Authentic Antique 70ft Braided Rawhide Reata (Riata) W/ Bovine Horn Hondo
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- $295.00
- Sale Price
- $295.00
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A piece of early Western Americana: a completely intact, 4-strand braided rawhide reata (lariat/lasso) featuring a masterfully integrated horn-reinforced hondo.
This piece is an exceptional example of traditional California / Great Basin vaquero and buckaroo craftsmanship. Built entirely for heavy-duty ranch work, it features meticulous geometric knot work without any maker marks, indicating it was custom-crafted by a professional master braider (trenzador) for everyday functional utility.
Key Features & Specifications:
- Impressive Historical Length: Measures approximately 70 feet long (calculated via 19 tight concentric loops with a 14 inch outer coil diameter variance). Finding a surviving reata that has not been heavily cut down or shortened over its working lifetime is exceptionally rare.
- Premium 4-Strand Braid: Tight, highly uniform 4-plait construction measuring perfectly between 10.25 mm and 10.5 mm in thickness (approx. 3/8 inch). This was the classic "sweet spot" weight favored by early cowboys for carrying optimal momentum across a distance.
- Master-Crafted Horn Hondo: The eyelet loop is reinforced with a beautifully integrated, curved horn sleeve to prevent friction wear. The back features flawless interlocking herringbone/ladder whip-stitching to bind the shrunk hide to the horn core, anchored by a traditional multi-strand Turk's Head button knot.
- Heavy-Duty Tail: The tail terminates in a structural ladder-stepped finish with a robust hide thickness of 3.0 mm to 3.2 mm, giving the rope a weighted "popper" effect to assist with throwing and coiling.
Condition Report:
This is an authentic, vintage working cowboy artifact with a deep, rich amber-brown patina earned from historical ranch use, dirt, oils, and sweat. The rawhide has dried out naturally over the decades and exhibits classic surface cracking and stiffness.
Important Preservation Note: Because of its age and dry nature, this reata is being sold strictly as a premium historic display piece. It should not be forcefully uncoiled, pulled, or bent, as vintage rawhide can easily snap under tension. It is best kept safely in its current coiled shape for mounting or showcase display.