Hamley (Rodeo)

This is a pair of one of the most unique batwing chaps that we've seen in a while. The only marking that remains visible on them is the North & Judd (anchor) marked belt buckle. However, Hamley routinely used North & Judd hardware in the manufacture of their leather goods. This style of belt and the Fleur de Lis pattern of these chaps are both unmistakably of Hamley manufacture and were offered in catalogs from the Hamley company at the turn of the century and into the 1930's. This pair was certainly made by an expert craftsman who knew the job that his chaps would have to perform. Fashioned of exquisitely grained highest quality leather and adorned with what was the finest hardware available, the beautiful fleur-de-lis pattern stitched into a two-tone leather pair of working cowboy chaps. They even have a circle of sheepskin at the knees to provide additional protection and comfort to the wearer. The flash of the pattern looked great in the arena and the batwing open design gave a flair to every move the cowboy made - on horseback or astride a bull.

The leather is in good shape, supple and thick. There are areas of wear - in some cases through the leather- around the fleece-padded areas of the chaps. These areas saw the most use, as the cowboy would place a horse's hoof there for shoeing or when cleaning or clipping the hoof . He would have used that inventively padded area as a base for so much of the handiwork that he did.

There are three buckle and strap closures in the back. These chaps show their use by the cowboy owner, years ago. They measure 33.5 inches long. The belt is thickly cut with a scalloped edge by the front laces and heavily stitched. A fantastic example of chaps that were used by a working cowboy of the West.

All stitching is original to the period and there have been no repairs made. Dated to the 1920's to 1930's.

The Hamley family history goes back many generations to Cornwall England, where the trade of saddle and leather craftsmanship had been passed down through many generations of Hamleys. The American history of the Hamleys began in 1850 when William Hamley moved his family to Rupon, Wisconsin, where he opened a small leather goods store. His two sons, John James (J.J.) and Henry Hamley set out in 1883 with two railroad tickets and $10 in cash, bound for Ashton South Dakota where they established Hamley and Co. After three successful years, regional crop failures and the subsequent economic downturn forced them to move. They relocated to Pendleton, Oregon and set up shop on the Oregon Trail in the same building that is home to the company to this day. Hamley was known as a harness and saddle maker, but the business soon developed around it's saddles and became known throughout the West as the maker of "the finest saddles a man could ride".

In 1905, J. J. 's son Lester joined the family business. Four years later, he convinced his father to publish their first mail-order catalogue. In 1910, the Hamley company was instrumental in setting up the first Pendleton Round-up which is still an annual function today.

Their slogan was indicative of the high value they placed on quality and workmanship. Every Hamley catalog contained the saying that became synonymous with Hamley quality:

"QUALITY ARTICLES ARE MADE FOR MEN WHO ARE TIRED OF THE EXTRAVAGANCE OF BUYING CHEAP THINGS".

In 1832, the North Company began making saddlery hardware. In 1863, Hubert F. North and Lorin J. Judd founded the North & Judd Mfg. Co. In 1878, North & Judd began using the "Anchor" stamp to mark their pieces. By 1900, North & Judd employed 500 people. The North & Judd Mfg. Co. furnished products for the Spanish American War and World War One, and was in existence longer than any other spur manufacturer. In 1926, The North & Judd Mfg. Co. purchased the August Buermann Mfg. Co. and subsequently placed their Anchor Mark next to the Buermann Star.

(Also available by North & Judd - Early Steel Engraved Spurs)

Hamley Vintage Fleur de Lis Batwing Rodeo Chaps / Item #CH201 / $1,700.

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