ponchos?

[Spinning Guns]

Does anyone know if people wore ponchos in the late 1800 early 1900? They would be warm and I think easy to shoot in if the would be proper for the period.

[Spinning Guns]

I guess I should tell you why I am looking for something like a poncho. I am a hand spinner (both wheel and drop spindle) and I am looking for things to make with my handspun thread that would be correct for our time period.

[Catawba Kate]

Spinning Guns, here's what I found on ponchos. You got me curious as I'd never thought about where or when they came from. Hope this helps! :)



The poncho has lowly origins. The Jesuit missionaries who came to northern Argentina in the 16th century, exasperated by the tendency of the natives to wander about naked, threw ponchos over them to keep them modest. The poncho is, if you think about it, the sparest and cheapest garment imaginable: a blanket with a slit in the middle.

But it is warm and practical, and it soon spread throughout the Andes. Today, it is worn from Colombia to Patagonia, especially by horsemen, who spread its folds over their mounts for added warmth.

[Catawba Kate]

Oh and as for shooting in one, you may want to borrow one before you go to the trouble (unless you just want one for a fashion statement). I tried to shoot in one several years back and it was a pain!! Stuff just kept getting in the way.

[Boss Lady]

I've tried shooting while wearing a poncho too. Mine has long fringe on it and doesn't allow for a lot of free movement. Kate's right. They're better if you just want to look good and keep warm.

[Lizzie Marie]

I don't even shoot in a coat...I always take it off to actually shoot, freeze while shooting and put it back on QUICKLY....never shot in a poncho....

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

never tried it but I am thinking the fringe hanging down parts would get in the way of grabbing for gunns and ammo ect...I agree that unless I could manage my gun belt OVER a coat I dont think I would bother with one either.
'coarse it is generallyhot when we shoot and I am not sure how I feel about shooting in the cold? Ewww!

[Iron Ed]

Actually, I've been wanting one like in Clint Eastwood's spaghetti westerns. Well... maybe a little cleaner. ;-)

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

If it is cold, and believe me, it can get cold here and yes we still shoot, then I'll wear a coat and gloves (and those little handwarmer packets), but when I go to the loading table it all gets left on the guncart.