic period because it is replicating authentic period theatrical garb...

That's kinda my point... There isn't really any difference between an historically accurate recreation of Buffalo Bill's wild west show costume from 1890, and an exact copy of Duncan Reynaldo's costume from the '50s TV series "The Cisco Kid". Both are accurate copies of historical costumes and should be appreciated for what they are-- fun.

And yes, it is life imitating art imitating life, and if it gets any deeper than that I'm gonna need taller boots!

[Woodsheal]

If I was to dress like a TV cowpoke, I'd go for Call or MacRae from "Lonesome Dove"...!