![]() “To one, a bit might seem valueless, and then somebody else wants it, and the sky might be the limit on what will be paid for a bit,” Browning said. But, no matter what, a marked bit will be worth more than an unmarked one, even if the two are both 100 percent sure to be from the same maker,” the collector said. “Not all bits are marked, and it is possible in some cases to attribute an unmarked bit to a specific maker. One of the most important features of any collectible bit is the maker’s mark. If they have a name on them, they are the ones with value. Impossible for a lay visitor to remember and understand all of the descriptions, names and uniqueness of the collections. ![]() I watch the auctions pretty closely and go to a lot of them – some quite a distance, and attend a number of horse sales annually, too.” Browning commented. Found out what was more valuable, in demand, what I liked, and what I really wanted. ![]() “Then, after I retired, I spend more time at it. I started buying up bits, spurs, saddles about anything to do with cowboys and horses at auctions a long time ago,” Browning reflected. I was always attracted to horse equipment, too. I’ve ridden horses ever since I could get on one. We’ve built everything there is, had some contractors do part of the work, but I’ve helped and had a part in all of the construction,” Browning said. “I was raised on this place, only lived away from here about four years, and we’ve been back about 46 years. Merchandise tins and signs have been collected, are displayed and for sale in Sandy’s Country Store at the Circle B- near Emporia. Her country tins, which deserve and demand further discussion, are displayed in another barnyard building. Sometimes I might not know right where it’s at, but I’ll think where it is, and show it to you when I remember,” Browning contended.Īlmost every piece of “stuff” is identified with a small white tag indicating place, date and additional information of acquisition and merit.įurther indexing of the impressive collections might come, but Browning insists it’d have to be with prodding and cooperation from his wife, Sandy, who has her own collection of different sorts. What good does that do?” Browning wondered. So many collectors have their stuff boxed up so nobody can see it, and they don’t know where it is either. Whatever expected was surpassed as there are literally bits, spurs, saddles everywhere inside the very crowded, yet somehow very-organized 64-foot-by-40-foot red metal-sided structure. I’d like to have you see it, and tell you about it all,” Browning invited. Sandy and Larry Browning are at the gateway to their immaculate, picturesque Circle B- headquarters, northeast of Emporia, featuring bits, spurs, saddles, merchandise tins and a wide menagerie of other Western memorabilia.Īs the car door slams – the bit, spur, saddle display room and Western equipment repair shop door opens with a welcome from the grinning cowboy himself: Larry Browning. Larry Browning has a vast collection of bits, spurs and saddles at the Circle B- near Emporia.įoretold remarks as one approaches gateway to the picturesque handful of bright red buildings in the most immaculately landscaped headquarters for the Circle B-, northeast of Emporia, gives only mere inkling of actually what lies ahead. When there are more than 3,000 bits, about 300 pairs of spurs, and nearly 50 saddles on display, that’s a big bunch of stories, lots of reflected memories. “Because, once you get there, he won’t stop until you’ve seen it all,” the warning continued.Įnthusiasm glowed as the-74 year-old cowboy relished stories of every bit, spur, saddle and accompanying Western menagerie explaining almost intimately details of acquisition date, place, person, cost and follow-up research. ![]() “Plan to spend the day” was the warning of his son. Actually, the best description of “the stuff” is a cowboy’s tack “dream come true” or a Western memorabilia-collector’s “Heaven on Earth.” Truly, there’s about every bit, spur and saddle one could imagine, and then some. That’s a misnomer if a cowboy ever said one. “I don’t have much stuff, but someday I’m gonna.”
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