Montana Cowboys: 1939

Being a native Montanan born on a large sheep spread, this looks very much like home. It really hasn't changed much either, thankfully. I'll certainly never live anywhere else. As my grandfather would have said: "Well, I'll be go to hell, savvy photo ya got there!"

Thanks for the excellent photos, Dave.

Boone H
Roundup, Montana

Nothing else to add, just wow!

It's definitely a six-stringer, probably a "parlor guitar" --- a small-bodied instrument made for small venues.

See here: http://tinyurl.com/39lunt

and here: http://tinyurl.com/2gxxt4

That probably is a tenor guitar. These smaller guitars were popular because they're easy to pack along when out on the trail. Nowadays backpackers sometimes carry them. Martin makes a lot of these, and calls them "tenor size." (Elderly Instruments link.)

Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Can anybody tell if that's a tenor guitar? It looks like it has six strings, but the body's rather small.

Just curious how these light cans were powered in 1931?

Or are you suggesting it was shot in a studio?

I guess the items that appear to be light cans couldn't be logs on the old campfire...or some other non-staged artifact?

[These were shot outdoors at the Quarter Circle U. The lights were probably powered off a car battery. And the year is 1939, not 1931. - Dave]

It really does look like a movie still.

Note also that the photo staged the light cans to give the appearance of campfire. Between the haircuts and the phony set up, this smacks a bit of propaganda.

[There's nothing phony about it. It's one of more than 300 photographs Arthur Rothstein took of cowhands at the Quarter Circle U in 1939. A few examples below. - Dave]

Did you notice how everybody just had his hair cut. Quite short.

This photo is fantastic! Thanks, Dave!