If you have already read the stories about the trips to the Arizona Ranch and just want want to see the items just scroll down to AZ028. Stone Knive.

If you have already read the story of the first trip to the Arizona Ranch, scroll on down to where it states SECOND TRIP TO ARIZONA RANCH

The week before the Spring Tulsa Gun Show I received a call from an Arizona Rancher; stating that he had a lot of old ranch items that he had used on his family ranch for years and he wanted to know of I would be intrested in purchasing any of them. Of course I said yes but could not get a chance to see him or the items until sometime in April as I was preparing to go the March 30-April 1 show in Tulsa. . He said that was fine. We again made contact in early April and set up a time. His Ranch was about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Tucson and on the New Mexico-Arizona border and not too far North of the US-Mexico border. It was on the East side of the Chiricahua Mountains, the former area of Cochise, Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apache. It was just West of the area of the Mimbres Apache where Victorio and his group used to roam. I had not seen that area of the State before and felt it would be a great trip even if nothing could be purchased.

I talked a collector friend of mine who had just retired from his job after 27 years to come with me. On April 14, 2007, we made the trip. My instructions was to take Interstate 10 East from Tucson, cross into New Mexico, take the Road Forks exit and give the rancher a call. After about two hours on the road we reached the exit and called. I was then told to head South on that State Highway 80 for about 25 miles. He would meet us there at a specified junction and we would follow him the rest of the way. On the way to our rendevous we noted it was a beautiful valley and there was some development activity going in that general area.

We reached the rendevous point in the approximate time specified and followed him to his ranch house where we met his wife and a worker that was with him. It is a beautiful home with a fantastic view of the East side of the Chiricahua Mountains looking out of the back area of their home. I have included images for you to see. I feel I can. do better on some of the photos and will try on the next trip down.

Before looking at the items we got some history of the Ranch. His grandparents had came to the area in the 1890’s and started the ranch. It consisted of approximately 10,000 acres. Many of the ranches in the area are being sold to land developers, including his. He kept 50 acres where the original and current homesite is. He told stories about the his grand parents and the indians in the early days. He mentinoned a lot of items he had found on the ranch site over the years. He also said he could show us where the early indian agency was for the the Chiricahua before they were moved to San Carlos. He also mentioned that his grandmother used to carry a gun all the time. Apparently the Sheriff of Cochise County had killed someone that was a friend of hers and she did not think it was justified. She used to say if that little SOB (referring to the sheriff) ever comes around here I will shoot him.

We then looked at the many items he has. The items consist of Early American Indian items found on his ranch, old leather and tac used, tools and other items both used and found on the ranch. Some items he said was not for sale, as they still use them. Most of the items seen so far showed signs of use. I purchased a few items and we discussed a plan to sell all he wanted to sell over time. I told him that I would create a special section of my web site and sell items acquired from him in this section. I plan to make another trip to see him in a few weeks. He does not like to drive to or in Tucson. Most of their shopping is done in Douglas, Az, which he says is 52 miles to the South and a little West on Highway 80.

After we had concluded our business he took us to a late lunch in a small town a few miles away. The town has one quick mart/cafe combination. The food was great. During liunch we discussed how the area was changing. The land developers purchase some of the ranchs and sell 10 acre parcels for $6000 to$8,000 per acre. Which in time will make land taxes go up and ranchers may be forced to sell off because of the high taxes. He told of a software developer purchasing land a few miles north up Highway 80 and putting in a landing strip.

As we left them and headed back on the 25 plus mile trip North to Interstate 10 we paid a little bit more attention to the initial stages of development in the area. As we passed one nice spot on the rode a few miles North of where we met the Rancher to be taken to the ranch, I pointed to a that spot and said to my friend Just think in 5 years we’ll see a Wal-Mart right there. He was not amused.

While driving down the road I felt a little sad that such a beautiful, almost untouched area was probably in the initial stages of drastic changes and how that was going to change the beauty of the landscape. I also felt fortunate that I had a chance to see it before the changes became too apparent. My thoughts were with the Chiricahua Apache and how they must of felt when they realized the land they knew and loved was going to undergo a drastic change due to the the arrival of the ranchers and their cattle. Progress is great and inevitible, but apparently is not always befeficial to the beauty of the land.

Below you will find the items purchased on this initial trip. Unless something happens to change what we have agreed to, more will follow, hopefully in not more than a few weeks. If you like the old ranch type items that will make great accent pieces for a Western type room, just keep checking this site and section. Keep it mind these items have been used on the ranch so do not expect prestine condition.

SECOND TRIP TO ARIZONA RANCH.

My friend and I made a second trip to the Ranch on May 15, 2007. Again it was a very intersting trip. More development was seen in the area since our last trip. In fact there is a new sporting goods store being built several miles from any town. The builder of this store is apparently one of the same persons who is selling 10 to 40 acre ranch sites in the area. As I said earlier, development is coming and it is coming rapidly. We learned that the Rancher had done some work on the Feed Lot that was owned by John Wayne.. The rancher showed me a copy of a magazine in the late 60’swith a story of John Wayne, his family and showed pictures of the Feed Lot. One of the pictures has John Wayne on a horse. The rancher said the horse belonged to him and showed my the saddle that was on the horse that was on his horse that John Wayne was riding on. I took a photo of that page in the magazie and have shown it here. I am a big John Wayne fan and one of these days I hope to talk him out of that saddle.

All items from 1srt and 2nd trip to Arizona Ranch are listed below.

AZ028-STONE KNIVEThe rancher called these Mescal Blades used to cut pieces from certain small cactus plants The buttonlike pieces, or mescal buttons, were used in religious ceremonies by indians for there hallucinogenic effects. This small cactus grows in what is now Northern Mexico or Southwest US, in the area of the location of the ranch. The three listed as AZ026 were found in one neat stack. This one was found in a different location on the ranch. PIRCE: $50Picture

AR028AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AZ027-THREE SPEAR POINTSThese spear points were found on the ranch. They make an interesting assortment. One is flint, one quartz and one native stone. They measure approximately 2 inches x 4 inches. They are in very good condition overall. PRICE: $150Picture

AR027AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR026-THREE STONE BLADESThe rancher called these Mescal Blades used to cut pieces from small certain small cactus plants The buttonlike pieces, or mescal buttons, were used in religious ceremonies by indians for there hallucinogenic effects. This small cactus grows in what is now Northern Mexico or Southwest US, in the area of the location of the ranch. The rancher stated what when he found these knives they were in a nice neat stackPRICE:$195Picture

AR026ABLADES APART.Picture

AR026BBLADES APART OTHER SIDE Picture

AR025-POTSHERD AND FOUR ARROW HEADSThe arrowheads were found in different locatins on the ranch. The Potsherd was found in the roots of a tree blown over in a storm. The rancher and his wife was looking at an entrance to what appeared to be an entrance to a small cave which had Indian habitation signs. They sit down to rest a moment and saw this piece broken piece of pottery that had appently been unearthed by the roots of the tree that had been blown over. Interesting assortment. PRICE $110Picture

AR025AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR025BSECOND VIEW Picture

AR025CPOTSHERDPicture

AR024-AZTEC IDOLThis is an interesting item that appears to be Aztec. It is 6 inches tall, is ceramic and appears to have been used as a pouring container. It could of been used as a cup in some possible ceremony. A friend of the Rancher indicated that it is similar to many items that is seen fom excavations in Mexico. It does not appear to be a modern day recreation. It was one of two items purchased from an estate sale of a neighboring ranch years ago. PRICE: $500Picture

