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Cowboy Boots

Messages
18,180
That’s a much finer texture than my off-the-shelf sharks! Beautiful boots, there!
Thanks! Things may have changed since Mr. Bond passed but Paul Bond & Osuna used to be the only custom boot makers who would work with shark. They would hand select the hides from their suppliers. Most boot makers say it’s too tough & they break too many needles. And I think there are differences in the hide tanning & curing that make a difference too.
 

hambone71

Practically Family
Messages
690
Location
Roll Tide
I imagine it would be a tough hide to work with. I’ll have to explore Osuna myself. I definitely see a pair of customs in my future.
Thanks! Things may have changed since Mr. Bond passed but Paul Bond & Osuna used to be the only custom boot makers who would work with shark. They would hand select the hides from their suppliers. Most boot makers say it’s too tough & they break too many needles. And I think there are differences in the hide tanning & curing that make a difference too.
 

NewJack

Practically Family
Messages
629
Location
New Jersey
Thanks for allowing me to roll with the big dogs! Vintage Noconas...
 

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Messages
11,369
Location
Alabama
Thanks for allowing me to roll with the big dogs! Vintage Noconas...
Thank you for posting those. Beautiful boots. Please post some detailed shots of the entire boot if you get the chance.

Here's a pair of TL's I recently ran across that, except for the stitch design on the shaft, are identical to a pair that I own. Mine have three rows of stitching, including one row of veriegated thread and a different sort of abstract design. Thanks to a catalog find by @dh66, mine have been dated 1965. I suspect these will fall in the same era. I also posted these to illustrate some of the inbreeding that was taking place between the big three during these times. Look closely at the toe bug of nj's Noconas and these TL's. Also the same as mine.
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18,180
Jack, i recall your posts when you were having these built.
Still the best looking sharks i’ve ever laid eyes on. One heck of a build.
Would love to see an update on them if you ever find time.
B
Classic lines that only Mr. Paul Bond or the Osuna family could pull all together. My style of boot.

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Can’t come up with a PC version of what my wife called them. She liked them too! We were (& still are) big fans of Bob Seger, so I named them my Hollywood Nights boots.

 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,829
Classic lines that only Mr. Paul Bond or the Osuna family could pull all together. My style of boot.

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Can’t come up with a PC version of what my wife called them. She liked them too! We were (& still are) big fans of Bob Seger, so I named them my Hollywood Nights boots.

Thanks Jack. Still beautiful.
B
 

NewJack

Practically Family
Messages
629
Location
New Jersey
when speaking of holy grails, many are defined on an individual basis with an occasional collective agreement depending on the item, thing, or situations. In this case, I know that I am not alone when I share the pics of a recent pair of Rocketbusters which to many, are considered one of the holy grails of Western boots. To say I am pleased, to have procured these beauties, it is indeed, "Happy Trails.." :)

I do have a questions for those who could share a response.
a)I note the two colors of the labels; red/white. I could assume they represent later vs. earlier models?
b) And your thoughts on the numbers that exist at the top of the inside shaft?
 

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Messages
13,669
Location
down south
when speaking of holy grails, many are defined on an individual basis with an occasional collective agreement depending on the item, thing, or situations. In this case, I know that I am not alone when I share the pics of a recent pair of Rocketbusters which to many, are considered one of the holy grails of Western boots. To say I am pleased, to have procured these beauties, it is indeed, "Happy Trails.." :)

I do have a questions for those who could share a response.
a)I note the two colors of the labels; red/white. I could assume they represent later vs. earlier models?
b) And your thoughts on the numbers that exist at the top of the inside shaft?
Fantastic looking Rocketbusters, Jack. Great colors, the purple and turquoise are not to be ignored.

The ones I have are also stamped with a number like that, I would assume it's the model or pattern code. Mine have red labels. I got them in the spring of 1992, fresh from the factory. I dont know if the white labels are from earlier or later. I used to have a paper catalog of styles from back when I got mine, and yours look like some of the styles from back then. I have no idea what ever happened to the catalog. I sure wish i still had it.
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Those Noconas you got are pretty extra, as well. Absolutely beautiful boots. All of your new additions are great. I'm glad to see all of them. You're on a roll!
 

NewJack

Practically Family
Messages
629
Location
New Jersey
Fantastic looking Rocketbusters, Jack. Great colors, the purple and turquoise are not to be ignored.

The ones I have are also stamped with a number like that, I would assume it's the model or pattern code. Mine have red labels. I got them in the spring of 1992, fresh from the factory. I dont know if the white labels are from earlier or later. I used to have a paper catalog of styles from back when I got mine, and yours look like some of the styles from back then. I have no idea what ever happened to the catalog. I sure wish i still had it.
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Those Noconas you got are pretty extra, as well. Absolutely beautiful boots. All of your new additions are great. I'm glad to see all of them. You're on a roll!
Thanks! I cannot say I got here by myself! Sweet enablers, are you, gentlemen! I'm changing the name of Nocona to Justin as I listed the wrong name with the correct boots
 
Messages
18,180
I note the two colors of the labels; red/white. I could assume they represent later vs. earlier models?
I believe the white label is the earlier of the two, & can predate the friendship/merger with Tres Outlaws.
the '3-D' effect of the toe stitching adds the xtra 'appeal' for me...
Me too. The pinched toe wrinkles are so much nicer than just a stitch line. One of the features that has been lost to cost cutting & lack of talent. Just like pinched roses & padded cactus tops. As you say, that 3-D artistic effect.

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I dont know if the white labels are from earlier or later.
 

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