Western guns such as Colts, Winchesters et al, have long been of interest to collectors.  As collector interest has broadened, prices have risen dramatically during the last decade.  The gun sector of Western Collectibles has been well documented for a long time.  More recently, collector awareness of other antique cowboy collectibles such as antique saddles, spurs, bits, horsehair bridles, chaps, boots, rawhide, and elaborate silver saddles, have increased significantly.  Their collectible values have increased through dealers and more recently, large auctions.  These auctions that once drew a few hundred folks 9 years ago, now draw over three thousand enthusiastic collectors.  Further, the Western Collectible shows have gone from four or five, 10 years ago, to over 70 today, which clearly attests to their popularity and expanded interest.            

The supply is limited, therefore medium to fine quality items bring very high prices.  The laws of supply and demand are clearly functioning.  As demand through additional buyers increased, prices of Western Collectibles have likewise.  The most interesting phenomenon is that the better, rarest pieces are being compared to fine arts such as Remington or Russell paintings and are demanding high prices. 

Fine art and identification with the cowboy are clearly at work in the Western Collectibles sector.  Of this group, silver spurs are probably the best known and consequently have had greater price increases.  A pair of spurs sold at auction for $42,000 several years ago.  Quality made old spurs with provenance can range in prices from $1,000 to $25,000 or more.  A view from afar on spur price trends get mixed opinions.  Some say as works of art, the better pieces are still under priced as compared to firearms or paintings.  Others say that spurs are clearly overpriced.  The same view would apply to silver saddles.  Good quality silver saddles can be purchased in the $10,000 to $20,000 plus range.

It is clear we are now in a period of steadily increasing demand.  As more publications and auctions continue to organize and document these materials, the collector base should easily broaden.  As that occurs, prices will probably continue to rise as there is a fixed supply of material available with increasing collector interest.  This supply is limited by the amount and types of items that were made many years ago.  A fixed supply and increasing demand obviously leads to higher prices.  Rarity and nostalgia are fierce driving forces to bring higher prices.