AR024ABACK VIEW.Picture

AR024BSIDE VIEW Picture

AR024CFRONT VIEWPicture

AR024DCLOSE UP HEAD Picture

AR023-CERAMIC HEADThis is the head of an animal that may represent the head of a jaguar. A friend of the Rancher indicated that it is similar to many items that is seen from excavations in Mexico or countries further South. It does not appear to be a modern day recreation. The Rancher purchased it from an estate sale of a neighboring Ranch years ago. PRICE: $800Picture

AR023ABACK VIEW FROM TOPPicture

AR023BVIEW FROM BOTTOMPictureAR023CCLOSE UP FACEPicture

AR022-PLAINS INDIAN PIPEThis pipe has a stone bowl and a carved wooden pipe stem. The bowl appears to be older than the stem. It is a most unuaual stem with a circular wood carving design and designs carved in the flat portions of both the top and bottom of the stem. The stone bowl is 1-1/2 inches tall and the overall length of the stone porion is 3 inches. The wooden stem is about 18 inches long. PRICE: $2700Picture

AR022ABOTTOM VIEW.Picture

AR022BTOP VIEW Picture

AR022CTOP VIEW STEMPicture

AR022DPIPE Picture

AR020-OLD CERAMIC PIPEThis is an interesting old pipe that was apparently made in Holland. It still has a sticker on it and the mark is GOEDEWAAGEN. It has writing on both sides of the stem that is build in the stem. The writing says Ben Fumar on one side an Tobacco on the other. The bowl of the pipe is a mans head. The Rancher cannot remember how he acqured this item but has had it a long time. PRICE: $100Picture

AR020AFRONT VIEW.Picture

AR020BSTEM WITH TAG WRITING Picture

AR020CFACEPicture

AR020DSTEM WRITING OTHER SIDEPicture

AR019-OLD MOCCASINSThis is a well worn pair of old moccasins, with tin bangles and beadwork. They were purchased by the Rancher at an estate sale in Missouri years ago. PRICE: $250Picture

AR019ABOTTOM OF MOCCASINSPicture

AR019BSIDE VIEWPicture

AR018-OLD WHISKEY BOTTLEThis is a quart sized old whiskey bottle that was found on the ranch. It is turning purple. Probably discarded by some soldiers, Apaches, or cowboys after the contents were disposed of. PRICE: $35Picture

AR018ABOTTLE LAYING DOWNPicture

AR018BVIEW OF BOTTOM OF BOTTLEPicture

AR017-STONE AXE HEADThis is an ancient head found on the ranch head East of the Chiricahua Mountains. It has some chips but overall in pretty good condition. This is head is probably from the Hohokam period. According to the information I have read the Hohokam came North out of the area of what is now Mexico about 200 B.C. and lived in the what is now Arizona until about 1450 AD . PRICE: $150Picture

AR017AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR017BFRONT VIEWPicture

AR017CSIDE VIEWPicture

AR016-AZTEC HEADSThese heads were purchased by the Rancher and his wife about 25 years ago when ther were Lake Chapa, Mexico, on vacation. The original price tag of $37.50 is still on the carboard. The big head measures 3 x 3 inches and the small head measures 1x1. PRICE: $150Picture

AR016ACLOSE UP TOP HEADPicture

AR016BCLOSE UP BOTTOM HEADPicture

AR013-UNMARKED RIFLE SCABBARDThere are no maker marks on this scabbard. It is 37 inches long and is made of heavy leather. There is the name DUKES stamped on one side of the scabbard. The scabbard is in pretty good condition. None of the threads are seperated. It is missing the straps, which is not uncommon in old scabbards. PRICE: $195Picture

