W.R. Thompson Batwing Chaps

A pair of studded card suit batwings by "W. R. Thompson Co. / Maker / Rifle, Colo." with outside pockets and nickel conchos on the legs and belt. The chaps show minimal wear with some surface scratches. 36" long by 20" wide, Belt 40". Ex. Dick Burdick Collection. W. R. Thompson became well known in the cowboy world of the late 1800s and early 1900s for his solid, well-made saddles and other leather gear. Based on Rifle, Colorado, he made everything from the plain, everyday working saddle to the fanciest show saddles. Perhaps the most important order in the saddle making career of William R. Thompson came in 1905. With President Theodore Roosevelt coming to Divide Creek for a bear hunt in April that year, hunting guide Addison Hockett of Eagle requested a custom saddle made for the president. This saddle was presented to Roosevelt when he began his hunt at New Castle, and it was in use during the entire three-week hunt.