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W. Davis & Sons California Batwing Chaps

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
W. Davis & Sons California Batwing Chaps
Very showy studded chaps by a scarce San Francisco maker. Fancy two-tone studded lettering on the legs: "Hoots - Boots", studs along the pockets, cuffs and wings. Well-marked with the belt shaped stamp "W. Davis & Sons - S. F. Cal." Very fine, 100% original condition

W. Davis & Sons was one of the earliest saddleries on the West Coast, established in San Francisco in 1861, just six years after Main & Winchester. They issued a set of 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" photo saddle cards shortly thereafter featuring Mexican, Wyoming, and Texas saddles along with intricately carved California Vaquero styles. Originally located at 410 Market Street, Davis printed their first catalog of "Saddlery Goods" in the 1870s, followed-up by a larger 176 page version in the 1880s. In addition to 20 pages of saddles, it featured early Calif pommel bags plus rawhide reins, hackamores, angora, goat & sealskin chaps, rosettes plus silver inlaid California spade bits and spurs. Davis' leatherwork compares very favorably with that of 1 important 19th century Bay Area competitors like L.D. Stone, Main & Winchester and San Jose's Marcus Stern. Davis was acquired by Keyston Bros in 1925.