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Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Performer's Beaded Gun Belt [153633]

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Performer's Beaded Gun Belt [153633]
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Beautiful leather beaded belt and two pistol holsters most likely worn by a Native American performer in a Miller Bro.'s Wild West show at the 101 Ranch, near Stillwater, Oklahoma (Marland Ranch). This belt is intricately beaded and has two gun holsters. The belt is about 39.5 inches long and was worn by a male performer. This piece is beautifully framed in a wooden frame with brads around the edges that spell out "Miller Bros. 101 Ranch." These brads are in the style of Indian gun markings.

The Miller Bros. began their Wild West shows in 1905, and toured it around the US and the world. There shows included some famous performers such as Geronimo, Bill Pickett, Lucille Mulhall, and George Elser. In 1916, the Miller Bros. combined and toured with Buffalo Bill Cody. By the 1930s, the Wild West shows declined in popularity and the Miller Bros. fell into debt. Most of their ranch land was divided and sold by the Federal Farm Security Administration. In 1938, a project began to convert the residence building on the 101 Ranch into a museum. This was a National Youth Administration project, part of the New Deal. However, by 1942, the war effort became more important, and the museum project was canceled. This piece was probably meant to be part of that museum, but was sold off when the project was stopped.

This belt has been wonderfully preserved in the original frame, and is in very good condition. Inside the frame is an original oval bras identification tag "101 Ranch/ Museum/ Marland, OK" The frame is also in very good condition, with only a few scratches around the edges. Overall size is 31 x 53.5 inches. This piece is one of the most personally prized of the Bracken collection.

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State: Oklahoma
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Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection