Featured in this lot is this Deer Lodge Prison hitched horse hair salesman sample, circa second to third quarter 20th century. The salesman sample shows six horse hair tassels with finely braided knots and features a wonderfully and professionally crafted, fully hitched horse hair construction with geometric patterns. It also features coloration of light to dark brown in three varieties of colors. In the western United States, the history of hitching is intertwined with the history of territorial and modern day prisons in the western United States. It was the first hobby at Montana State Prison, dating back to the territorial prison in Deer Lodge. Charlie Russell, the famous western artist, wrote about men down at Deer Lodge “twistin hairs”. Other commonly known prisons for horsehair were located at Yuma and Florence, Arizona; Rawlins, Wyoming; and Walla Walla, Washington. The condition of this salesman sample is good, with no obvious signs of damage. The measurement from the crown piece to throat latch tassel is 13 1/4" and from cheek piece to cheek piece measures 4 1/2".

For a complete representation of condition please review pictures. Some items may have additional images, if so please visit our website directly. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition. Shipping info is clearly stated on LA and our website diretly, please do not use LA messanger for shipping quotes.