AR013ADUKES MARK.Picture

AR013BOTHER SIDEPicture

AR011-J RUSSELL & CO KNIFE AND FORK SETThis is an old 8 piece set. Only six of the 8 are matching and the three knives are all marked J.RUSSELL & Co/GREEN RIVER WORKS. The mark is near the handle. The two odd ones are not marked but appear to be of the same age. The knife handles appear to be made of bone. The Russel knives have three rivets and the odd knive had two rivets. All forks have three tines. The Russell Green River Works company started in Deerfield, Mass, in 1834 and is a very popular collector mark. I have heard that the old saying “Give him the Works” came from the concept that if in a battle with a Russel Green River just stick the knive in until it reaches the word works. These are kitchen knives so that would not be workable but the mark is almost in the came place on the other type knives. If one stuck a Russel Green River knive into a bad dude to the word works that would do serious damage. PRICE: $250Picture

AR011AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR009-UNMARKED BITThis is a rusty old iron bit with design work on each of the outsides. There were no marks on the bit. It is not broken but appears to have been sprung just a little. PRICE: $35Picture

AR009AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR008-STONE CLUB HEADThis is a beautiful black stone head that is in near perfect condition. It does have one small chip out of the point that can be seen in image B below. It is 6 inches in length and 2-3/4 inches thick at the thickest point. It weighs approximately 2 pounds, heavy enough to cause some serious damage and light enough to carry around as weapon, tool or ceremonial piice. SOLDPicture

AR008AFLAT BACK SIDE.Picture

AR008BCHIP ON ENDPicture

AR006-MANO STONEThis was a grinding rock (Mano) used in conjunction with a rock bowl (Matate) for grinding corn by the ancient ones. This particular Mano was found on the ranch and was in an area that the Hohokam once occupied. According to the information I have read the Hohokam came North out of the area of what is now Mexico about 200 B.C. and lived in the area of Arizona until about 1450 AD when they seem to have disappeared. A large number of Matate’s and Mano’s have been found in this area over the years. It is quite common to visit a ranch and see several laying around the yard as yard decorations. The Matate and Mano shown in AR007 is a beatuiful example of what one sees in this part of the country. This is just the Mano and does not come with a Matate.PRICE: $10.00Picture

AR006AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR005-MANO STONEThis is another Mano Stone. This grinding rock (Mano) was used in conjunction with a rock bowl (Matate) for grinding corn by the ancient ones. This particular Mano was found on the ranch and was in an area that the Hohokam once occupied. According to the information I have read the Hohokam came North out of the area of what is now Mexico about 200 B.C. and lived in the area until about 1450 AD when they seem to have disappeared. A large number of Matate’s and Mano’s have been found in this area over the years. It is quite common to visit a ranch and see several laying around the yard as yard decorations. The Matate and Mano shown in AR007 is a beatuiful example of what one sees in this part of the country. This is just the Mano and does not come with a Matate.PRICE: $10.00Picture

AR005AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR004-PAIR OF SPURS WITH UNUSUAL ROWEL PLACEMENTThese are interesting old spurs because the design is with the rowel going perpendicular on the shank rather than parallel. They are unmarked. One leather is missing Both buckles are present. I looked in several old catalogs and books on spurs to find a style like this one. I found a circular rowel with the points like this one but it was built parallel to the shank and not perpendicular to the shank. Most unusual and not a popular design. PRICE: $125Picture

AR004AOTHER SIDE.Picture

AR004BCLOSE UP ROWELPicture

AR001-MICKEY MOUSE STYLE TAPADEROSThese leather items were used by ranch cowboys and placed over their stirrups. They would give protection to their boots and feet while riding their horse through brush and cactus. These are only the covers and the stirrups are not inside them. They are definitely old and shows signs of use. There is some traces of white paint on one like it was too near a spot where someone was painting. The buttons on the front and how the items come to a point give the impression it is the head of a mouse. Thats why I called them Mickey Mouse. I have a pair in my collection hanging over an old saddle. If the ranch was in brush and cactus country, as it is in Southern Arizona and New Mexico, the cowboy would definitely need a pair of these covers. Neat old Ranch used items. PRICE: $50Picture

AR001ABACK SIDE.Picture

AR001BSIDE VIEW.Picture